2019 MLB Division Series Day 2: Rays vs. Astros Game 1, Cardinals vs. Braves Game 2

The two A.L. series begin today, one this afternoon and one this evening, and Game 2 of the N.L. series also happen today, also one afternoon game and one night game.

This thread is for the day games. Here are my thoughts about the A.L. Series which begins today.

Astros vs. Rays

Might just as well give this series to Houston, right? Home field, three great starting pitchers, hitters everywhere up and down the lineup. The Astros were one of four A.L. teams (Twins, Yankees, Red Sox) who scored over 900 runs. Houston finished third with 920. They also led the league in fewest runs allowed.

But you know who was second in that latter category? That’s right, the Rays, and they did it with a bunch of guys who you likely have never heard of before. They showed off that pitching skill in the wild-card game with a seemingly endless parade of guys who throw 97 miles per hour. (Pay attention, Cubs!)

The Rays certainly have a chance in this series, but I suspect the Astros will simply overwhelm them with all their weaponry, pitching and hitting.

Astros in four.

Here’s all the information you’ll need for today’s afternoon games. There will be another thread posted at 5 p.m. CT for today’s two night games.

Game time for Astros/Rays: 1 p.m. CT. TV: FS1. Announcers: Kenny Albert, Joe Girardi, A.J. Pierzynski and Jon Paul Morosi.

Game time for Braves/Cardinals: 3:30 p.m. CT. TV: TBS. Announcers: Announcers: Brian Anderson and Ron Darling with reporter Lauren Shehadi. Cardinals lead series 1-0.

Pitching matchups:

Justin Verlander (Astros) vs. Tyler Glasnow (Rays)

Mike Foltynewicz (Braves) vs. Miles Mikolas (Cardinals)

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday for Rays/Astros.

MLB.com Gameday for Cardinals/Braves.

Baseball-reference.com game preview for Rays/Astros

Baseball-reference.com game preview for Cardinals/Braves

Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva El Birdos, Braves site Talking Chop, Rays site DRays Bay and Astros site The Crawfish Boxes. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals, Braves, Rays and Astros fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

This is the only thread for today’s afternoon games. As noted above, there will be another thread posted here at 5 p.m. CT for today’s night games. Enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.