MLB Wild Card Series 2024 Recap: Dramatic finishes, star performances, and what’s next in the Division Series showdowns
The MLB Wild Card Series came to an end in thrilling fashion last night, with all teams having finally concluded their first series. Half of the teams moved on to those who were waiting with bye weeks in each league, and the others went home to regroup and begin planning for next season. Here's how each series went.
American League Wild Card Series recap
In a matchup of two of baseball's hottest teams, both of whom overcame rough starts in the regular season, the Detroit Tigers swept the Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park. They were heavy underdogs.
Tarik Skubal's gem (six scoreless innings) in Game 1 led them to a win, and Andy Ibanez had a go-ahead three-run double late in Game 2 to earn a shocking sweep of a team that had been to seven straight ALCS.
- Game 1: Detroit 3, Houston 1
- Game 2: Detroit 5, Houston 2
The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles faced off in the other series, and pitching was the star. There were just three runs scored in the entire 18 innings, with the Royals' two runs being enough to win both games.
Bobby Witt Jr. recorded both RBI for the Royals and the Orioles' bats were entirely silenced save for a solo home run by Cedric Mullins. Gunnar Henderson was 0-7 with four strikeouts, including the final out of the series.
- Game 1: Kansas City 1, Baltimore 0
- Game 2: Kansas City 2, Baltimore 1
The Royals will now head to the Bronx on Saturday to take on the New York Yankees. Also on Saturday, the Cleveland Guardians will host the Tigers for their five-game set.
National League Wild Card Series recap
The only series in the entire first round of the playoffs to go to the maximum of three games was the matchup between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
In Game 3, Jake Bauers broke a scoreless tie in the seventh with a pinch-hit home run, and Sal Frelick followed him up to make it 2-0. Then Pete Alonso knocked the first-ever go-ahead home run while trailing in an elimination game in a four-run ninth that sealed it. Jackson Chourio's two home runs in Game 2 forced the deciding game.
- Game 1: New York 8, Milwaukee 4
- Game 2: Milwaukee 5, New York 3
- Game 3: New York 4, Milwaukee 2
The San Diego Padres swept the Atlanta Braves, who made it in on a win in the very last game of the season. Starting pitching led the way, as Michael King went seven shutout innings with 12 strikeouts in Game 1. Fernando Tatis Jr. also belted a huge home run.
Joe Musgrove left Game 2 early and the Braves scored two in the eighth to make it a one-run game, but they were unable to break through further and their 2024 MLB Wild Card Series run was over.
- Game 1: San Diego 4, Atlanta 0
- Game 2: San Diego 5, Atlanta 4
The Padres will head to LA to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. That same day, the Mets are going to be in Philadelphia for an NL East showdown with the Philadelphia Phillies.