Wild Card Series Preview: Yankees–Red Sox, Padres–Cubs, Guardians–Tigers, & Reds–Dodgers | 107
Description
Welcome to Episode 107 of Tablesetters! The MLB postseason has finally arrived, and we are diving deep into all four Wild Card matchups, exploring the stakes, storylines, and keys that could determine who advances.
We begin in the Bronx with Yankees against Red Sox, a rivalry that has defined October baseball for decades. These two have met six times in the postseason since 1999, and Boston has claimed victory in the last three. This time New York counters with Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and the most powerful lineup in the game. The question is whether Boston’s bullpen and the brilliance of Garrett Crochet can once again swing the balance in their favor.
Next comes Padres against Cubs, their first postseason encounter since 1984. San Diego brings elite strikeout arms and perhaps the strongest bullpen in baseball, while Chicago leans on depth, defense, and the unshakable energy of Wrigley Field. This series could turn entirely on who controls the late innings.
In the Central, it is Guardians against Tigers, a matchup that feels transformed from their earlier meetings. Cleveland enters October riding one of the hottest Septembers in recent memory, while Detroit boasts the ace of the year in Tarik Skubal. It is a contest between momentum and sustained excellence.
Out West we find the underdog story: Reds against Dodgers. The defending champions return armed with Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman, but Cincinnati has a blueprint of its own with Hunter Greene’s overpowering fastball and Terry Francona’s postseason expertise. The real question is whether the Reds can strike early and rewrite the script.
Throughout the episode we cover what truly decides these short series: rotation matchups, bullpen sequencing, defensive sharpness, and the single swing that can turn a season. October baseball is defined by chaos, and the Wild Card round is the first spark.
Follow us on Instagram and X @tablesetterspod, subscribe to the show, and share with your baseball circle. The road to the World Series begins now.
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