The start: AL Wild Card Matchups, NL Wild Card Matchups

With another full day of postseason baseball on the schedule, here are the four games to watch this afternoon and evening:

1. Astros vs Tigers:

The first game of the day begins at 1:32 p.m. CT in Houston, where the Tigers (1-0) are headed Tyler Holton to the mound for the opener against the Astros (0-1) and their starter in Game 2 Hunter Brown. Holton has quietly been one of the most effective multi-inning relievers in the game over the last two years, posting a 2.15 ERA and 3.55 SIERA in 179 2/3 innings. Reese Olson (3.53 ERA, 3.93 SIERA in 22 starts) is a likely option to throw multiple innings after Holton as this surprising Tigers team looks to advance to the ALDS. Alternatively, Detroit could try to save Olson for a possible Game 3 (or Game 1 of the ALDS).

Brown is enjoying a breakthrough second season with a 3.49 ERA and 3.74 SIERA in 170 innings pitched. He was particularly successful in the second half, with a 2.26 ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star break. According to Ass Framber Valdez Since he couldn't get the job done Tuesday, the responsibility of keeping Houston's ALCS streak alive falls on Brown's shoulders. The Astros have appeared in the last seven consecutive American League Championship Series.

2. Orioles vs. Royals:

Game 2 between the Orioles (0-1) and Royals (1-0) begins at 3:38 p.m. CT with Kansas City Seth Lugo face Baltimore Zach Eflin. The Orioles entered the series as heavy favorites, but the Royals persevered and won 1-0 in an incredible Game 1 pitchers' duel Cole Ragans And Corbin Burnes.

The second game of the series could lead to another pitching duel between Lugo and Eflin. Lugo is coming off a regular season that will certainly earn him Cy Young votes (3.00 ERA, 3.94 SIERA in 28 starts). Eflin hasn't been quite as good all year (3.59 ERA, 3.97 SIERA in 28 starts), but his baseline numbers are similar to Lugo's and he looked excellent in the final two months of the season (2.37 ERA in eight starts). Considering how poorly the Royals' offense performed in September, Eflin may also struggle with the lighter lineup as he strives to keep his team alive and end the Orioles' nine-game postseason losing streak.

3. Brewers vs Mets:

The NL slate begins this evening with Game 2 of the Brewers-Mets series, which begins at 6:38 p.m. CT. The Brewers (0-1) will broadcast Frankie Montas to the mound at American Family Field. Milwaukee hasn't won a postseason series since 2018 and the Brewers have never won a single game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Mets (1-0) will broadcast Sean Manaea to the mound in hopes of creating a swing. The Mets haven't won a postseason series since 2015, when they won the NL pennant. Although Milwaukee has home field advantage, New York has an advantage when it comes to the pitching duel. Manaea is having arguably the best season of his career (3.47 ERA, 3.97 SIERA in 32 starts), while Montas hasn't been nearly as impressive (4.84 ERA, 4.38 SIERA in 30 starts).

4. Padres vs. Braves:

The final game of the evening begins at 7:38 p.m. CT with the Braves (0-1) bye. Max Fried (3.25 ERA, 3.61 SIERA in 29 starts) to kick things off Joe Musgrove (3.88 ERA, 3.62 SIERA in 19 starts) of the Padres (1-0). While Fried had the better season, Musgrove has been dominant since returning from IL in August (2.15 ERA, 3.01 SIERA in nine starts). What works in Fried's favor, however, is the fact that he is left-handed; The Padres have an OPS of .689 against righties this season, much worse than their OPS of .764 against righties.

Interestingly, this is the only Wild Card Series where the higher seed won the first game.