Get ready for a thrilling day of intense playoff baseball! Today’s action features a quadrupleheader, highlighting two potential series-ending games and two more critical Division Series Game 3s.

The excitement kicks off as the Detroit Tigers host their first playoff match in a decade at Comerica Park, while the Los Angeles Dodgers brace for their final showdown against the San Diego Padres. Expect nine hours of gripping postseason action.

This marks the last day with such a packed schedule until 2025, and notably, all four Division Series are tied at 1-1. With this crucial day approaching, YSL News Sports offers a rundown of what to keep an eye on:

Guardians vs. Tigers, 3:08 ET (TBS): Speeding Up the Game in Motown

After playing in the tight surroundings of Cleveland’s Progressive Field, the Guardians and Tigers head back to the wide-open space of Comerica Park, with their ALDS series level at 1-1.

The Tigers are eager to showcase their speed on the bases in front of their home crowd.

Detroit dominated the majors with a 49% rate of advancing bases in 2024, and after a motivating meeting in August from third base coach Joey Cora, they’ve been aggressive with their baserunning, leading the league in first-to-third attempts.

Following a shaky start in Game 1 where the Guardians scored five runs before the Tigers could respond, the series now seems much calmer. Since then, Cleveland has only managed two runs over 17 innings, and Detroit has provided just one key hit—a three-run homer by Kerry Carpenter against Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase in Game 2.

With the series now tied and returning to Tigers territory, they’ve had a day off to rest their bullpen. Right-hander Alex Cobb will start for Cleveland, allowing the Tigers to reinsert the speedy Parker Meadows at the top of their lineup.

Although Comerica can be tricky for hitters, don’t underestimate the Tigers; they could snag another victory against the AL’s top team.

Phillies vs. Mets, 5:08 ET (FS1): A Possible Farewell?

Mets star Pete Alonso faces what could be his last game at Citi Field—an occurrence he first experienced back on September 22 when the Mets wrapped up their home season with a victory over Philadelphia.

This sparked a tense streak of elimination baseball, leading to 10 straight away games, culminating in Tuesday’s Game 3 at home against the Phillies.

Alonso ensured that the electric atmosphere continued with a second-inning homer off Aaron Nola, maintaining the Mets’ lead in what became a decisive 7-2 win.

Today, Alonso, a free agent and four-time All-Star, may very well be playing his last game in Flushing, but he’s likely to turn that outcome around.

The Mets currently lead the NLDS 2-1, with two opportunities to eliminate the Phillies: either in Game 4 with Jose Quintana or back in Philadelphia against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.

However, the pressure now sits firmly on the Phillies’ shoulders.

Throughout much of this series, the Phillies have struggled at the plate, with only a slight comeback in Game 2. Their confidence rests on the shoulders of Ranger Suarez; despite being a clutch playoff performer, he hasn’t had the best finish to the regular season.

It raises the question: are the Phillies letting this opportunity slip away?

With 95 regular season wins, any initial enthusiasm feels muted. Fans can’t shake the discomfort of regression after recent successes—NL pennant winners in 2022, NLCS runners-up in 2023, and now facing elimination in 2024.

This evening promises to be tense for both teams—while the Mets will be filled with hope, the Phillies will likely feel the weight of dread.

“This whole experience,” Alonso remarked after Game 3, “has just been incredible.”

Yankees vs. Royals, 7:08 ET (TBS): Just Like Old Times?

After a lengthy 17-day road trip, the Royals have finally returned home. Salvador Perez is reminiscing about how 2015 “feels just like yesterday.”

The Royals are hoping for a repeat of that success. Their iconic ballpark will host its first two playoff games since their World Series victory over the Mets in 2015. Perez, a respected catcher likely headed for the Hall of Fame, is the only player left from that championship team.

This scenario presents a challenging situation for the Yankees.

The teams are tied 1-1 in this AL Division Series (ALDS), and they now face veteran right-hander Seth Lugo, who previously faced them at Yankee Stadium about a month ago, achieving a remarkable 10 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings. Although the Yankees have confidence in their starter, Clarke Schmidt, he has only made five starts after spending almost four months off due to a strained right lat.

It would be beneficial if Schmidt could pitch deep into the game. At present, the Yankees’ bullpen is the only part working well, having pitched 9 ⅓ innings and allowing just one run.

This performance feels unsustainable. The Royals have scored nine runs across two games, despite their star shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr., struggling at 0 for 10 with four strikeouts.

Witt will receive a much warmer welcome in Game 3. The Yankees should aim to leave town with their season intact, which means they need to secure a win either Wednesday or Thursday night.

“Now the boos will be directed at them, not us as it was in New York,” Perez remarked on Tuesday. “I’m super excited. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Dodgers-Padres, 9:08 ET (FS1): Aiming for Victory

It’s shaping up to be chaotic.

This unpredictable NLDS is likely to conclude in Game 4, with San Diego pitching ace Dylan Cease on three days’ rest in hopes of putting the Dodgers away for good.

The Dodgers have had a tumultuous October, once filled with high expectations for the postseason, only to suffer various bizarre setbacks, some of which were self-inflicted.

Now, they are looking at two consecutive years of entering the playoffs with uncertain pitching rotations, leading to significant failures, as seen in the previous two NLDS. If they lose again, it will mark a third straight elimination in the NLDS—twice at the hands of the Padres.

Contrarily, these Dodgers have shown resilience; while they lost a crucial Game 3 against the Padres at Petco Park 6-5, their effort to rally from a 6-1 deficit and push the Padres’ relievers to their limits is commendable.

The challenge now is to build on that momentum with the upcoming starting pitcher.

“It’s going to be a bullpen game,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after Game 3. “I anticipate one of our relievers will be starting.”

Nonetheless, the Dodgers are facing more than just pitching issues. Shortstop Miguel Rojas has aggravated his adductor injury, and first baseman Freddie Freeman struggled to complete nine innings due to an injured ankle, although he did manage to get a hit before leaving the game.

L.A. succeeded against Cease in Game 1, primarily thanks to Shohei Ohtani, who turned around an early deficit with a powerful three-run homer. Padres manager Mike Shildt noted that Cease will have “some bullets” left for Game 4 and claims his bullpen is ready, even though they faced pressure in four high-stress innings Wednesday.

“It’s great to get the two wins,” said Shildt, “but we won’t celebrate until we achieve three.”