MLB Playoffs: Ranking the Top Five Pitching Duels from Wildcard Week

If you’re a fan of pitching duels, then this was your week. We ranked the top five mano a mano mound performances from the MLB Wildcard round.

A Wildcard round unlike any we’ve seen before in MLB has come to an end. What a strange round it was. Some battles yielded historically low scoring, or, in the Cincinnati Reds’ case, zero scoring. Other battles yielded the kind of loose offensive output that’s a far cry for teams fighting to survive by leaning on their best pitchers – ahem, Shane Bieber.

The majority of aces did their job, however, which led to a handful of epic pitching duels. Let’s count down the most applauded MLB mound matchups from the Wildcard week, starting at number five.

#5 Jack Flaherty vs. the San Diego Padres Bullpen

Game 3 winner-take-all between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres presented an old school vs. new school approach. In traditional fashion, the Cardinals sent their prized ace to the mound to ensure a victory, while the Padres hung their chances on “relievers galore.”

“Relievers galore” prevailed. The Padres used nine bullpen arms over nine innings and held the Cardinals to zero runs. Craig Stammen pitched 1.2 innings to open the game. Only Adrian Morejon would tie Stammen for outs recorded when it was all said and done. According to ESPN, last night’s nine-inning shutout was the first in MLB history involving nine or more pitchers.

Padres relievers escaped trouble on multiple occasions, including spots in which Pierce Johnson struck out Dylan Carlson with the bases loaded to end the third, and Austin Adams struck out Paul Goldschmidt with two men on to finish the 5th. Ultimately, Padres pitchers stranded nine Cardinals, allowed four hits, and recorded eight Ks.

St. Louis wasted a fine effort by Jack Flaherty. The sure-handed righty tossed six innings, forfeited one run, and fanned eight Padres. He overcame several high-stress situations as well, though the lone run he gave up was more than his team’s offense could produce.

#4 Sixto Sanchez vs. Yu Darvish

Temperatures in the low 50s, the wind roaring in at Wrigley Field… What a time for Sixto Sanchez and Yu Darvish to go at it with much at stake. For two hours, Sanchez poured in triple-digit heaters to dispose of Cubs’ bats, while Darvish used his nine, ten, eleven (I’ve lost count at this point) pitches to stifle Marlins hitters.

Sanchez pitched five scoreless innings, striking out six along the way. He got help in the fourth inning when right fielder Matt Joyce gunned down Willson Contreras at the plate with a perfect one-hop throw.

The score was 0-0 when Sanchez left the game. That score remained into the seventh inning when Yu Darvish was working hard to solidify his scoreless outing. But he finally flinched.

With two outs and no one on base, Darvish hung a 2-2 slider to Garrett Cooper and watched it fly into the left field bleachers. Just like that, the Marlins took a 1-0 lead. They added one more that inning to go up 2-0.

Darvish gave the Cubs 6.2 innings and six strikeouts, and held Miami to two runs. Unfortunately, the Cubs offense gave him zero runs in return. Had that slider to Cooper bitten one more inch, the Cubs may have found a way to score first and win the ballgame. Instead, their season is over.

#3 Brandon Woodruff vs. Clayton Kershaw

Both starters faced immense pressure in this one. Brandon Woodruff had to shut down the most potent offense in MLB while full-well knowing he would get little-to-no run support like had been the case for him all season. If he struggled even slightly, his Brewers would have to try again next year.

Clayton Kershaw had the potent offense on his side, and his team was not facing elimination. However, he has skeletons in his closet this time of year that are not there for decorative purposes. Over 33 postseason appearances, the three-time Cy Young winner had compiled a 4.60 ERA and a 9-12 record.

He wasn’t spooked Thursday night against Milwaukee. Kershaw fooled Brewers’ hitters for eight innings, holding them scoreless throughout. He relied on breaking balls to get ahead in counts, and his primary putaway pitch appeared to be a sinking fastball. Only four Brewers reached base against him. 13 times a Brewer walked hopelessly back to the dugout after three strikes.

Though, Milwaukee remained in the game as Woodruff was working on a gem of his own. The big right-hander struck out nine Dodgers through 4.1 innings, effectively keeping any one Dodger from crossing home plate.

With runners on first and second in the fifth, A.J. Pollock rolled one to third baseman Luis Urias. Urias stepped on the third base bag for one out, but a bounced throw to first prevented the double play. Los Angeles still had life in the inning.

Austin Barnes singled up the middle to score one. Next up, Mookie Betts, who was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts against Woodruff, ripped a double down the third base line on a 2-0 count to score two more.

Woodruff left the game after 5.2 innings with his team down 3-0. Like the Cardinals and Cubs, the Brewers failed to score in the game.

#2 Luis Castillo vs. Ian Anderson

With his team facing elimination, Luis Castillo put forth 6.1 innings, allowing one run, and striking out seven. But this game was less about him than his counterpart, 22-year-old Ian Anderson.

Anderson stole the show. He held Cincinnati to two hits and no runs over six innings. Brilliant command of his fastball and changeup resulted in very little hard contact, as well as nine strikeouts.

In the game, the Reds encountered just two opportunities with runners in scoring position. They left four runners on base. The Braves won 5-0, but they didn’t score until the fifth inning, and four of their runs came in the eighth after Anderson left the game.

Anderson thrived in a tight competition, in his first postseason start, and his seventh big league start. His confidence must be off the charts as he awaits an outing against the Marlins in the NLDS.