Yesterday saw the 2026 MLB Playoffs get underway with four games in the wild card round. The first game of the day was thrilling. The other three games didn’t live up to the first one with the White Sox 6-3 win being the closest of the remaining games, but even that game was 5-0 before Houston got on the board in the bottom of the 5th inning. In New York the Yankees spanked the Red Sox 9-0 and out in San Diego it was another beat down as the Padres topped the Cubs 8-0.
Before getting into the playoff game previews, I’m going to point out that we did have some Cincinnati Reds related news this morning as outfielder TJ Friedl elected free agency after being designated for assignment, clearing waivers, and being outrighted to Triple-A a week-and-a-half ago.
Philadelphia Phillies (0-1) vs Atlanta Braves (1-0)
This game will be available on NBC and Peacock at 2pm ET. The Phillies are facing elimination if they lose the game. There is no better time to hand the ball to your ace than right now and that’s exactly what they are doing as they send lefty Cristopher Sanchez to the mound. He went 18-7 this season with a 2.91 ERA in 207.0 innings where he struck out 231 batters. Atlanta is turning things over to former Reds starter Tyler Mahle. In his 27 starts this season he went 7-10 with a 3.99 ERA while throwing 149.0 innings and striking out 137 batters.
Chicago White Sox (1-0) vs Houston Astros (0-1)
This game is only available on Peacock and is scheduled to begin at 5pm ET. The home crowd wasn’t forgiving yesterday in Houston and the players were bothered by it. Of course that could be what happens when you are an 81-81 team and fall behind immediately.
The Astros have to win this one to stay alive. They will be going with Hunter Brown as their starter. He went 6-4 in his 20 starts this season, posting a 3.19 ERA in 107.1 innings pitched while striking out 124. Chicago is going to counter by sending Sean Burke to the mound. He made 27 starts and five relief appearances for the White Sox this season, going 11-7 with a 3.34 ERA in 172.1 innings where he struck out 185 batters.
Boston Red Sox (0-1) vs New York Yankees (1-0)
This game will be available on both NBC and Peacock at 8pm ET. Despite the final score being 9-0 in favor of the home team last night, this game was close for much of it. The Yankees led 2-0 entering the bottom of the 7th inning before scoring twice in the frame and then adding five runs in the 8th to put the game out of reach behind another outstanding start from AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler.
Boston will be sending out former Reds pitcher Sonny Gray with their season on the line. The 36-year-old went 18-5 this season in his 29 starts. He threw 169.0 innings with a 2.72 ERA and he struck out 149 batters. New York will counter with lefty Max Fried. He went 5-5 in 20 starts this season, posting a 2.80 ERA in his 112.2 innings where he racked up 104 strikeouts.
Chicago Cubs (0-1) vs San Diego Padres (1-0)
The game will only be available on Peacock tonight, with the first pitch scheduled for 10pm ET. San Diego dominated game one from start to finish. Michael King didn’t give up a hit until the 7th inning. The Padres scored two runs in the 1st to take the lead and it was 7-0 before Chicago even had a hit in the game.
The Cubs will be starting former Red Kevin Gausman tonight. Acquired at the trade deadline from Toronto, Gausman has made 32 starts this season with a 4.51 ERA to go with his 9-12 record. Over his 177.2 innings he had 184 strikeouts between the two teams. The Padres are turning to Nick Pivetta tonight. He missed much of the year after an injury in mid-April and didn’t return until September. Pivetta made eight starts this year with a 2.86 ERA in just 34.2 innings pitched.
Multiple outlets reporting derek johnson not expected back with Reds
I can’t find anything about this. Got a link?
Looks like Johnson news came from a Rosencrans comment on First Word show hosted by James Rapien. It was not an official statement.
This was Tuesday morning.
Thanks.
Yes, I am seeing the same. Not at all sure about “multiple outlets” and official reporting of a serious nature. This is C. Trent (though a respected reporter) speculating on a talk show (2:24):
https://www.youtube.com/live/9SjZ3SQdffk?si=bOlxRGKpUcfkR3Ea
All that said, it wouldn’t surprise me if he turns out to be right.
