Kicking off the first game of Wednesday's huge MLB slate is game three of the series between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies. The series is tied 1-1 as the location of the matchup for the next two games being at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The Braves are coming off a huge 5-4 comeback win over the Phillies this past Monday. The Phillies scored one run in the first inning, followed by two runs in the third and one in the fifth inning. Atlanta finally scored its first run in the series at the bottom of the sixth inning. They went on to score two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to take the 5-4 win.
Atlanta could've been in a dangerous situation if they hadn't sparked a comeback late in game two. The Braves would have gone into an elimination game three games down, 2-0 and the series would have been moved to Philadelphia. Instead, the Braves now have the advantage of momentum and the unknown decision of their starting pitcher.
As of Wednesday morning, the Braves haven't confirmed who will be their starting pitcher. This adds uncertainty to the game and likely makes the Phillies uneasy going into game three.
The Phillies are going into this game with their most experienced pitcher, Aaron Nola (4.46 ERA in 193.2 innings pitched). The Braves have experienced two huge slow starts in this series against the Phillies, despite ranking first in runs accounted for in the first inning (0.89). Both teams have shown potential for scoring as early as the first inning, so expect a run or two in the first inning in game three.
The Houston Astros have a 2-1 series lead over the Minnesota Twins and have a chance to close out the series on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Both teams have made the importance of creating runs early in the game critical. The first inning has been one of the biggest factors in the series, if not the biggest. The winner of all three games has scored in the first inning.
In game one, the Astros took game one with a 6-4 score after scoring one run in the first inning. The Twins were able to bounce back in game two with a 6-2 score as they scored one run in the first inning. Finally, on game three this past Tuesday, the Astros dominated the Twins in the first game in Minneapolis 9-1. The domination from Houston started in the first inning as the Astros scored four runs.
It is clear that the momentum of scoring as early as the first inning is critical for either of these teams. The Astros have the advantage in the series and the momentum.
Minnesota will have the pitching advantage going into game four on Wednesday. The Twins will be going into the game with their third-most experienced starting pitcher this season, Joe Ryan (4.51 ERA in 161.2 innings pitched). The Astros will be taking a big risk by going with their less experienced starting pitcher, Jose Urquidy (5.29 ERA in 63 innings pitched).
If there is one game in which the Astros can allow a victory in the postseason, it is this game. If the Twins win game four, the series will be moved back to Houston for the final game of the series.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been full of surprises since the start of the 2023 MLB Season. They had a great run in the regular season, swept the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLWS and now they have a chance to sweep their divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Wednesday in game three of the NLDS.
The Diamondbacks have jumped to huge leads early in each of the games against the Dodgers. In game one, the Diamondbacks scored six runs in the first inning. They embarrassed the Dodgers' future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw by scoring six runs in the first inning. Arizona won the first game with an 11-2 score.
The Diamondbacks followed their dominating game one performance by scoring three runs in the first inning of game two. The young, but talented batters of Arizona were able to score easily against the Dodgers' starting pitcher, Bobby Miller. The Diamondbacks won game two 4-2.
The Dodgers are looking to utilize a new strategy in game three of the series on Wednesday, just in case the Diamondbacks have another serious run in the first inning. Los Angeles will be starting one of their less experienced starting pitchers, Lance Lynn (4.36 ERA in 64 innings pitched). The Dodgers might have their better pitchers in for later in game three.
Arizona will be going with Brandon Pfaadt (5.72 ERA in 96 innings pitched) after starting their previous two ace pitchers in the first two games of the series.
There isn't a lot of reason to doubt the Diamondbacks, as they look to finish the series off by sweeping their rivals at home. Expect at least one modest run from Arizona to keep the bet on YRFI alive.
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