Miguel Vargas homers, reaches four times in loss

Back in August, Astros owner Jim Crane told the media that Joe Espada would manage the team for the remainder of the season and a decision on his future would be made after the season. Even though he’s unsigned going forward, Espada’s contract doesn’t officially end until the end of the month, so the Mariners needed and received permission to talk to him. In three seasons as the Astros’ manager, Espada has gone 256-229, winning the AL West in both 2024 and 2026, but the team underperformed this season and looked listless in a playoff loss to the White Sox.

Flewelling made a name for himself on the national stage with a home run in this year’s Futures Game, which led to him being named the game’s MVP. The 19-year-old hit .243/.364/.452 with 21 home runs, 67 RBI, and eight steals in 106 games at High-A this season and could begin next year in Double-A. Knowing how the Rays handle their prospects, he may still be two years away from his MLB debut.

The 2024 MLB Draft pick had a breakout season, becoming the first minor league catcher in 45 years to post a 30/30 season when he hit 32 homers and swiped 32 bases. He also slashed .252/.391/.531 in 123 games while climbing from High-A Asheville to Triple-A Sugar Land. While he may not supplant Yainer Diaz just yet, he could emerge as the backup catcher for 2027 and a potentially valuable bat on the roster.

Gasser threw four innings of one-run ball in Game 4 of the NL Division Series in the win over the Padres. The left-hander had a 3.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 103/35 K/BB ratio in 109 1/3 innings for the Brewers this season, and he has a 1.73 ERA in his last seven games (six starts). It’s unlikely that the Brewers let him pitch deep into this game, but they are up 2-0 in the series, so they may want to give their bullpen some rest if they see the chance to.

Ramírez remained sizzling-hot as the Guardians erased an early deficit to rally for a comeback victory in the opener of a best-of-seven series, scoring all seven of their runs in the sixth inning or later. The 34-year-old franchise cornerstone capped off a sublime three-hit performance by extending Cleveland’s lead with a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning. He’s gone 8-for-17 with two homers and eight RBI over his last four postseason games. The two teams will square off again at Tropicana Field in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Caminero slapped an RBI single into left field to give Tampa Bay an early advantage, but they were unable to hang on in the opener of a best-of-seven series. The big concern for the Rays moving forward is Caminero’s health after he somehow managed to remain in the contest following a massive collision with teammate Jonny DeLuca down the left-field line in the ninth inning. It looked like DeLuca got the worst of it, but the primary point of contact was Caminero’s left shoulder and ribcage. Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters afterwards that he got the wind knocked out of him and seems to be completely fine. All signs point to Caminero being ready for Tuesday’s Game 2 showdown at Tropicana Field.

DeLauter spearheaded Cleveland’s relentless offensive effort in this one as he tallied three hits, including a sixth-inning solo shot off Rays ace Drew Rasmussen. His most consequential knock was an eighth-inning double that set up a go-ahead two-run single by ensuing batter Nathaniel Lowe. He also drew a walk, reaching base safely in three of his five plate appearances. The 25-year-old rookie has fit perfectly with franchise cornerstone José Ramírez in the heart of Cleveland’s lineup, hitting .333 (8-for-24) with one homer and three RBI this postseason.

The Rays jumped all over Griffin in the opening frame as Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca delivered RBI singles. He managed to settle in afterwards, retiring nine of the final 10 hitters he faced after the first inning. He finished with three strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass. He was long gone from the contest by the time Cleveland’s offense came to life in the late innings to pull off a Game 1 win.

Rasmussen received an early two-run cushion and carried a shutout into the sixth inning before Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter connected for a solo homer. He was pulled after surrendering a game-tying blast to light-hitting backstop Patrick Bailey on his 91st and final pitch of the contest to lead off the seventh. Rasmussen finished with seven strikeouts and didn’t issue a walk. He’s in line to take the ball again for a potential Game 5 of the best-of-seven series. This felt like a missed opportunity for the Rays, who carried a lead into the late innings with their ace on the mound and a fully-rested bullpen before watching things unravel.

Contreras delivered an RBI single in the opening frame before connecting on a center-cut fastball from Dodgers lefty reliever Kris Bubic, sending a majestic 436-foot blast to left-center field to tie the ballgame in the fifth inning. It was his third round-tripper of the playoffs and fifth career postseason homer, which ties him with teammate Jackson Chourio for Milwaukee’s franchise record. He put the Brewers ahead with a sixth-inning single to left field off hard-throwing righty Brock Stewart before being walked on four pitches his next time up. The power-hitting 28-year-old backstop reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances to help give Milwaukee a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven NLCS. The series heads to Los Angeles with Game 3 on Wednesday evening.