The MLB Playoffs Standings were hit with dramatic games Tuesday night. The ALDS stole the show as the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers were all in action. The NLDS took a rest and the American League teams did not disappoint. While the NLDS took a rest, the American League teams did not disappoint in both of their games played today. Did anybody advance or get eliminated from the standings?
The Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers continue to provide the best playoff action thus far. The Tigers turned the table on the Athletics, this time coming from behind to win the game.
The Tigers trailed 0-3 when Jhonny Peralta stepped up and smacked a three-run shot to tie things up. The score went back and forth, but the Tigers put up three in the bottom of the eighth, taking a comfortable 8-4 lead.
However, the A's could not sit back and just take the loss without running everybody's nerves up a few notches at Comerica Park. Yoenis Cespedes poked a single to center, driving in two runs and making it a two-run ball game with the tying run at the plate. Tigers' closer, Juaquin Benoit did not tremble, Seth Smith to kill the threat and finish the game. The victory tied the series 2-2 and the Tigers now have a chance to steal the series, continuing the A's inability to close out playoff series.
Big Bats-
Athletics- Coco Crisp went 4-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Jed Lowrie's back woke up as the shortstop went 2-4 with two runs scored and three RBI.
Tigers- Victor Martinez 3-4 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. His home run was very controversial as Josh Reddick appeared to have a beat on it and seemed capable of hauling it in, saving the run.
Jhonny Peralta- 2-3 with one run scored, home run and three RBI.
The series shifts back to Oakland, like 2012, where either team will have a chance to take Game 5, advancing to the A.L. Championship Series.
Red Sox on Road to ALCS
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in a close and exciting game that saw a lot of duels and tense moments. The final score was 3-1 and still, it does not adequately tell the full tale of how close this game was.
It was evident Rays' manager Joe Maddon did not want to lose this game. As soon as Jeremy Hellickson sniffed up trouble in the second inning, he was gone. Maddon had no fear going to the pen, bringing in Jamey Wright, a veteran right hander who pitched a scoreless inning. Maddon followed with lefty and Game 1 starter, Matt Moore. He went two scoreless innings, keeping the game 0-0.
In total, the Rays used nine pitchers, and it was Jake McGee who spoiled the Rays' amazing pitching. He was wild and helped the Red Sox score their first run of the game by throwing a wild pitch. Shane Victorino waved in rookie Xander Bogaerts and Jacoby Ellsbury moved to third. Then Victorino drove him in with two outs, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.
Fernando Rodney also struggled and there was no bow and arrow applicable in this situation. Rodney loaded up the bases and Chris Archer came in to clean up the mess. However, Dustin Pedroia drove in Boagarts from third and the Rays added insurance, taking a 3-1 lead. Wesley Wright was the last pitcher in Maddon's bullpen and he also got some action.
The Red Sox should be pleased with what Jake Peavy gave them in his 5.2 innings, surrendering one run on five hits on no walks, while recording three strikeouts. The Rays opened up the scoring after a base hit from David DeJesus, scoring the red hot Yunel Escobar, who finished 2-2 with a run scored. However, this was all they got from their offense as the Red Sox bullpen pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball.
Here are the ALDS MLB Playoff Standings entering Wednesday morning.
Oakland A's- 2
Detroit Tigers- 2
Boston Red Sox- 3 (Win)
Tampa Bay Rays-2
Los Angeles Dodgers 3 (Win)
Atlanta Braves 2
Pittsburgh PIrates- 2
St. Louis Cardinals- 2