After 162 games of grind, grit, and heartbreak, October baseball is finally here. Today’s Wild Card matchups kick off the chaos, and while the Cardinals aren’t in the mix this year, there’s still plenty for fans to chew on as the bracket begins to take shape.
First up: Detroit heads to Cleveland in a battle of AL Central rivals. The Guardians surged late to clinch the division, riding a wave of young pitching and timely hitting. Detroit, meanwhile, clawed their way into the Wild Card with a scrappy roster that’s finally showing signs of life after years of rebuilding.
Over in the National League, the Padres visit Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs. San Diego’s star-studded lineup has underperformed all season, but they snuck in thanks to a late-season collapse by the Giants. Chicago, on the other hand, has been one of the league’s feel-good stories (if you are into that sort of thing): a team that wasn’t supposed to contend, now hosting a playoff game in front of a raucous North Side crowd. If the wind’s blowing out, this one could turn into a slugfest.
For Cardinals fans, it’s a bittersweet day. No Redbirds in October means no late-inning magic at Busch, but baseball is still beautiful, and the postseason always delivers drama. Whether you’re hate-watching the Cubs or cheering on a backup team, today’s games are worth tuning in for.
So grab a beverage, settle in, and let the madness begin. October waits for no one.