PSO Premium Review: NLCS Game 3 & ALCS Game 4

1.  Unlike Ian Anderson, Kyle Wright can’t be viewed as a future rotation stalwart

The last PSO Premium Review focused on Ian Anderson’s amazing start in Game 2, but it was the complete opposite for Atlanta in Game 3. It was actually historically awful for Kyle Wright. He became the first pitcher in MLB postseason history to allow 7 or more earned runs in less than 1.0 IP. It’d be foolish to overreact to one start, but this isn’t just one bad game. If anything, it’d be overreacting to his impressive performance against Miami in the NLDS, because it was against…Miami. Wright has struggled his entire MLB career (6.22 career ERA), and while he’s still young enough to turn it around (25 years old), this might be the last straw for Braves fans that were holding on to optimism that the 2017 fifth overall pick could eventually live up to the hype.

2. Dodgers made a statement in Game 3

Another top takeaway from Game 2 was that despite losing the game, the Dodgers seemed to have figured something out in those later innings and that momentum could carry over into the rest of the series, which is exactly what happened. LA’s entire lineup contributed to the win in Game 3 with MLB playoff records being set left and right. Atlanta (or LA) didn’t have to use any key bullpen members so they’ll be well-rested entering Game 4, but with Clayton Kershaw vs. Bryse Wilson on tap for Thursday, it’s likely the Dodgers will be right back in this series and the first inning avalanche could be what ends up being a huge catalyst for LA’s third World Series appearance in four years. Statement made. 

3. The Astros leaders have been all-time postseason performers

For those baseball fans hoping the Astros would be swept in the ALCS were sadly disappointed when Houston racked up just enough runs to stay alive. Tampa Bay made it close thanks to their late resilience, but ultimately the leaders for the Astros stepped up as Jose Altuve and George Springer entered the top-5 on the all-time postseason HR list, tying Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle at 18 apiece. While there will be no broomsticks in either Championship Series, it shouldn’t be too long until the Rays are celebrating their second AL pennant in franchise history, despite Houston’s legendary leaders performing well in October.