Chicago White Sox Beat Houston Astros 7-3- The Chicago White Sox won their first postseason series since 2005, and Game 5 highlighted exactly why they can win it all. They took advantage of errors and showed that they have enough power in their lineup to really make a run. Chase Meidroth’s three-run home run sealed the deal in the sixth inning.
Aside from the score, Luisangel Acuña entered the game as a pinch runner and stole two bases. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he and his brother Ronald Acuña Jr. became the first brothers to steal multiple bases in the same postseason.
Philadelphia Phillies beat Atlanta Braves 4-3(10)- The Phillies slugged their way to a Game 3 in Atlanta. After misplaying a fly ball in right field and allowing the Braves to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, Bryce Harper hit a game-tying home run in the eighth inning, right after Kyle Schwarber cut the deficit to one.
The Phillies will have Aaron Nola on the mound fr Game 3, but it’s all hands on deck. Harper started the year off by hitting a two-run game-tying home run in the World Baseball Classic final. Wednesday’s home run was a reminder of how clutch he is, but he still has to come through in Game 3.
The Braves’ big three of Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin have been quiet in this series, but there is still time to change that.
New York Yankees beat Boston Red Sox 9-2- Even without Aaron Judge, the Yankees dominated the Red Sox. The Red Sox lost Roman Anthony in Game 1. He had been dealing with an injury for most of the year, but having him healthy could have changed the outlook of the series.
Anthony thrived in the World Baseball Classic, proving he can impact the game in big moments. The Yankees stars showed up in the Bronx, with Luis Garcia Jr. hitting his first postseason home run.
San Diego Padres beat Chicago Cubs 4-1- Game 2 of this series was closer, but the Cubs’ offense disappeared in the biggest moments. The Cubs went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman both went hitless in the series, and in Game 2, Gavvin Sheets’ pinch-hit two-run home run essentially sent San Diego to Milwaukee.