>>TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE (All times are Eastern)
MLB Playoffs
1:07 p.m. – Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves (Game One of best-of-five NLDS)
3:37 p.m. – Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros (Game One of best-of-five ALDS)
7:37 p.m. – Cleveland Guardians at New York Yankees (Game One of best-of-five ALDS)
9:37 p.m. – San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers (Game One of best-of-five NLDS)
>>Cardinals Begin Offseason
(St. Louis, MO) — The Cardinals’ offseason is in full-swing after they were swept by the Phillies in the NL Wild Card round over the weekend. The Cardinals could have a lot of holes to fill after finishing the 2022 season at the top of the NL Central with a 93-and-69 record. Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina are both expected to retire, and Adam Wainwright is mulling over his decision to call it quits or not. Additionally, starting pitcher Jose Quintana is set to hit free agency and Nolan Arenado also has to make a decision on his player option. If he decides to accept the option, he’ll be with the team through 2026. If he declines, he’ll hit the open market.
>>Cubs Plan To Make Qualifying Offer to Contreras
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs are hoping to keep their All-Star catcher around. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told reporters yesterday that the team will be making a qualifying offer to Wilson Contreras. The qualifying offer is a one-year deal at a price set by MLB. If Contreras accept the QO, he’s back on the Cubs for another season. If he rejects it, he will enter free agency, but the Cubs would get draft pick compensation from the team that signs him. Contreras hit .243 with 22 home runs this season.
>>Braves Extend Pitcher Spencer Strider
(Atlanta, GA) — The Braves are making a long-term commitment to their rookie pitcher. Spencer Strider agreed to a six-year, 75-million dollar deal with a 22-million dollar club option and a five-million dollar buyout for the 2029 season. The 23-year-old would have been eligible for free agency after the 2027 season. Strider became the first Braves rookie in the Modern Era to have a 200-strikeout season, and is the first MLB pitcher to record 200 strikeouts and allow fewer than 100 hits.