Two walk-offs in two days in the NLCS, and a competitive ALCS heading into game three

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting key pitching matchups.

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting key pitching matchups.

Last week the LCS series started after a mix of competitive LDS series and less-than-competitive LDS series. The Braves are well-positioned heading West to LA, while the Red Sox put on a laser show in game two of the ALCS.

News & Notes

6 - Runs given up by the Braves in four games against the Brewers. Atlanta lost only one game in the series, a 2-1 game one loss in Milwaukee. They never looked back however, winning three straight and completely shutting down Atlanta’s offense.

6 - Dodgers pitches combined for only one run in the deciding NLDS game five in San Francisco. It was an all-hands-on-deck game for both teams, with Kenley Jansen getting the win, after pitching a perfect eighth inning, and Max Scherzer getting the save by doing the same in the ninth inning. The game ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Giants as first base umpire Gabe Morales wrung up Wilmer Flores on a questionable check-swing.

1.329 - OPS in the ALDS for Red Sox utility-man-turned-center-fielder, Kiké Hernandez. He was a catalyst in the series and critical to the Sox’ three game run to take the series at home in four games.

5 - Runs, the closest any game was in the White Sox / Astros ALDS series. Houston cruised in games one and two, to a 6-1 victory, then a 9-4 victory, before getting outhit by Chicago in a game three 12-6 loss. Game four wasn’t competitive at all, as it was entirely Houston in the 10-1 defeat.

2 - Consecutive walk offs for the Braves in games one and two of their excellent series against the Dodgers. A Chris Taylor running blunder ended the top of the ninth, and the Braves took advantage, scoring the game winning in the bottom of the ninth.

2 - Aggressive calls by Atlanta third base coach Ron Washington led to two critical runs in NLCS game two, which the Braves won in walkoff fashion. Atlanta did what they needed to do to position themselves favorable in the NLCS. This is the first time all season that Atlanta is favored to win the World Series, though it’s worth noting they had a 2-0 NLCS lead over LA last year as well.

3 - Kiké Hernandez home runs in the first two games of the ALCS. The man is absolutely on-fire this postseason, as he’s 6-for-9 with 16 total bases in the series so far. The Red Sox evened up the series, teeing off on Houston in game two, and launching grand slams in the first and second innings to take a 9-0 lead that held the entirety of the game.