Pursuing the Pennant: Dodgers, Astros reassert themselves

Bryce Harper reintroduced himself in a spectacular fashion, launching a two-run homer in Game 2 against Carl Edwards Jr. It served as the undercard to Ryan Zimmerman’s decisive three-run shot later in the inning that sealed the Nationals' lone victory thus far over the Cubs.

Meanwhile, the biggest moment of the Houston-Boston series came in what should have been the most favorable moment for the Sox. For the first time in his tenure in Boston, Craig Kimbrel reached a game that had high stakes, and Josh Reddick ruined it for him. Reddick’s base hit on the open side of the infield shift brought home what turned out to be the difference-making run in the series.

Francisco Lindor’s only hit thus far in the ALDS was a big one, a grand slam that pulled the Indians back into Friday night’s Game 2, which the Tribe eventually won 9-8 in 13 innings.

Max Scherzer and Jose Quintana had a quite a pitchers' duel going on Monday afternoon, with Quintana working 5.2 scoreless innings and Scherzer taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. The respective bullpens ultimately took the credit in the end, but the top duel of the postseason thus far is in the books.

Who is hot at the plate

The Astros did exactly what they do best en route to dispatching the Red Sox in four games: hit, hit and hit some more. The American League's best offense in the regular season stayed hot going into the postseason, hitting .343 as a team with seven home runs against the Red Sox. And while Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve did most of the heavy lifting, Yuli Gurriel was relentless at the plate throughout, hitting in six straight trips to the plate and seven of nine at-bats at Fenway Park.

Speaking of Bregman, the Houston third baseman had never faced Chris Sale. However, he made a habit of torturing the potential AL Cy Young winner over the last week, launching a pair of home runs off the lefty, including a first-inning shot in Game 1 and an all-important game-tying shot in the eighth inning of Monday’s Game 4.

Although the Red Sox are headed home, Hanley Ramirez didn’t go quietly into the night. After entering in Game 1 following Eduardo Nunez suffering a nasty knee injury, Ramirez got hot and stayed that way, hitting .571 (8-for-14) with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

Ever-persistent Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner has continued to be the engine at the core of the L.A. attack. Turner hit .462 (6-for-13) with five RBI while propelling the Dodgers to the NLCS.

Who’s hot (and who’s not) on the mound

If the point wasn’t clear enough after his struggles to bounce back on short rest, let his disappointing showing in Game 4 stand as gospel: Trevor Bauer simply isn't good without a full slate of regular rest. After shutting down the Yankees offense in Game 1, Bauer put on a polar opposite performance Monday, allowing four hits and two walks in a 1.2-inning appearance that was marred by an error as well.

Bauer is not alone in struggling on the bump in Cleveland; even the immortal Corey Kluber was roughed up in his postseason debut. The AL ERA champ allowed six runs on seven hits over just two innings last Friday, an effort he’ll have to correct on Wednesday with the Indians’ season hanging in the balance.

Save for a touch-and-go Game 1 from Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles pitching operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the Division Series. Kenley Jansen, Kenta Maeda, Tony Cingrani and Josh Fields didn’t allow a run, while Brandon Morrow allowed only two hits over 3.2 innings.

Conversely, Arizona pitching posed little threat to the L.A. lineup, as Zack Greinke, Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray combined for a 9.80 ERA over just 10.1 innings in the series.

Chris Sale’s first taste of the postseason was one he likely wants to put behind him. Despite a nearly heroic showing in relief Monday, the southpaw was touched up for nine runs in 9.2 innings overall in the ALDS. The Red Sox dropped both of his appearances in the process.

Stepping up... or stepping out? 

David Price entered the postseason from an angle he had not since his rookie year in Tampa Bay: from the bullpen. He made the most of the opportunity, becoming the most dominant relief arm in the postseason thus far. Including an inspiring four-inning outing that saw him pick up the win for the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS, Price worked 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out five.

The MVP chants that rained down on Jose Altuve seemed to breathe life into the Houston mighty mite, as he kicked of the Astros' postseason with a bang — times three. Altuve’s three home run Game 1 set the pace for the Houston offensive outbreak and was the 10th three-homer game in postseason history. As a whole, Altuve is carrying a .533 average into the ALCS.

When Jay Bruce came over from the Mets in August, it was as much to fill in for the injured Michael Brantley as it was to add even more instant offense to the club. So far against the Yankees, Bruce has produced a .966 OPS and connected for a pair of home runs.

J.D. Martinez’s season has ended, but his march toward a prosperous time as a free agent was solidified with a strong showing in the NLDS. Martinez hit .364 with a home run against the Dodgers.

Missing in action

Before connecting for a two-run double in the second inning of Game 4, Aaron Judge had been 0-for-11 in the series. He’ll enter the decisive game five with an .067 average, carrying 11 more strikeouts than hits over 15 at-bats.

Injuries happen and often have worse timing than running into your ex, but Edwin Encarnacion likely would take any encounter from his past over the horribly timed ankle injury he suffered in Game 2 of the ALDS. It has kept him out of action since and impacted a Cleveland lineup in need of a boost headed into a do-or-die Game 5.

The Cubs have a knack for getting it done when it counts, which has enabled them to take a 2-1 lead in their NLDS tilt with the Nationals. Their ability to fight under pressure has been the difference for Chicago because the bulk of the lineup has been missing in action. Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and Willson Contreras have combined to go 4-for-28 so far in the postseason, while the Cubs offense has scored only eight runs in three games.

Paul Goldschmidt left his MVP-caliber ways behind this October, as he managed only one hit  — a Game 1 home run — over 11 at-bats in the series.

Farewell for now

The hard times continue for the Red Sox, who have finished the last two seasons as American League East champs but lost in the ALDS. They are now officially a franchise that cannot get over the hump, and it could cost manager John Farrell his job.

The shortest stay on the NL side belongs to the last team that qualified for the Division Series, as the Arizona Diamondbacks were dispatched in fewest games necessary Tuesday night. Their once-imposing offense was not up to the task, as the D-backs hit .189 as a team

What’s on deck

The Nationals again have their backs against the wall in the NLDS, facing elimination at Wrigley Field this afternoon. Jake Arrieta will take on Tanner Roark in an early evening contest in some possibly rainy weather conditions in the Windy City.

Over in the AL, the Yankees made the most of their trip home, winning both games hosted at Yankee Stadium. The Indians will try to rediscover their own winning ways back in Cleveland and do so with the favorable option of sending Corey Kluber to the mound. Interestingly enough, it will be a showdown between the previous two Cy Young winners for the Tribe, as CC Sabathia will take to the ball for New York.