LEADING OFF: 106-win Dodgers host Cards in NL wild-card game

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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WILD OUT WEST

The 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers put their season on the line in the NL wild-card game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals. No team has ever won so many games and failed to win its division, but LA couldn't catch the 107-win San Francisco Giants, forcing the club into the one-game playoff.

Max Scherzer will start for the Dodgers. The 37-year-old right-hander was 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA after joining Los Angeles from Washington, along with NL batting champion Trea Turner, at the July 30 trade deadline. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is from the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield.

He'll face Cardinals 40-year-old Adam Wainwright (17-7, 3.05 ERA). St. Louis used a 17-game winning streak down the stretch to lock up the second NL wild card

The Dodgers will be without slugger Max Muncy and ace Clayton Kershaw. Muncy injured his left elbow Sunday but could return if Los Angeles remains in the postseason. Kershaw has an issue in his left elbow/forearm and is done for the year.

HEADING SOUTH

Xander Bogaerts and the Boston Red Sox are all set to face Tampa Bay in a best-of-five Division Series beginning Thursday night in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Boston gets a day to rest, recharge and work out at Tropicana Field after beating the rival New York Yankees 6-2 in the AL wild-card game Tuesday night. The Red Sox went 8-11 against the AL East champion Rays this season and finished eight games behind them.

Perhaps the time off will benefit designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who was left off the wild-card roster two days after he twisted his ankle running out to right field in a rare defensive appearance.

Martinez slipped on second base while taking his position between innings Sunday. The four-time All-Star batted...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-106-win-Dodgers-host-Cards-in-NL-16512486.php