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  • Will Smith C | LAD

    Dodgers' Will Smith: In Game 3 lineup

    Smith (hand) will start at catcher and bat fifth against the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLDS on Wednesday.

    Smith's fractured right hand kept him on the bench for the Dodgers' first four postseason games, though he was able to deliver a two-run single off the bench in Game 2 on Monday. He'll now return to the starting nine and provide the Dodgers with another power bat while the team looks to punch its ticket to the NLCS.

  • Trey Yesavage SP | TOR

    Blue Jays' Trey Yesavage: Available in relief for Game 4

    Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Yesavage will be available out of the bullpen for Game 4 of the ALDS, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

    Yesavage had a dominant start in Game 2 on Sunday, striking out 11 over 5.1 hitless, scoreless innings. He threw 78 pitches in that outing and is on two days' rest, but the Blue Jays won't hesitate to use the rookie in Game 4 if they think he'll help them close out the series against the Yankees. Kevin Gausman is set up to start Game 5, if necessary, and would pitch in Game 4 only in an emergency situation.

  • Bo Bichette SS | NYM

    Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Does some jogging Wednesday

    Bichette jogged in the outfield without a brace on his injured left knee at Yankee Stadium pregame Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

    Bichette did not initially travel with the Blue Jays when the ALDS moved to New York, so the fact that he's now joined them and did some jogging for the first time since injuring his knee is a good sign. However, Bichette did not run at full effort, and he displayed a noticeable limp as he walked back to the dugout. Bichette hopes to be available for the ALCS, should the Blue Jays advance.

  • Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: In Game 4 lineup

    Goldschmidt will start at first base and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays.

    It will be Goldschmidt's first start of the series and just his second start so far this postseason. Right-handed reliever Louis Varland is serving as the opener in what will be a bullpen game for the Blue Jays.

  • Ben Rice C | NYY

    Yankees' Ben Rice: Retreating to bench

    Rice is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 4 of the ALDS versus the Blue Jays.

    The Yankees are turning to Paul Goldschmidt at first base as the Blue Jays go with a bullpen game. Rice is 4-for-18 with one home run, four RBI and a 1:8 BB:K across five games this postseason.

  • Roki Sasaki P | LAD

    Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Gets endorsement as team's closer

    Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Sasaki is "definitely the primary option now" to close games for the Dodgers, though the skipper noted that the rookie's availability will be contingent on his workload, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. "We have to win X amount of games [to secure a championship], and he's not going to close every game," Roberts said of Sasaki. "It's just not feasible, so, you've got to use other guys."

    Sasaki struggled to a 4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 24:22 K:BB in 34.1 innings over eight starts with the Dodgers to begin the season before he landed on the injured list May 13 due to a right shoulder impingement, but he's proven to be a dynamic weapon out of the bullpen since being reinstated Sept. 24. After collecting two holds and striking out four batters over two scoreless frames in two relief outings to close out the regular season, Sasaki retired the side on 11 pitches in his lone appearance against the Reds in the wild-card round, and he's converted a pair of save chances with ease in the first two games of the NLDS versus the Phillies. Given that the bullpen had been a relative weakness for the Dodgers down the stretch, it's not too surprising that Sasaki has quickly emerged as Los Angeles' most trusted reliever after he pitched effectively in his initial appearances following his return from the IL. With Clayton Kershaw headed for retirement following the playoffs, the Dodgers presumably still envision Sasaki getting stretched back out over the winter and settling into the vacated rotation spot in 2026, but the rookie right-hander looks like he'll rank as the preferred choice for ninth-inning duties for the duration of the team's postseason run.

  • Jake Bauers RF | MIL

    Brewers' Jake Bauers: Drawing Game 3 start at first base

    Bauers will start at first base and bat seventh Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Cubs.

    Bauers was limited to just one pinch-hitting appearance in the first two games of the series, drawing a walk in that trip to the dish. He'll get a chance to start Wednesday against Cubs righty Jameson Taillon as the Brewers look to advance to the NLCS.

  • Blake Perkins RF | MIL

    Brewers' Blake Perkins: Taking seat in Game 3

    Perkins is absent from the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Cubs.

    Perkins started in center field in Games 1 and 2, reaching base three times and driving in a run, but he'll begin Wednesday's festivities on the bench. Brandon Lockridge is starting in center field and batting eighth for the Brewers.

  • Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL

    Brewers' Andrew Vaughn: Absent from Game 3 lineup

    Vaughn is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of NLDS versus the Cubs.

    Vaughn started at first base in each of the first two games of the series, hitting a home run in Game 2 and reaching base four times across the two contests. However, he will begin Wednesday's game on the bench as the Brewers give a start to Jake Bauers at first base.

  • Brewers' Jackson Chourio: Back in lineup for Game 3

    Chourio (hamstring) will start in left field and bat second Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Cubs.

    Chourio had to be removed from each of the first two games of the series with right hamstring tightness, but he's been cleared to play Wednesday as the Brewers look to close out the series. The 21-year-old will likely be under strict orders to take it easy on the basepaths. Chourio is 5-for-7 with one home run and six RBI so far in the series.

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