Cam Sletler’s Masterclass Propels Yankees Past Red Sox

Cam Sletler Channels His Inner Silent Assassin

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry delivered once again, but this time it wasn’t about the bats or the bombs—it was all about Cam Sletler and his electric arm. Cam went full superhero mode, mowing down the Red Sox with eight shutout innings, 12 strikeouts, and not a single free pass. That puts him in an exclusive postseason club: eight-plus innings, zero walks, and a dozen punchouts. Not bad for a guy who grew up rooting for the team he just sent packing.

The Yankees rode that masterclass to a shutout win and punched their ticket to the AL Division Series. Perhaps just as important as the win? The bullpen got a night off, which is a huge bonus heading into a new series. With the Blue Jays waiting and Sletler likely unavailable for the first couple games, New York will lean on its deep rotation and hope the offense keeps clicking.

Speaking of offense, the Yankees had timely hits and solid contributions across the board. Giancarlo Stanton found his October swing with a homer and a double, and Aaron Judge gave his stamp of approval to the performance—though it was too loud postgame to hear what he actually said. Classic Bronx.

Cubs Claw Past Padres, Brewers Up Next

Meanwhile, over in the National League, the Cubs survived a late-inning rollercoaster to take down the Padres and set up a juicy series with the Brewers. The Cubs were in control with a 3-0 lead going into the ninth, but a controversial strike-three call flipped the script and sent Padres players into a frenzy. Xander Bogaerts in particular nearly lost his mind over the call, and honestly, it’s hard to blame him.

The Padres' struggles with runners in scoring position continued to haunt them—an issue that’s plagued them for two postseasons now. It’s like they’re all-in at the poker table, but only holding a seven and a two. Their window is still technically open for 2025, but this early exit has to sting.

Next up for the Cubs: a showdown with the rival Brewers. These two teams know each other well, and the series promises to be a throwback to old-school baseball. Expect bunts, hit-and-runs, and tense low-scoring games. The Brewers have the best on-base percentage in the league and the lowest strikeout rate, which could be a difference-maker. But the Cubs have momentum—and sometimes that’s all you need in October.

Tigers Roar Into Seattle With Nothing to Lose

The Detroit Tigers are living their best life right now. After dispatching the Guardians in a scrappy wild card series, they’re heading to Seattle for a matchup with the Mariners. The Tigers were counted out by many, but they’ve embraced the underdog role and now have a nothing-to-lose swagger that makes them dangerous.

Dylan Dingler’s go-ahead homer and Will Vest’s web gem were key moments in the clincher, and manager AJ Hinch emphasized the importance of enjoying the ride. With guys like Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, and Kerry Carpenter stepping up, Detroit looks feisty heading into the next round.

But let’s be real—the Mariners are the better team on paper. Their pitching staff is deep, their offense is potent, and they’ve got multiple guys who could start Game 1. Whether it’s Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, or George Kirby, Seattle has the arms to go toe-to-toe with anyone. That said, they’d be wise not to let this series reach Game 5, because then comes Tarek Skubal, and he's been the bad man this postseason.

Skubal is lined up for Games 2 and 5, and even though his numbers against the Mariners this year aren’t spectacular, playoff Skubal might just be built different. If Detroit steals Game 1 with a bullpen mix-and-match, all of a sudden, the pressure flips to the Mariners. Ghosts of playoff past could start creeping in for Seattle if they fall behind early.

Dodgers-Phillies: Star Power Meets Pressure Cooker

Over in the National League, we’ve got a blockbuster on the horizon: Phillies vs. Dodgers. These two teams bring star-studded lineups and deep pitching staffs, and the vibe is already feeling like a slugfest waiting to happen. The Phillies took the season series 4-2 and have the intimidating Red October crowd waiting in Philly if this one goes the distance.

Shohei Ohtani is set to make history by starting a playoff game both on the mound and as a hitter. His Game 1 appearance has fans buzzing, and if he dominates, the Dodgers could take early control. But the Phillies aren’t going quietly. Bryce Harper is heating up, and their lefty-heavy rotation could neutralize some of L.A.'s big bats.

This series will likely be decided by bullpen performance and timely hitting. Whoever wins the late innings probably wins the series. Look out for under-the-radar guys like Kike Hernandez or Harrison Bader to swing a game with a clutch hit or defensive gem. And if we get to Game 5 in Philly? Buckle up. That’s going to be an all-time postseason moment.

Yankees vs. Blue Jays: Momentum Meets Home Field

Finally, we circle back to the Yankees, who will face the Blue Jays in a high-stakes ALDS. Toronto has the best home record in the league and took the regular season series 8-5. But the Yankees are coming in hot, fresh off a dominant win over Boston and with their pitching staff in great shape.

The Jays might roll out rookie Trey Asavage, whose minor league strikeout numbers are eye-popping, but October is a different beast. Chris Bassitt might also get the nod, adding veteran stability. Either way, the Jays need to figure out how to contain a Yankees offense that suddenly looks alive.

If this series goes five games, the Blue Jays will have home-field advantage, and that could be the difference. They’ve got a strong defense and a grind-it-out style of play that matches up well with New York. But if the Yankees hit a couple of big homers early, the series might not even reach Game 5.

Takeaways

• Cam Sletler’s historic outing gives the Yankees a huge boost heading into the ALDS against Toronto. Bet on the Yankees’ pitching staying strong early in the series.
• The Cubs-Brewers series will be a chess match. Keep an eye on first-inning scoring props and under totals.
• Detroit is playing with house money. Don’t sleep on them stealing Game 1 in Seattle, which could flip the whole series.
• Phillies-Dodgers is built for drama. Expect high-scoring affairs and late-inning fireworks—live betting opportunities could be gold.
• Toronto has home-field advantage and a strong defense, but the Yankees have momentum. Series odds may shift quickly after Game 1.