NY Mets and San Diego Padres both one win away from Championship Series as Division Series roll on

The GIST: New tricks, new treats — things are getting downright spooky in the best-of-five Division Series, where the hotly contested National League (NL) battles wrapped up Game 3s last night and the American League (AL) matchups take center stage today. Boo-yeah.

NL No. 6 NY Mets one win away from advancing: With a plethora of Grimaces watching on, the Mets reigned supreme in Queens, topping the No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies 7–2 behind clutch late-game hitting and a masterclass from pitcher Sean Manaea. The Phils know how to stage a comeback, but they’ll need to track down their bats ahead of Game 4 today at 5:08 p.m. ET.

NL No. 4 San Diego Padres overpower No. 1 LA Dodgers to take 2-1 series lead: The Padres put the off-field drama aside, using a six-run second inning to beat LA 6–5 despite a towering grand slam from Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández. Now the stacked Dodgers are looking extra blue, facing elimination (and a third straight first-round exit) tonight at 9:08 p.m. ET. *gulps*

AL No. 6 Detroit Tigers even series vs. No. 2 Cleveland Guardians ahead of first home game: October is about unlikely heroes, and Tigers pinch hitter Kerry Carpenter played the role perfectly, blasting a three-run ninth inning home run and lifting Detroit to a 3–0 Game 2 win before the series shifts gears to the Motor City today at 3:08 p.m. ET, the Tigers’ first home playoff game since 2014.

AL No. 5 Kansas City Royals rally, level series with No. 1 NY Yankees: The Royals are similarly preparing for their first home game of this postseason after topping the Yanks 4–2 in Game 2 on Monday. Both squads’ stars — KC shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and NY outfielder Aaron Judge — have been noticeably quiet so far this series. See if either one shines in Game 3 tonight at 7:08 p.m. ET.