MLB Player News

Contreras victimized his former team in the opening inning with a 364-foot (103.9 mph EV) solo shot off of Javier Assad. He then started the Cardinals’ go-ahead rally in the eighth inning with a leadoff walk and then raced home on Nolan Arenado’s go-ahead two-run single. He’s having an impressive season at the dish, slashing .273/.405/.517 with 10 homers, 24 RBI and three stolen bases in only 50 games.

Weaver had been untouchable at the backend of the Yankees bullpen in the playoffs, but couldn’t close the door on the Guardians in Game 3. Weaver was one out away from a four-out save when Jhonkensy Noel hit a game-tying home run deep to left field. The Guardians won in extra innings on a David Fry home run off Clay Holmes. Cleveland ended up winning this battle of the bullpens, setting up an interesting next few games between the two teams.

After Aaron Judge hit a game-tying home run off Emmanuel Clase in the eighth inning, Stanton followed with a go-ahead home run. After adding another run in the ninth inning, the Yankees had a two-run lead with three outs to go. It looked like Stanton was going to be the hero, but the Guardians came back in the ninth inning and won in extra innings. Stanton has three home runs, a 1.150 OPS and six RBI in the playoffs.

Noel was 1-for-15 in the playoffs entering play Thursday, but saved his best for a big moment. With the Guardians down to their last out in the bottom of the ninth inning, trailing by two runs in the game and two games in the series, Noel hit a game-tying two-run home run off Luke Weaver. Cleveland would go on to win the game in extra innings on a David Fry walkoff home run, but it shouldn’t be lost on anyone that Noel saved the Guardians’ season for the time being.

Fry pinch-hit in the seventh inning and walked. In the 10th inning, he hit a walkoff two-run home run off Clay Holmes to seal the Guardians’ victory in Game 3. It’s Fry’s second home run of the playoffs and the other was also a game-winning home run that came against Detroit in Game 4 of the ALDS. Fry will likely start Friday’s game on the bench with the Yankees starting right-hander Luis Gil, but he’s already proven that he can be a weapon as a pinch hitter in the late innings.

Schmidt gave up five hits, walked two and struck out two. The Yankees had a 1-0 lead when Schmidt gave up a two-run home run to Kyle Manzardo in the third inning. Those were the only runs off Schmidt on the day, though. It was a solid effort, though Schmidt hasn’t been quite as sharp during the playoffs as he was in the regular season.

Boyd gave up two hits, walked three and struck out four. Boyd is the first Guardians starter to complete five innings in the series. That length allowed the Guardians to use their best relievers in the later innings. He was in line for the win before Emannuel Clase blew the save in the eighth inning. A free agent after the season, Boyd is likely in line for a decent payday this offseason after posting a 0.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings this postseason.

Hamilton was replaced by Tim Mayza after appearing to suffer a lower body injury. It even looked like Hamilton may have turned his ankle on a warm up pitch as he attempted to stay in the game. Losing Hamilton would be a blow to the Yankees bullpen depth that they can’t afford at this point in the playoffs.

Taylor made a fantastic catch last night, but he’s just 4-for-29 with one RBI in the postseason. Apart from the switch in center, the players are the same as last night, though the No. 3 and 4 hitters have been flipped. The lineup: SS Francisco Lindor, 3B Mark Vientos, 1B Pete Alonso, LF Brandon Nimmo, RF Starling Marte, DH J.D. Martinez, 2B Jose Iglesias, CF Bader and C Francisco Alvarez

Freeman appeared to be increasingly hobbled as last night went along, so the Dodgers are resting him and his ankle against a lefty tonight. The lineup: DH Shohei Ohtani, RF Mookie Betts, LF Teoscar Hernández, SS Tommy Edman, 3B Enrique Hernández, 1B Max Muncy, C Will Smith, CF Andy Pages, 2B Chris Taylor.

It’ll be the first game action for Williams since Sept. 22, since even though he was on the roster as a relief option, he didn’t pitch in the ALDS. The 25-year-old Williams finished 3-10 with a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts this season, though his peripherals were pretty solid. He had a 79/32 K/BB and gave up seven homers in 76 innings.