Oct 09

NLDS Games Two, 2023

Phillies at Braves, 3:07 PM PDT, TV: TBS

RHP Zack Wheeler pitches for the Phillies and LHP Max Fried goes for the Braves. Preview here. The Phillies lead the series 1-0.

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 6:07 PM PDT, TV: TBS

RHP Zac Gallen takes the mound for the D-Backs and RHP Bobby Miller does so for the Dodgers. Preview here. The Diamondbacks lead the series 1-0.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1949 During the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 10-8 loss to the Yankees in Game 5, officials turned on the Ebbets Field lights, making it the first time a World Series game occurs under artificial lights. The first scheduled Fall Classic night game happens when the Pirates host Baltimore for Game 4 at Three Rivers Stadium in 1971.
  • 1966 For the second consecutive day, the Orioles win a World Series game, 1-0, in a contest decided by a home run when Frank Robinson takes a Don Drysdale pitch deep over the left-field fence in the fourth inning. With the lone run scored on a homer, for only the fifth time in the history of the Fall Classic, and the complete-game shutout thrown by Dave McNally, Baltimore completes a four-game sweep over the Dodgers.

On this day in broader baseball history:

  • 1934 At Detroit’s Navin Field Commissioner Landis makes Joe Medwick leave Game 7 of the World Series for ‘his own safety.’ The Tiger fans, upset with his aggressive slide into third baseman Marv Owen, respond by hurling fruit at the outfielder during the Cardinals’ 11-0 series-clinching victory.
  • 1996 Derek Jeter, with the Yankees down 4-3 in the eighth inning, ties the game with a fly ball to right field ruled a home run by umpire Rich Garcia, despite the protest of spectator interference that prevented the ball from being caught by outfielder Tony Tarasco and the Orioles manager Davey Johnson. Video replay clearly shows 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier reaching over the fence and bringing the catchable live ball into the stands, forever changing the outcome of Game 1 of the ALCS and, many believe, of the series.
Oct 09

NLDS Games Three, 2017

First game: Nationals at Cubs, 1:00 PM PT, TV: TBS

The series is tied at one. Today the Nationals send last year’s Cy Young winner RHP Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA) to the hill to face the Cubs’ LHP Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15 ERA). Scherzer’s first postseason appearance this year has been delayed while his right hamstring healed, but he and the doctors say he’s healthy now. He’s got a 2.92 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs. Quintana came over from the crosstown White Sox in July and was 7-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 14 starts for his new team. This will be his first postseason start and the first time he’ll face the Nats. Scherzer has made 14 appearances in the postseason (12 starts) but only two for the Nationals.

Second game: Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 7:00 PM PT, TV: TBS

The Dodgers acquired RHP Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86 ERA) with the postseason in mind, and now it’s here. He’ll face ex-Dodger now D-Back RHP Zack Greinke (17-7, 3.20 ERA). Darvish was 6-4 with a 2.44 ERA on the road this season, while Greinke was 13-1 with a 2.87 ERA at home. Darvish has made two postseason appearances in his career, both with Texas, and is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA. Greinke has made ten postseason appearances and is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1949 During the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 10-8 loss to the Yankees in Game 5, the Ebbets Field lights are turned on, making it the first time a World Series game has been played under artificial lights. The first scheduled Fall Classic night game will not take place until 1971, when the Pirates host Baltimore for Game 4 at Three Rivers Stadium.
  • 1966 For the second consecutive day, the Orioles win a World Series game, 1-0, in a contest decided by a home run when Frank Robinson takes a Don Drysdale pitch deep over the left field fence in the fourth inning. With the lone run being scored on a homer, for only the fifth time in the history of the Fall Classic, and the complete-game shutout thrown by Dave McNally, Baltimore completes a four-game sweep over the Dodgers.

Also, this is the anniversary of the Jeffrey Maier game in 1996 when he leaned over the wall and caught a Derek Jeter fly ball. It was ruled a home run despite clear evidence that he interfered with Baltimore outfielder Tony Tarrasco’s attempt to catch it.

In 2005 the Astros won the longest postseason game in history, beating the Braves in 18 innings on a Chris Burke walkoff home run to take the NLDS and advance to the NLCS.

Lineup when available.