Game 1 of ALDS & NLDS: Winners, losers & MVPs ft. Shohei Ohtani, Alex Verdugo & more
The 2024 MLB postseason is in full swing as Game 1 of the ALDS and NLDS commenced on Saturday with all the remaining eight teams in action. All four games of the day had a fair share of drama, leaving fans with plenty of talking points.
Following the conclusion of the first round of games, we recap how the action unfolded on another entertaining day of October baseball.
ALDS Game 1
Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers were on cloud nine after eliminating contenders Houston Astros in the wild card series. However, Saturday's ALDS opener against the Cleveland Guardians was a rude awakening for A.J. Hinch's team.
The Guardians were on the offense from the get-go, highlighted by Lane Thomas' three-run home run in a five-run inning for the hosts at Progressive Field. David Fry added an RBI double in the sixth inning to help complete a comprehensive 7-0 shutout win.
MVP
Outfielder Lane Thomas was the MVP for the game as his three-run homer in the first inning set the tone for the Guardians.
New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals
The two division rivals met for the first time in the postseason in over four decades, and fans were left asking for more. The Yankees and Royals traded blows as the teams exchanged leads five times, the most in a postseason game in MLB history.
The Yankees squeezed a 6-5 win on the night as the bullpen, which has faced criticism during the regular season, stood tall to deny a late comeback from the Royals.
Meanwhile, the Royals will be gutted after the narrow defeat as they squandered the lead on three occasions in the series opener.
MVP
While Gleyber Torres' two-run home run sparked the Yankees offense into life in the third inning, it was the former Boston Red Sox man Alex Verdugo who came in clutch with an all-important go-ahead RBI single in the seventh.
NLDS Game 1
Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets
Take the New York Mets lightly at your own peril. The Philadelphia Phillies found that out the hard way in the NLDS series opener at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday.
The Mets trailed 1-0 after the first inning and for most of the game. However, for the second time in the postseason, New York exploded for a five-run inning, turning the game on its head in the eighth inning. The Mets followed their thrilling win in the wild card series decider with a comeback 6-2 win in the NLDS opener against the Phillies.
The Phillies were in control of the game with veteran ace Zack Wheeler pitching seven sublime scoreless innings. However, the bullpen failed to back the NL Cy Young contender's outing by taking a beating after Wheeler's exit from the mound.
MVP
Brandon Nimmo's two-RBI night makes him the MVP for the Mets, He drove in the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth and added another in the ninth to secure the win for New York.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres
Arguably the most awaited matchup of the division series, the Dodgers and Padres lived up to their eternal rivalry in the series opener at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers were pushed back instantly after Manny Machado's three-run home run in the first inning. While the Dodgers hit back in the second inning via Shohei Ohtani's home run, the Padres responded with another two-run inning to retake the lead. However, San Diego couldn't contain the star-studded Dodgers offense and eventually lost 7-5.
Meanwhile, it was a roller coaster ride for the fans at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers fans were surrounded by a familiar feeling after their team trailed early in another crucial postseason clash against the Padres. However, LA had a trump card in Ohtani this time around.
MVP
Playing the first postseason game of his MLB career, Ohtani showed no signs of nerves as the NL MVP frontrunner brought the Dodgers level with his first career playoff home run in the second inning. His heroics inspired the Dodgers to a dramatic come-from-behind win.