MLB Wild Card Weekend: Guardians, Mariners, Phillies & Padres Advance to Divisional Series
The MLB’s best-of-three Wild Card weekend saw three series sweeps and just one Game 3 on Sunday, but it was an action-packed playoff-opening weekend across the board. And now, only eight teams remain. The Guardians and Mariners (AL) won close games to sweep the Rays and Blue Jays, respectively. Cleveland needed a 15-inning thriller to oust the Rays in Game 2. In the National League, the Phillies sent the Cardinals packing in two gritty games before the Padres and Mets went to Game 3 where Joe Musgrove delivered the knockout punch. Despite 101 wins and a spectacular 2022 campaign, the New York Mets are already out.
Here’s how each series played out over the weekend:
MLB Wild Card Weekend
AL: Guardians def. Rays (2-0)
Cleveland and Tampa Bay had the lowest-scoring battle in Wild Card weekend. A combined four runs in two games didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, but the Guardians found a way. In Game 1, it was a decisive solo blast from Jose Ramirez that supported a gem from Shane Beiber (2-1). In Game 2, both defenses clamped up to produce a scoreless tie through 15 innings until Oscar Gonzales crushed a walk-off homer (1-0). Cleveland returns to the ALDS for the first time since 2018. They’ll face the Yankees on Tuesday.
Watch: Game 1 Highlights | Game 2 Highlights
AL: Mariners def. Blue Jays (2-0)
The longest playoff drought in American professional sports came to an end when the Mariners secured their spot in the postseason, and now they’re moving on. Seattle blanked Toronto in Game 1 on Friday (4-0). In Game 2, the Mariners came back from a seven-run deficit to tie the game in the 8th inning (9-9) before winning it in the 9th on an Adam Frazier RBI double (10-9). It was the second largest comeback in MLB Playoff history, and it sets the stage for Mariners-Astros in the ALDS.
Watch: Game 1 Highlights | Game 2 Highlights
NL: Phillies def. Cardinals (2-0)
The Phillies returned to the postseason for the first time since 2011, and they made the most of it. St. Louis held a 2-0 lead in Game 1 before Philadelphia tallied a six-run 9th inning to take control of the series (6-3). In Game 2, Aaron Nola tossed 6.2 innings of shutout ball while a Bryce Harper home run sent Philly back to the NLDS (2-0). They’ll face the Braves in an NL East showdown.
Watch: Game 1 Highlights | Game 2 Highlights
NL: Padres def. Mets (2-1)
The story of the Padres in 2022 has been a rollercoaster after signing Juan Soto but losing Fernando Tatis Jr. for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Nevertheless, San Diego reached the playoffs to face the Mets. The Padres rocked Max Scherzer in Game 1 (7-1) before New York turned to Jacob deGrom for a Game 2 equalizer (7-3). In a decisive Game 3, Padres’ ace Joe Musgrove was absolutely masterful. He gave up one hit and zero runs in seven innings while the Friars added six runs of support (6-0) to send the Mets packing early after a memorable 101-win season. It’s Padres-Dodgers in the NLDS.
Watch: Game 1 Highlights | Game 2 Highlights | Game 3 Highlights
Upcoming MLB Playoff Schedule
NLDS Gm 1: Phillies at Braves (Tues. 1:07 pm ET)
ALDS Gm 1: Mariners at Astros (Tues. 3:37 pm ET)
ALDS Gm 1: Guardians at Yankees (Tues. 7:37 pm ET)
NLDS Gm 1: Padres at Dodgers (Tues. 9:37 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
MLB: Musgrove’s 1-Hitter Sends Padres Past Mets & Onto NLDS
Yahoo! Sports: Guardians’ Oscar Gonzalez Hits Walk-Off HR in 15th
CBS Sports: How Last 8 Teams Remaining in 2022 Playoffs Stack Up Ahead of LDS
