MLB best-of-five Divisional Series could be all wrapped up by the end of this weekend

The GIST: Everyone’s favorite goose might’ve tried to steal the show, but the best-of-five Divisional Series (DS) will take center stage this weekend — there’s a chance they could all be wrapped up by Sunday. Let’s fly into the action.

American League (AL): They don’t give out MVPs for the DS, but if they did, Houston Astro Yordan Álvarez might’ve locked it up. After belting a walk-off home run in Game 1, Alvarez knocked another out of the park in the sixth inning yesterday to lead his top-seeded team to a 4–2 win over the No. 5 Seattle Mariners. Clutch, personified.

• Now up 2-0, the Astros can eliminate Seattle (who’ll be hosting their first playoff game since 2001) with a road win tomorrow at 4:07 p.m. ET.

• Elsewhere, rain postponed Game 2 of the No. 2 NY Yankees vs. No. 3 Cleveland Guardians series to today at 1:07 p.m. ET. It’s set to be an epic battle on the mound with Yanks All-Star Nestor Cortes taking on 2020 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. Batters, be warned.

National League (NL): After being shut out by the No. 2 Atlanta Braves in Game 2 on Wednesday, the No. 6 Philadelphia Phillies will be hankering to ring the bell when they host their first playoff game since 2011 today at 4:37 p.m. ET.

• The series is tied 1-1 after each team dropped a game with their ace pitchers on the mound, so all eyes are on the sluggers. The defending champs are counting on first baseman Matt Olson, while the Phillies will look to reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper to end their homer drought.

• In the west, the battle for California bragging rights rages on after the No. 5 San Diego Padres evened the series vs. the No. 1 LA Dodgers on Wednesday. Lefty Blake Snell gets the start for the Padres, but LA will counter with Tony Gonsolin on the road. First pitch is tonight at 8:37 p.m. ET — play ball, baby.