Two Spotlight Games on Thursday: NLCS Game 3 and ALCS Game 4
The 2024 MLB postseason continues to deliver drama as Thursday brings two pivotal games: the NLCS shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3, where the Milwaukee Brewers look to get on the board against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the ALCS moves to Seattle for Game 4, where the Toronto Blue Jays aim to even the series against the Mariners. Below is a comprehensive look at lineups, starting pitchers, and the key matchups that could tilt the fate of each series.
NLCS Game 3: Brewers at Dodgers — Dodgers Lead 2-0
First pitch and context: The Dodgers hold a 2-0 lead in the series and will try to push the Brewers to the brink at Dodger Stadium. This marks a pivotal moment for Milwaukee, who will need to win at least one game on the road to extend the series.
Starting pitchers: Aaron Ashby for Milwaukee opposed by Tyler Glasnow for Los Angeles. Glasnow’s return from durability questions could be a difference-maker if his velocity and breaking stuff cooperate late into starts. Ashby will need to locate his changeup and keep Dodgers hitters off balance to buy the Brewers a crucial road win.
Lineups to watch:
Milwaukee rolls with a dynamic top of the order: Jackson Chourio in right, Brice Turang at second, and William Contreras catching. Christian Yelich backs them in the cleanup spot, followed by Andrew Vaughn and Sal Frelick in the heart of the lineup. The Brewers also deploy a versatile defense with Caleb Durbin at third and Jake Bauers in left, aiming to spark offense in a park that can feast on long balls if timing is right.
Dodgers counter with a balanced lineup designed to pressure Milwaukee early. Shohei Ohtani leads off as the designated hitter, Mookie Betts at short, Will Smith behind the plate, and Freddie Freeman at first. Tommy Edman provides a contrarian bat in the two-hole, Teoscar Hernandez and Max Muncy add middle-of-the-order power, Enríque Hernández covers left, and a mobile center fielder in Andy Pages rounds out the lineup. Dodgers pitchers will lean on depth and velocity to keep Milwaukee’s lineup from getting settled.
Key factors to watch:
– Ashby’s ability to command the zone and miss bats against a Dodgers lineup that thrives on patience and gravity-defying swings.
– Glasnow’s balance between strike-throwing and innings count, especially facing a Brewers lineup that has shown pop from the middle of the order.
– The bullpen usage for both teams; late-inning arms could swing a tight game in a ballpark that favors offense in the late innings.
Early takeaways we might see:
If Milwaukee can push a couple of big hits early and force Glasnow into strained innings, it opens the door for bullpen leverage. If Los Angeles starts fast, they’ll look to ride the momentum and keep the Brewers from mounting a comeback in a potential back-and-forth affair.
ALCS Game 4: Blue Jays at Mariners — Mariners Lead 2-1
First pitch and context: Seattle’s 2-1 series lead presents Toronto with a must-win scenario to avoid a 3-1 deficit heading into Toronto. The Blue Jays have the depth to flip momentum if their lineup can string together timely hits against Seattle’s rotation.
Starting pitchers: Max Scherzer for Toronto against Luis Castillo for Seattle. Both aces will be tasked with delivering length and keeping offenses in check in a crucial, high-leverage setting. Scherzer, known for his competitive fire, will need to navigate a powerful Mariners lineup that thrives on early contact and pressure on the mound.
Lineups to watch:
Toronto’s lineup features George Springer at DH, Nathan Lukes in left, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, Alejandro Kirk catching, and Daulton Varsho in center. The Blue Jays bring a mix of contact and power with Ernie Clement at third base, Addison Barger in right, Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second, and Andres Gimenez at short. Seattle counters with a balance of speed and power, designed to stress a Toronto defense and force mistakes in the field.
Key factors to watch:
– Scherzer’s post-seed form and how Toronto counters Seattle’s dynamic starting pitching, especially with Castillo delivering a ride down the stretch.
– Seattle’s bullpen management and whether they can sustain a lead late in a hitter-friendly park.
– The interplay of the middle of the order for both teams and who can deliver the pivotal hit in clutch moments.
Potential outcomes:
A win by Toronto would swing momentum back in their favor and set up a dramatic,back-and-forth finish in the series. Seattle’s offense has shown the ability to explode, but the Blue Jays’ lineup depth can offset a strong Mariners’ pitching plan if given timely opportunities.
What to Expect: Live Updates and Takeaways
We’ll bring real-time updates, key lineups, scoring plays, and strategic breakdowns as the games unfold. Look for early bullpen decisions, delayed offense, and any timely homers that shift the axis of the series. Both games carry high leverage and the potential for momentum swings that could redefine the remainder of the NLCS and ALCS.
Final thoughts
Thursday’s two-game slate tests different chapters of the postseason narrative: Milwaukee’s hunt for its first win of the series in a hostile Dodger Stadium environment and Toronto’s bid to reassert themselves against Seattle in a high-stakes, must-win setting. Expect tight defense, bullpen chess, and flashes of big-hit potential as teams push toward October glory.
Key links
- Bracket
- Lineups
