Pederson's Dodgers beat Cubs, lead series 2-1;
Pillar's Blue Jays survive, force Game 5
Dodgers: October 18
The Dodgers beat the Cubs 6-0 at home Tuesday and lead Chicago 2-1 in their N.L. championship series.
Los Angeles CF Joc Pederson helped produce two insurance runs in the 8th inning. After hitting an opposite-field double to drive home Yasiel Puig from first base, Pederson stole third base and then scored when Chicago SS Javier Baez bobbled a ground ball. For the night, Pederson was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Credit manager Dave Roberts for trusting Pederson, a left-hander, to face southpaw Mike Montgomery in the 8th. The Dodgers platooned Pederson much of the regular season, during which he batted just .125 against lefties.
Pederson stole just six bases during the regular season but already has two thefts this postseason.
In non-playoff news, Cubs farmhand Ryan Kalish declared free agency on October 11. The 28-year-old outfielder had 10 plate appearances in a brief Major League stint this season. Thanks to Ephraim Moxon of Jewish Sports Review for the tip.
Game 4 of the seven-game contest for the N.L. pennant takes place in L.A. tonight (October 19) at 8:00pm ET on Fox Sports 1 and ESPN Radio. On the mound, L.A.'s Julio Urias will face Chicago's John Lackey.
Blue Jays: October 18
The Blue Jays entered Tuesday's game down 3-0 to the Indians and just one loss from elimination, but a 5-1 Toronto win forced a fifth game in their A.L. championship series.
CF Kevin Pillar padded Toronto's lead with an RBI sacrifice fly in the 8th inning. A diving catch by Brandon Guyer prevented Pillar from earning extra bases on the play. Pillar was 0-for-3 on the night.
As author Bob Weschler pointed out to Jewish Baseball News, Toronto sent Scott Feldman to the minors on October 14.
Toronto will host Game 5 of the series at 4:00pm ET tomorrow (October 20) on TBS and ESPN Radio. The Blue Jays' Marco Estrada will face off against the Indians' Ryan Merritt.
Blue Jays: October 17
Cleveland beat the host Blue Jays 4-2 in Game 2 of their A.L. championship series.
CF Kevin Pillar tried to start a rally in the 7th-inning with a leadoff single and a stolen base, but he never made it home. Pillar was 1-for-4 on the night.
