The one-two punch of a single awful inning on the mound dooming you and an offense stranding runners left and right can be quite brutal. The Yankees lost Game 2 of the ALDS, ceding home field advantage to the Royals as we headed to Kansas City on Wednesday and Thursday. Like all other Division Series, it’s now a best-of-three, and there are no guarantees we’ll see the Yankees in the Bronx again in 2024. If the Royals win both at Kauffman Stadium, it’s over. So… uh… please don’t let that happen? Maybe actually ride some of those sitting ducks onto base? To suggest! Whatever.

Today on the site, Madison will recap what happened in yesterday’s other ALDS action, while Matt will name his Player of the Game for last night and Jeremy will provide his own in-depth Game 2 reactions. Later, Kevin would make a Yankees Diary off-day entry in 1999 commenting on the performance of their team’s MVP, Derek Jeter, who may be having his career year. Nick S. will argue why he would have gone with Luis Gil to start Game 3 instead of Clarke Schmidt. (Stay tuned for tomorrow, when Nick P. will present the pro-Clarke case.)

Division Series Game 3 Schedule:

New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies
(Series tied, 1-1)

(RHP Aaron Nola vs. LHP Sean Manaea)
Time: 5:08 PM ET
Television: Fox Sports 1 (FS1)
Location: Citi Field (Flushing, NY)

San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers
(Series tied, 1-1)

(RHP Michael King vs. RHP Walker Buehler)
Time: 9:08 PM ET
Television: Fox Sports 1 (FS1)
Location: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)

Questions/clues:

1. Last night sucked, so since there will inevitably (and understandably!) be complaining, what’s the upside as this series heads to Game 3 tomorrow?

2. Has your prediction for the other series changed after the Tigers’ surprising win over the Guardians and Emmanuel Clase in Game 2?