Both ALDS series got underway on Thursday, kicking off the first full round of the MLB playoffs. The Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians each took a step forward in their quests for a World Series title, beating the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, respectively. Here's a recap of those games, along with a preview for all four of today's games:
Blue Jays 10, Rangers 1
This game was a blowout from the very beginning. Toronto reeled off five runs in the top of the 3rd inning, then two more in the top of the 4th to essentially end this game early. Pitcher Martin Estrada only allowed four hits and didn't give up a run until the ninth inning. Jose Bautista punctuated the win with a three-run home run in the top of the ninth.
Game 2 starts at 1:00 pm ET on TBS. Texas needs a win to avoid dropping into a 0-2 hole with both losses coming at home. Here are the projected lineups for the game:
Blue Jays
2B Devon Travis
3B Josh Donaldson
1B Edwin Encarnacion
RF Jose Bautista
C Russell Martin
SS Troy Tulowitzki
DH Michael Saunders
CF Kevin Pillar
LF Ezequiel Carrera
SP J.A. Happ
Rangers
LF Carlos Gomez
CF Ian Desmond
DH Carlos Beltran
3B Adrian Beltre
2B Rougned Odor
C Jonathan Lucroy
1B Ryan Rua
SS Elvis Andrus
RF Nomar Mazara
RHP Yu Darvish
Indians 5, Red Sox 4
This game was MUCH closer than the first of the day, as both the Indians and Red Sox traded the lead back and forth several times throughout the game.
Boston scored a run in the top of the first, only to be answered by Cleveland in the bottom of the second. The Red Sox answered with another run in the third, but then the Indians came alive in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Robert Perez all hit solo homers in the frame, giving Cleveland a lead they would never relinquish.
Game 2 starts at 4:30 pm ET on TBS. Cleveland will be looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead in this best of 5 series. Here are the projected lineups for each team:
Indians
DH Carlos Santana
2B Jason Kipnis
SS Francisco Lindor
DH Mike Napoli
3B Jose Ramirez
RF Lonnie Chisenhall
LF Rajai Davis
CF Tyler Naquin
C Roberto Perez
SP Corey Kluber
Red Sox
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Xander Bogaerts
DH David Ortiz
RF Mookie Betts
1B Hanley Ramirez
CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
3B Brock Holt
C Sandy Leon
LF Andrew Benintendi
SP David Price
Cubs vs. Giants Game 1
Perhaps the most notable divisional series of these playoffs starts today between these two heavyweights. The Chicago Cubs enter as the World Series favorites following a dominant 103-58 regular season, good for the best mark in baseball. But how will those expectations affect a young team and a franchise that has gone 108 years without a title?
For the San Francisco Giants, there are no such questions. They have won three World Series titles in the last six years and are coming off a big Wild Card win over the Mets.
The game is set to start at 9:00 pm ET on FS1. Here are the projected starters for each team:
Cubs
CF Dexter Fowler
3B Kris Bryant
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Ben Zobrist
SS Addison Russell
RF Jason Heyward
LF Chris Coghlan
C Miguel Montero
SP Jon Lester
Giants
CF Denard Span
1B Brandon Belt
C Buster Posey
RF Hunter Pence
SS Brandon Crawford
LF Angel Pagan
2B Joe Panik
3B Conor Gillaspie
SP Johnny Cueto
Dodgers vs. Nationals Game 1
This is a matchup between two franchises that have heavily underachieved over the last few years. Despite being World Series favorites, that Dodgers haven't been able to advance out of the NLDS each of the past two years - they are hoping to shake those demons. For the Nationals, they have failed to advance out of the NLDS since moving to Washington.
The game is set to start at 5:30 pm on FS1. Here are the projected starters for each team:
Dodgers
LF Howie Kendrick
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Adrian Gonzalez
RF Yasiel Puig
C Carlos Ruiz
CF Enrique Hernandez
2B Charlie Culberson
SP Clayton Kershaw
Nationals
CF Ben Revere
2B Wilmer Difo
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Clint Robinson
SS Danny Espinosa
LF Brian Goodwin
C Jose Lobaton
SP Max Scherzer