American League Wild Card Series

The Houston Astros have named Blubaugh as their starting pitcher for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series, with Hunter Brown expected to take the mound for Game 2. The announcement sets the rotation for Houston's playoff opener as the club begins its postseason run, with fans and analysts weighing the pitching choices ahead of the best-of-three series.

The MLB postseason begins Tuesday with the American and National League Wild Card Series, but several star players are dealing with injuries that could shape the outcomes. MLB.com takes a look at which key names are hurting, how serious the issues are, and what their availability or diminished production could mean for their teams' chances of advancing.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is dealing with a calf injury ahead of the American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox. After it first appeared he would miss the series, Judge is now aiming to play. His availability remains one of the biggest storylines heading into the postseason matchup.

MLB has published a breakdown of the top storyline for each Wild Card Series Game 1 as the baseball postseason gets underway. The piece highlights what matters most in every matchup across the American and National League brackets. Fans are weighing in on which storylines will define the opening games of the playoffs.

With the MLB postseason's Wild Card Series underway, attention has turned to how injuries will affect several star players in both the American and National League brackets. MLB.com examines the key names whose health status could shape their teams' chances, leaving clubs and fans weighing lineups and rotations around uncertain contributors.

Garrett Crochet has a chance to make the Boston Red Sox's roster for the American League Wild Card Series, potentially serving as a reliever rather than a starter. MLB reports the move would echo the tone he set at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of last year's AL Wild Card round. Fans are weighing how Boston might deploy its ace in a short postseason series.

The Boston Red Sox will hand the ball to left-hander Payton Tolle for Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees in New York on Tuesday, with Sonny Gray set to start Game 2. The rotation announcement comes as the rivalry clubs prepare for a high-stakes playoff matchup, drawing attention from baseball fans ahead of the series opener.