After a look at all the series live on Friday night, the MLB Playoff Standings were active as all four LDS games were played. Check out the standings as we take a look at all of Friday's results and breakdown where each series stands as of Saturday afternoon.
A.L. Division Series
The ALDS opened up on Friday with both of their matchups. It was MLB's best, the Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays and the night closed with the Detroit Tigers at the Oakland Athletics.
The Red Sox dominated their Game 1 meeting at Fenway Park. They roughed up the Rays, winning 12-2, taking Game 1. Every Red Sox finished the game with a hit. Shane Victorino finished Game 1 with the most hits, three, scoring a run and driving in two. Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 2-4 with a runs cored and three RBI. Jonny Gomes scored two runs and drove in two.
Jon Lester went 7.2 innings of three-hit ball, allowing two earned runs on two solo home runs surrendered to Sean Rodriguez and Ben Zobrist. Rays' starter, Matt Moore, was hit with bad luck. The Rays finished the game with no errors, but there were plenty of miscues. Moore's ERA reflected the scoring, going 4.1 innings of seven earned runs posting a 14.54 ERA in this one.
Detroit Detonates Early, A's Fall Short
It looked as though Bartolo Colon's age had finally caught up to him in October as the Tigers pounded the right-hander, scoring three runs in the first inning. However, the Tigers' bats could not get the clutch hits, while Max Scherzer controlled the A's, surrendering only three hits in his seven innings pitched.
However, three runs of support against a great come-from-behind team like the Athletics was almost not enough for Scherzer. Yoenis Cespedes took the Tigers' ace deep, hitting a two-run bomb to make a one-run ball game. The Tigers' bullpen cut the drama, striking out five of seven batters faced to end the game.
N.L. Division Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to provide entertainment in the playoffs. For a team lacking playoff experience, they know how to rise to the occasion when a win is necessary. Pedro Alvarez was barbaric on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. There was no parley; no negotiations. Alvarez smacked a double, later coming around to score the game's first run, and then whacked a two-run shot to dead center. He finished the game with two RBI and two runs scored.
Rookie pitcher, Gerrit Cole went six innings of one-run baseball, allowing just two hits, one walk and striking out five Cardinals. The Pirates now have a chance to take the series lead as they will have lefty, Francisco Liriano taking the mound in what should be a roucus PNC Park.
Braves Battle, Ramirez Rakes
The Atlanta Braves were pushed to the brink, but they responded. Somebody buy Jason Heyward a cigar. At the moment, his 2-run base-hit up the middle with the bases loaded was considered insurance. However, after Hanley Ramirez stepped up in the eighth and smacked a two-run shot, making a one-run game again, Heyward's RBI were huge.
Mike Minor pitched like an ace for the Braves, going 6.1 innings, allowing one run despite constantly having runners on base. He got out of jams as his five strikeouts came in huge moments.
MLB PLAYOFF STANDINGS:
Rays 0
Red Sox 2 *Updated as of 10/6
Tigers 1
Athletics 1 *Updated as of 10/6
Pirates 1
Cardinals 1
Dodgers 1
Braves 1