C trent yes
I guess others referencing him
I don’t know that anyone really thought that Johnson was coming back.
They have to replace him fairly quickly, though. It’s hard to put together a pitching staff, especially any new guys (or resigning Brock Burke), when the pitcher doesn’t know with whom he will be working.
I dont either but months of radio silence and first news that something may finally be moving forward on Reds pitching front
Not official news though. Speculation and rumors. Tough to tell these days, I realize. 😉
Still, as I said before, would not be surprised…
Go, (White) Sox, Go!
Amen to that! This from a card-carrying Roman Catholic and former altar boy!
Gotta root for the Pope’s favorite team even though it’s in Chicago!
Saw a video of Leo giving pizza for Communion and had quite a chuckle.
I wonder if, as a young man, he was in the stands at Comiskey Park on Disco Demolition Night.
Yep, was living in Chicago when they won in 05, what a team they had.
See where the Braves’ Game 2 hopes rest on The Nibbler, aka Tyler Mahle! Don’t like anything associated with Philadelphia so I guess I’m favoring Atlanta! Plus, my oldest son and his family lived in Marietta, GA for about 10 years!
There are some on here that are clamoring for the Reds to sign him in the offseason. He is pitching a good efficient game today but I hated to watch him pitch.
There have been some on here clamoring for the Reds to sign him this offseason. He is being efficient today. But I didn’t like watching him pitch
He didn’t look very good against the Reds a week or so ago.
Clamoring????
No one is clamoring
Its a good story for an ex Red coming back from injury playing an important role on playoff team
Indy Red used to always say bet the over on GABP games Mahle pitched
He was outstanding outside GABP
That said, singer needs to go, reds arent signing Skubal or any FA SP in the high rent district and they need at least 1 and maybe 2 vet SP or hybrid guys in 2027. Reds will be looking at pitchers with prior warts or prior injuries or aging out that dovetail into that 1 year $12-14 million contract slot
Sticking with seafood analogy, I see more Reds fans crab-bing than clam-oring.
In between all of the carp-ing?
Since the Reds aren’t in the conversation, I think I’d like to see a White-Sox — Brewers World Series. Rooting for the Sox given the Pope Leo connection. If Dodgers, Yankees, or Red Sox make it, I’m not interested.
I’d prefer a White Sox/Cubs World Series with Pope Leo throwing out the first ball.
Go Padres!
Fly the L, Cubbies!
As Reds fans, the best part of the playoffs, for us, is that in most years such as in 2026, they are 100% stress free.
No tension, no worries, no cares, no blood pressure spikes. We can just sit back, relax and let the other teams’ fans deal with it all.
True story, Rob! Ha ha
Tyler Mahle sure looked good for the Braves today.
That is a good point, but I felt it was kind of like that even when the Reds made the playoffs last year, as I think most of us thought they had little chance to win, so not much frustration seeing them lose.
I love watching my favorite teams play…but I think sports is usually more enjoyable when I don’t have a rooting interest.
The Reds were the loveable wild card losers last year losing to the Dodgers. The B. Sox take their place this year losing to the Yankees.
Mahle 7 innings 1 run 6k
Strong September comeback for him
Heading to FA
I have Bravos v. Phillies on (mostly muted). 7th inning with Olson up could be the tipping point. Brutal play by Harper – but he’s so far removed from playing RF.
Saw my Ophto today who happens to be a Philly man. He’s thinking it’s over and that was before they got this far today.
Casual Braves FanWagon – hope they can run the table across the board.
How was that not an error on Harper?
Never touched it … current “rules”
He broke the 1st rule of playing a fly ball hit over your head … which is you don’t drift and keep drifting you turn and run and look over your shoulder to track and make the catch.
I went back and watched the replay. The ball touched off the tip of his glove. I thought at first he missed it as well.
Feels like the Phillies window is closing to be a World Series contender…Harper and Schwarber keep them in it…boy it seems you wouldn’t want to give those 2 guys by themselves a chance to tie the game, but they’re hall of famer, all star players.
So much for their pitcher who is nails on lefties … 😮
I forgot the “free runner” rules change in the post-season
Ooops …
Way too close to take …
Line ’em up and play again tomorrow.
