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Three MLB playoff games on tap for Monday, with one of them a potential finale.
Nationals vs. Dodgers
NLDS Game 3 (Series tied 1-1)
Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez vs. Kenta Maeda
Time: 1:08 p.m.
TV: MLB Network
For the second straight day, a beloved former A’s lefty makes a start in this series — Rich Hill got roughed up in Game 2. Gio has made three career postseason starts and never reached the 6th inning.
* * *
Indians vs. Red Sox
ALDS Game 3 (Indians lead 2-0)
Pitchers: Josh Tomlin vs. Clay Buchholz
Time: 3:08 p.m.
TV: TBS
They were supposed to play yesterday but got rained out. Somehow Josh Tomlin is still a thing, and even weirder he actually became decent after turning 30. And now he’s pitching to sweep the Red Sox out of the playoffs. Life, man.
* * *
Cubs vs. Giants
NLDS Game 3 (Cubs lead 2-0)
Pitchers: Jake Arrieta vs. Madison Bumgarner
Time: 6:38 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports 1
It’s Bumgarner in an elimination game, which is an automatic shutout right up until it isn’t. Remember when Cliff Lee and Justin Verlander were unbeatable in the playoffs? And Jon Lester? (Hey, turns out he still is!) Nothing gold can stay and everyone stumbles eventually.
The only thing better than seeing the Giants getting swept out would be if it happened in front of their entitled home fans to remind them that sometimes everything doesn’t go perfectly in October. It’s harsh but they need that lesson before we can all be friends again. Don’t blow this, Cubs. (You will almost certainly blow this. I’ve got Kelby Tomlinson on the pinch-hit walk-off homer.)
