MLB Wild Card series open with three underdog upsets

The GIST: And they’re off! The MLB playoffs opened with a thrilling quadruple-header yesterday, featuring lights-out pitching and a whole host of underdog victories. Here’s the latest from the American League (AL) and National League (NL) action before the best-of-three series continue today and our bracket challenge closes this afternoon.

AL No. 6 Detroit Tigers survive ninth-inning comeback from the No. 3 Houston Astros: The ’Stros nearly pulled it off, but pitcher Tarik Skubal (six scoreless innings) and the Tigers silenced Houston’s hot bats, winning 3–1 yesterday. Can the Astros extend the series, or will Detroit vroom straight to the next round? Find out today at 2:32 p.m. ET.

AL No. 5 Kansas City Royals need just one run to down No. 4 Baltimore Orioles: Pitching enthusiasts, rejoice — both starters (KC’s Cole Ragans and Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes) impressed, but Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.’s sixth-inning RBI single was the difference-maker in yesterday’s 1–0 KC win. Watch for both top-10 offenses to bring the bats at 4:38 p.m. ET today.

NL No. 6 NY Mets use five-run fifth inning to top No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers: No rest, no problem for the Mets, who, after squeaking into the playoffs on the very last day of the regular season on Monday, kept the good times rolling in a 8–4 win over the Brew Crew. See if the Kings of Queens can induce more “OMG” moments today at 7:38 p.m. ET.

NL No. 4 San Diego Padres blank No. 5 Atlanta Braves: Padres right fielder Fernando Tatís Jr. blasted a two-run home run in the first inning and the Dads never looked back, winning 4–0 yesterday. Lucky for Atlanta, they’ll counter with postseason veteran Max Fried for tonight’s must-win 8:38 p.m. ET Game 2. No pressure.