2024 MLB Wildcard Series Day 1: Live updates, playoff analysis

It’s MLB playoff time!

After an additional Monday of action to decide the final two postseason spots in the National League, eight teams were in action Tuesday as the 2024 MLB Playoffs began with the best-of-three wild-card round.

Action in Game 1 began with the Detroit Tigers defeating the Houston Astros, and the Kansas City Royals followed with a shutout against the Baltimore Orioles. Then, in a game with several lead changes, the New York Mets won against the Milwaukee Brewers. The San Diego Padres crowned the evening with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

We’ll provide you with insights, live updates and analysis from Day 1’s games, as well as something you should know for every Game 2.

Important links: Everything you need to know | Bracket | Picks | Watch on ESPN, ABC

Jump to: Takeaways | Live updates

Takeaways

Detroit leads the series 1-0

Before Jason Heyward sent a line drive into the glove of Spencer Torkelson, before the Astros’ bats came to life in the bottom of the bottom and before the Tigers were on the verge of losing their playoff opener in heartbreaking fashion, there was Tarik Skubal. The soon-to-be Cy Young winner did what he had done all season: attack with his fastball, confuse with his changeup, confuse with his slider and produce an up-and-coming team that no one here expected. Skubal held the powerful Astros scoreless for six innings, giving up four hits, walking one, striking out six and throwing 64 of his 88 pitches for strikes. He was hit in the wrist by a liner in the second inning, was dealing with cramps in his left side in the sixth inning, and none of it mattered. In his first postseason start, the best pitcher in baseball threw like that.

One thing you should know for game 2: Tigers manager AJ Hinch promised “pitching chaos” after Skubal. Game 2 begins with left-hander Tyler Holton facing off against left-handers Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez at the top of the Astros lineup. Reese Olson seems like a likely candidate to get the majority of the innings behind him. The Astros will turn to young right-hander Hunter Brown, meaning Yusei Kikuchi will follow in a possible Game 3. –Alden Gonzalez

---

Kansas City leads the series 1-0

In the 2014 American League Championship Series, the Kansas City Royals topped the Baltimore Orioles by six runs in four games. It was a treacherous series for Baltimore that still stings, and it’s remembered Tuesday afternoon when the Royals picked up another crucial postseason win against the Orioles.

Kansas City’s 1-0 win in Game 1 of its wild-card series at Camden Yards was picture-perfect for the Royals. They score more runs than they knock in, and they’re a team that uses excellent starting pitching to win. A walk and stolen base by Maikel Garcia, followed by a single by Bobby Witt Jr., provided the only tally. Six brilliant innings from Cole Ragans, followed by three relievers cobbling together three more scoreless innings, provided the pitching.

One thing you should know for game 2: It’s easy to forget how bad the Royals were a year ago. Although Baltimore was on its way to a 101-win season, Kansas City lost 106 games, an inordinate amount, the kind of defeat that doesn’t go away quickly. Now the Royals have two cracks at a win to send them to the Division Series at Yankee Stadium, with Seth Lugo – their co-ace with Ragans – facing Baltimore’s trade deadline savior Zach Eflin in Game 2. –-Jeff Passan

---

New York leads the series 1-0

The Mets were in clutch mode with their classic playoff win over Atlanta on Monday and stayed there a day later in Milwaukee. New York withstood Milwaukee’s initial burst of energy and put together potentially big innings with limited damage. That was thanks to Luis Severino, who lasted six innings throughout his outing despite traffic on the bases.

That was enough, but the Mets stepped up significantly in the fifth, recording five two-out runs against the dominant Milwaukee bullpen. New York won 5-7 with the runners in scoring position. Almost everyone pitched in, but the key hits were Jesse Winker’s rushing two-run triple in the third inning and Mark Vientos’ two-run go-ahead single in the fifth inning. Clutch all around.

One thing you should know for game 2: Now the Mets can finish things off on Wednesday when Sean Manaea takes the mound and looks to turn a lot of bad postseason history on its head. In three playoff games for Oakland and San Diego, he went 0-3 with a 15.26 ERA. That’s a lot to turn on its head – but then again, it’s exactly the kind of story the Mets have been turning on its head since the start of the season. –Bradford Doolittle

---

San Diego leads the series 1-0

The Braves’ hitters must have felt like they were standing in front of a pitcher throwing a whiffle ball at 95 miles per hour, because Michael King threw sweepers, sinkers and other pitches all from the same slot – and the ball moved and shot over the entire plate. He mastered his command so well, throwing 73% of his pitches for strikes, that he was consistently ahead in the count and forcing hitters to strike; There have been a few instances of right-handed batters chopping pitches in the left-handed batter’s box. Although King performed well for the Yankees, this was truly his first big moment on a national stage, and he had Game 1 to himself, striking out 12 and allowing no hits.

One thing you should know for game 2: Because of the dominoes caused by Chris Sale’s injury and Monday’s doubleheader, the Braves knew they would probably be very lucky to win Game 1 – AJ Smith Shawver making his first appearance in a major league game in 131 days . The Braves have a much better chance in Game 2 with Max Fried in the starting lineup. In his previous game, he was dominant in eight innings against the Royals. If the Braves lose this series, this will likely be Fried’s last game against Atlanta. He will be a free agent this fall.

Live updates