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Blake Snell SP | LAD
Dodgers' Blake Snell: Lasts 3.2 frames in Game 2
Snell didn't factor in the decision in Game 2 of the NLDS against Atlanta on Sunday. He gave up a run on three hits with five strikeouts and five walks over 3.2 innings.
The left-hander certainly wasn't at his best and needed 90 pitches to record just 11 outs, but he was able to limit the damage to one run in vintage Snell fashion. The 33-year-old made just nine starts during the regular season due to shoulder and elbow issues, but he was effective when healthy with a 1.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 55:16 K:BB across 42.2 innings. Snell's next start isn't likely to come until the NLCS, should the Dodgers advance, since Tarik Skubal is lined up for a potential Game 5 versus Atlanta.
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Logan Henderson SP | MIL
Brewers' Logan Henderson: Settles down in first playoff start
Henderson didn't factor in the decision after giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits over five innings during Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres on Sunday. He struck out four and walked three.
The rookie right-hander struggled a bit with his command early Sunday, as he issued three free passes and a wild pitch across the first two frames. However, Henderson mostly settled in from there and retired the next eight batters, though San Diego scratched across an unearned run in the fifth on a single and two infield errors. The 24-year-old illustrated strong command all year with just 19 walks across 98.1 regular-season innings, but it took him a bit to find his footing during his first postseason appearance. It was still a strong performance from Henderson, whose next start doesn't line up to come until the NLCS, should Milwaukee progress past San Diego.
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Michael King SP | SD
Padres' Michael King: Fires five strong frames
King didn't factor into the decision in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Brewers on Sunday. He struck out six, allowing one run on three hits and no walks over five-plus innings.
After carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning during his wild-card start against the Cubs on Tuesday, King continued that dominance Sunday by retiring the first 14 batters he faced. Christian Yelich broke the seal with a two-out double in the fifth frame, which was followed by two additional singles and Milwaukee's first run. King escaped that inning without further damage but was pulled after a hit-by-pitch to begin the sixth. The right-hander has surrendered just one run on four hits with a 14:3 K:BB across 12 innings through his first two postseason starts. If San Diego can win the next two contests to force a decisive Game 5, King tentatively lines up to start on regular rest.
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Chris Sale SP | ATL
Braves' Chris Sale: Lined up for Game 3
Sale is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
The veteran left-hander made a surprise appearance out of the bullpen to close out the Phillies in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series on Thursday, which will end up pushing back his first start of the NLDS. Sale covered 7.2 frames between his two wild-card appearances versus Philadelphia, striking out 12 with three runs allowed on five hits and one walk.
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Nick Pivetta SP | SD
Padres' Nick Pivetta: Tapped for Game 3
Pivetta is scheduled to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The 33-year-old pitched in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series versus the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing a run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 3.1 innings. Since returning from a flexor strain in early September, Pivetta has a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22 frames in five games, including the playoff start.
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Dustin May SP | MIL
Brewers' Dustin May: Starting Game 3 of NLDS
Brewers manager Pat Muphy announced Sunday that May will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander had plenty of ups and downs after being acquired from St. Louis at the trade deadline, posting a 5.65 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB across 36.2 innings over 10 starts for Milwaukee. May will still end up getting the call for the Brewers on Tuesday, in part due to his success versus the Padres this year -- across three starts against San Diego, he surrendered just three earned runs with a 22:5 K:BB in 22 frames, including a one-hit shutout in June.
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Walker Buehler SP | SD
Padres' Walker Buehler: Away on paternity leave
The Padres placed Buehler on the postseason paternity list Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Buehler will be allowed to miss up to three days while he welcomes a new addition to his family, and he'll be eligible to rejoin the Padres' NLDS roster immediately upon returning. In the meantime, Randy Vasquez will replace Buehler on San Diego's pitching staff.
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Kyle Harrison SP | MIL
Brewers' Kyle Harrison: Included on NLDS roster
Harrison is listed on the Brewers' roster for their National League Division Series against the Padres.
Harrison was at risk of missing out on the Brewers' postseason roster after giving up 25 runs (22 earned) in his final 12.1 regular-season innings, but the team seems to feel comfortable including him to presumably work out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old lefty looked sharper during his final regular-season outing against the Cardinals, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out four batters, but he still isn't likely to see high-leverage work in the playoffs.
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Robbie Ray SP | SD
Padres' Robbie Ray: Taking ball in Game 1
The Padres will start Ray in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Saturday.
With Michael King and Nick Pivetta making starts in the Padres' wild-card series victory over the Cubs, Ray was the obvious choice to take the ball in the lid-lifter versus the Brewers. Ray struggled in nine starts after landing in San Diego at the trade deadline, holding a 5.02 ERA and 33:27 K:BB over 43 frames.