Well, gotta say, always interested in the best baseball and not always the most unusual but it’s difficult to look at the White Sox and wonder about a lot of what-ifs. That was one serious test of the fans’ tolerance for terrible. They may go 60-102 next year but they always have 2026 to remember.
Good to see two former Reds SP in the playoffs and doing well.
Well, Sonny Gray was good for a while for the Red Sox, but the Yankees look like they have broken it open now.
Puzzling as to why Gray was given the hook. Miller was bad last night and bad again tonight.
Red Sox manage to score a run, then send Crochet out and absolutely implode in the 6th at Yankee Stadium. Very tough to watch. Sonnt Gray deserved much better.
Padres with an early 2-0 lead.
Their fans definitely support their team. Even when they weren’t good, their stadium was always mostly full.
Their upper management made some bold, aggressive moves over the years. Some worked, some didn’t, but they certainly tried. Never scared. I think that’s all the fans really want. Have some guts to give your team a chance, instead of half-measures, or in the reds case…quarter-measures.
Broadcasters on NBC are suggesting the Red Sox need another big bat.
Knowing that there were rumors that they were showing interest in De La Cruz at the deadline and knowing what was written in the article from “The Athletic” last week about wanting to be more like the Rays, could the Red Sox put together a package to acquire him this winter? If Bob Castellini actually got out of the way and allowed it, Elly would be getting traded at his peak value. What would the return have to look like to even consider such a move?
The 1927 Yankee team.
Trade Elly and we’ll finish lower than last place next yr
It only makes sense if you can get 2+ players that turn into EDLC-like players in the next two years. Otherwise why bother. For example, Nationals ended up getting Wood and Abrams Mackenzie Gore (+ 3others) from SD for Juan Soto and Josh Bell ..then after 2 years traded Mackenzie Gore to Texas for 5 more prospects (of which Ortiz made it to MLB this year flashing some power)…even then doesn’t seem to help the Nats all that much (though I guess saved them lots of $$ for a few years).
I was wondering if the Red Sox were ousted quickly if they’d make a big off-season push for De La Cruz. Think the odds are low the Reds trade him, but Red Sox the type of team that could offer an interesting package.
Crochet really bad tonight and Bregman hasn’t done much for the Cubs. Both coming off injuries, seems maybe they weren’t quite ready for action.
LoL, Cubs choked again!! The biggest overrated team in the playoffs. I guess overrated PCA forgot to show up!! Hahahaha
I’m with you in those feelings, Kevin! lol
At least SD knocked the Cubs out.
The baseball situation in Boston is not good. I’m sure the possible trade of Elly is not off the table. It could mean a big haul for the Red’s, and make for an interesting offseason.
I don’t think they (Red Sox) have the talent the Reds would want to trade for Elly. I don’t think Elly would get traded until the 2028 season, unless someone made an incredible offer for him.
And then there were 9. Astrocheatingdogs out. CubswillbeCubs out. Greenmonstermen out.
I don’t think PCA is at all over-rated, and the Cubs pitching was decimated by injuries this year. Bregman getting hurt at the end of the season was a real downer for them, too. Because of their bad pitching at the end of the year, it’s not surprising that they are out early.
I would expect the Cubs to spend a lot of money and personnel to get better pitching next year.
Surprised (a little) at how easily the Padres beat them, but the Padres actually have a really good bullpen, on top of their starting pitching.
When it comes to the playoffs, it’s all about who’s not and who’s not.
The Padres didn’t look that strong when the played the Reds, but they finished the Regular Season with a real surge, and now they are feeling it !
I pick them over the Brewers, if for no other reason, than the Brewers don’t show anything in the playoffs, and that’s perennial. The Dodgers have to be favored over the Braves, because they are who they are.
The Rays vs. the Yankees should be the one to watch in the AL…
If Cleveland is ever gonna go to the Series, this should be the year. They win their division with 85 games, because Houston only snags 81 wins and tops their division. So, Cleveland gets a wild card bye. Next, they draw the 83 win Chisox in the divisional round. And what do you know, they are in the League Championship series and have played none of the league’s powerhouses (who all reside in the AL East). Get a break or two and they are World Series-bound.