MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Brewers and Dodgers
The Brewers proved their way can beat anyone, including the Dodgers, and Milwaukee came into its NLCS rematch determined to show the outcome would be different. In Game, Milwaukee outlasted Los Angeles 2-1 behind a Turang homer, a win that came after the Brewers had failed to score more than one run in any game of a four-game sweep by the same club earlier in the playoffs. Manager Pat Murphy praised his team's resilience in the aftermath.
Los Angeles faces its own questions. Shohei Ohtani's lingering injuries will determine whether he plays in Game, with the club's decision hinging on his health. Meanwhile, Miguel Rojas remains on the NLCS roster after being sidelined by a back issue.
Guardians and Rays
The Guardians stole Game 1 on the road, winning 7-3 over Tampa Bay as DeLauter and Ramírez ignited the offense, while the pitching staff held the Rays to a single run over the final eight innings. Cleveland enters the series after a whirlwind Game 5 and cross-country flight, a contrast to Tampa Bay's rest-heavy path that has sparked debate over rest versus rust.
Both clubs made minor roster moves. Tampa Bay added rookie right-hander Brody Hopkins and dropped Garrett Cleavinger, while Cleveland made one change of its own. Guardians manager named Tampa Bay native Parker Messick to start Game, a homecoming of sorts for the young pitcher.
Postseason Umpiring and Analysis
Robot umpire challenges are favoring hitters in the playoffs, with batters succeeding on ABS challenges more often than in the regular season. In the American League, the White Sox collapsed after squandering a 2-0 ALDS lead, striking out 21 times and managing just three hits in the decisive Game.
ESPN's panel has ranked the four remaining clubs and offered predictions for both championship series. Analysts also examined how each of the four surviving teams was assembled, from superstar signings to under-the-radar finds.