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Ragans had allowed only four hits in six shutout innings while striking out eight batters. It seemed puzzling that the Royals would take him out after 80 pitches, but the club announced shortly after that Ragans had calf cramps.

Clase made mistakes with consecutive sliders, and while the first one was fouled off, the second was sent 423 feet to right. Carpenter’s homer came in his second at-bat off the bench after he was held out of the starting lineup against a lefty, and it made him 3-for-12 four appearances into his first postseason. The ALDS is even at 1-1 as the two teams travel to Detroit for Wednesday’s Game 3.

That’s 13 scoreless innings in the postseason. Aided by a pair of double plays, Skubal faced just two batters over the minimum. It had to be difficult for the Tigers to pull him after 92 pitches, but that’s usually right around where he ends up and they might need him to pitch on four days’ rest in Game 5.

Brieske got the call over Jason Foley after Will Vest worked a scoreless eighth and struck out two of the three batters he faced. He’s made three postseason appearances and pitched hitless ball for 3 1/3 innings.

That’s the same thing Tanner Bibee did in Game 1, though since the game was scoreless, there was no win at stake today. Boyd allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five in his first career postseason start. He previously made one relief appearance for the Mariners in the 2022 ALDS. It’s likely that he’ll get the ball again if the series goes five games.

Clase would have allowed the go-ahead run to score in the eighth if not for a miracle catch from Steven Kwan in left field, though he wouldn’t have been charged with it in relief of Hunter Gaddis. Clase got the one out then and two in a two to start the ninth, but he then gave up two singles and the three-run blast to Kerry Carpenter. It was just the third homer he’s given up in 76 1/3 innings this season. He hadn’t given up multiple runs in an outing since Sept. 22, 2023.

Luis Gil is going to be a reliever for now, since the Yankees won’t need a fourth starter in the ALDS because of how spaced out the games are. Schmidt went 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts this season. He came in at 3.65 in five September starts after returning from a lat strain.

It’s Garcia’s first time leading off since Aug. 31. Michael Massey, who has been leading off against righties, is in in the lineup tonight, but he’s batting sixth. The lineup: 3B Garcia, SS Bobby Witt Jr., DH Vinnie Pasquantino, C Salvador Perez, 1B Yuli Gurriel, 2B Massey, LF Tommy Pham, RF Hunter Renfroe, CF Garrett Hampson.

Berti has never played first base in an MLB game but the Yankees will turn to him here in Game 2 of the ALDS. They wanted a right-handed bat in the lineup against Cole Ragans, so they’ll roll the dice that the long-time infielder can make the quick transition to a new position.

It will be a battle of left-hander with Suárez up against Jose Quintana. Suárez was one of the best pitchers in baseball over the few couple of months of the season but predictably settled in as just a solid depth piece in the rotation. He finishes with a 3.46 ERA in 27 starts but gives the Phillies a solid option in a crucial Game 4.

With the Tigers throwing left-hander Tarik Skubal, the left-handed hitter Naylor will take a seat in favor of veteran Austin Hedges.