Major League Baseball LIVE: Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers & Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets in Play-offs

BBC Sport

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East division title to make it to the post-season for the third consecutive year. Bryce Harper remains their main man – the twice National League MVP scored 30 Home Runs in the regular season, including an iconic drive in London in June.

Francisco Lindor has been pivotal to the New York Mets recent resilience, scoring the winning Home Run against the Braves last Monday to secure their place in the post-season. Pete Alonso is their other big hitter and scored a crucial Home Run against the Brewers to win the Wild Card series on Friday.

The Guardians have a special player in six-time all-star Jose Ramirez – and he’s enjoying one of his best ever seasons. The Dominican slugger smashed 39 Home Runs and 39 Doubles as well as stealing 41 Bases in the regular season. To put that in context, only seven players have ever reached 40 in each category.

The Tigers continued their incredible run of form by beating the Houston Astros in two nights earlier this week. Triple Crown winning pitcher Tarik Skubal was exemplary in his appearance on Tuesday night, pitching six innings without giving up a run.

Image source, Getty Images