The MLB postseason is officially back, and Game 1 of the Division Series already dropped some bombs. For real, winning that first game is HUGE: 73% of the time, the team that takes Game 1 goes on to win the whole series, and a third of the time, it’s a freakin’ sweep. So yeah, the White Sox and the Dodgers kicking off their series with wins? That’s not just a good start, it’s a massive statement. Chicago shut down the Guardians 3-0, and the Dodgers beat the Braves 5-3, both immediately taking a 1-0 lead.
Playoff Teo Is Just Different
Okay, but let’s talk about Teoscar Hernández, because Playoff Teo is a whole different animal. The dude was scorching hot recently, and he just kept that fire burning right into October. In a game where offenses were quiet, with the temperature a blistering 100 degrees, it was a scoreless tie in the middle of the fourth. Then, boom: a one-out walk, and Hernández absolutely crushes one, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. That’s his 11th career playoff homer in just 38 games. Think about that! He’s hit one in each of his last six postseason series. Seriously, this guy turns it up in October. In 10 career NLDS games alone, he’s batting .324 with four dingers and 12 RBI. Before the playoffs, his manager even pondered a platoon situation in late August, but something just clicked for Teoscar. He went on a tear in his last 25 regular-season games, hitting .352/.433/.582 with five homers and 20 RBI. Kyle Tucker also joined the party, getting hot down the stretch himself with six homers in his last 22 games, and he added a two-run insurance homer in the sixth. When these guys are on fire, good luck to opposing pitchers.
Skubal to LA Was a Massive Miss For Everyone Else
But the real gut punch, the absolute facepalm moment for the rest of the league? Letting the two-time defending World Series champions, the Dodgers, get their hands on Tarik Skubal. What were they thinking?! Skubal, who’s not just an AL Cy Young winner, but a *two-time defending* AL Cy Young winner, was on the trade block in July when the Tigers just packed it in. And somehow, in a move that still makes no sense, other teams let him go straight to LA. This dude *dominated* on Saturday. The Dodgers are already stacked beyond belief, and then you just hand them one of the best pitchers in baseball? It’s like everyone else collectively decided to give them an easy path to another ring. You gotta wonder if those teams are kicking themselves right now. Protecting prospects is one thing, but letting a player of Skubal’s caliber go to a dynasty? That’s just naive, plain and simple.
So, Game 1 is in the books, and the Dodgers, along with the White Sox, have taken that huge first step. Tonight, we’ve got the Yankees heading to face the Rays at 6:30 p.m. ET, and then the Padres are taking on the Brewers at 8:30 p.m. ET. Every single pitch matters now, because as we all saw, getting that Game 1 win is like gold. The stakes are insane, and we’re just getting started. Don’t blink, folks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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