So yeah, it was a good thing the Jays beat the Yankees in the wild card game. Not that we couldn't have beaten the Yankees, but after going 8-11 vs New York I much preferred Toronto and you can see why. Jack Leiter was brilliant again in pitching us to the sweep, with only one bad sequence where he went single-walk-homer and allowed the Jays to get back within 4-3. But the Rays immediately broke it open again on homers from Jasson Dominguez and Connor Kirkley, who ended up being named Series MVP. Probably shouldn't have pushed Jordan Diaz to a 2nd inning as he gave up a 2-run HR to Aaron Judge to make it briefly interesting at 8-5, but JDLC came on and got a double play on his 3rd pitch to end the game and the series. Still hoping Christian Little is good to go for Game 1 of the ALCS barring any further setbacks. Speaking of injuries, Bobby Witt Jr had to come out with back stiffness, a moderate injury which may or may not lead to him missing Game 1. Of course Isaac DeLeon is a more than capable replacement.
Advantage Rangers as they capitalized on the wildness of Detroit pitchers, who walked 9 in the game including a couple in the decisive 9th inning when Edgar Medina delivered the game-winning hit. Adam Lukas has had a nightmare series as Detroit closer, losing the two games the Tigers have lost. And it's an all-NL West NLCS as the Dodgers complete the series win over the Columbus Lightning who showed their inexperience on the playoff stage. Cristian Rodriguez had a huge series for Columbus, though, and was named Series MVP despite being on the losing end. Surprised Austin Meadows didn't get it as he homered for the third time tonight for the winners.