Must-See MLB Highlights From AL Wild Card Game 1s

The opening day of the biggest MLB postseason field ever kicked off with some exciting events and plays that summarized Game 1s of the AL Wild Card Series. Under the new rules, seeds 1-4 will host seeds 5-8 at their home stadium for a three-game stadium in three straight days. Despite home field advantage, only the No.1 seeded Tampa Bay Rays walked out victorious in Game 1. Unlike Wild Card games in the past, this wasn’t a winner-take-all occurrence as these teams will have a chance to bounce back on Wednesday after witnessing some historic pitching performances and a 9th inning rally by the reigning AL champs to jumpstart what’s sure to be a postseason for the books.

Enjoy the best highlights from Tuesday’s MLB Playoff action all in one place:

*Via @MLB on Twitter/YouTube

Yanks Crush Bieber

The matchup of the day was supposed to be $324 million dollar man Gerrit Cole facing off against AL triple crown winner Shane Bieber. While Cole lived up to the expectations with 13 Ks & 0 BBs (highlighted in the section below), the inevitable 2020 AL Cy Young winner was roughed up in his MLB postseason debut as the Yanks offense had a field day when Biebs was on the bump as well as after his dismissal, during a statement Game 1 victory.

4 pitches in. 2-0 @Yankees. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/THM4vTo5gP
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020

Gleyber day!

The @Yankees are absolutely raking. 😳 #Postseason pic.twitter.com/BCdRJopzGt
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020

11 RUNS.

The @Yankees are making a statement tonight. pic.twitter.com/TgY11ZIUTj
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020

A #StantonSmash is the icing on the cake. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/DjU4BA80P9
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020

Aces Dealing

While the Yankees offense was the biggest headline in the biggest game of the day, the most significant story from Day 1 of the MLB playoffs was how effective most aces were in Game 1. Outside of Bieber, Lucas Giolito & Blake Snell took no-hitters into the 6th inning and Cole’s outstanding Yankees postseason debut made history. Even when Zack Greinke got pulled early, Framber Valdez (HOU’s #1 pitcher in 2020) stepped up with five scoreless frames to end the game.

What a postseason debut for Lucas Giolito. He throws six (6) perfect innings before allowing any base runners.

Finished the afternoon:

7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 R, BB, 8 K

24 batters faced
100 pitches (65 strikes)

Video: @TheDugoutSS #WhiteSox #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/ATI770SBP8
— Xavier Sanchez (@Xavier_Sanchez4) September 29, 2020

.@snellzilla4 was on one

He matched our postseason record for most Ks in a start pic.twitter.com/mEHWXJCn4I
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 30, 2020

First #Postseason test for @GerritCole45 as a Yankee?

Aced. pic.twitter.com/acP7p1uEbu
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020

FRAMBER VALDEZ, #59 today in his first post season won with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings from reliever, Good job..! @mlbnetwork @espn_beisbol @mlbcut4 @mlbfansrd @hectorgomez_27 @grandeseld @lasmayores @lidomrd @megaplayersrd @ARenLosDeportes @nikebaseball @ua__baseball pic.twitter.com/Jp3kKHdlmW
— Action Sport Montreal ASM (@actionsportmon1) September 30, 2020

https://twitter.com/handlit33/status/1311030771088531464

Astros GW Rally

The Twins have the more talented team in this ALWC series, but the Astros have the playoff experience that revealed itself during a 9th inning 2-out rally where Houston came out on top thanks to scoring three runs when it mattered most.

Three runs in the 9th and the @Astros are pulling away. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/cFL3QQtkh7
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020

Bare Handed Hot Corner

The Astros Game 1 victory will be remembered for their 9th inning rally, however, that may not have been possible without Alex Bregman’s clutch defensive play in the Twins opening set. With the bases loaded, Bregman bare-handed a ball at the hot corner and fired it over to first for a crucial final out to escape the jam and keep the Twins terrific offense off the board.

Lending a hand to work out of the jam. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/lo3KMQZKEL
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 29, 2020

ChiSox Trifecta

In addition to Lucas Giolito absolutely dealing against the A’s, Chicago’s offense flexed their muscles as one of the best power-hitting lineups in baseball, dropping a trifecta of bombs to fuel their first postseason victory.

The @WhiteSox are showing off their power. 💪 #Postseason pic.twitter.com/MBFaHJql2M
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020

Welcome to the #postseason, José. pic.twitter.com/XWyEz9C07z
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020

Adam Engel is the first player in White Sox history with a home run in his first career postseason at-bat. (via @SlangsOnSports)#ChangetheGame x @GuaranteedRate pic.twitter.com/uH33LTQu9H
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 30, 2020

Rays Put it Away

Another game dominated by an ace’s near no-hitter also benefitted from some offensive prowess but the Rays score runs much differently than Chicago. Tampa got their only run of the game from a wild pitch until Manuel Margot channeled his best Chi-Sox impression with a 2-run shot dagger in the 7th inning to provide enough insurance for Tampa to walk out with the only home win of the day.