The Astros are a win away from the pennant. Sam Blum writes that the ALCS hasn’t been close.

theathletic.com/3719878/2022/1…

It's the Weirdest, Wildest NLCS Weird & Wild column yet!

*Falter! Clevinger! And the 23-22 game!
*The Phillies' winning script was 1925 all over again!
*HRs from the 1-2-3 spots in one game?
*Trust me. It's a Game 4 thing!
And lots more weirdness
theathletic.com/3720399/2022/1…

“Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” from Kris Kristofferson’s Live at Gilley’s album, recorded at a 1981 show at the club’s original location outside Houston. #kriskristofferson #country #vinyl

The moment Sebastian Steudtner rode a 115ft wave at Nazaré - Portugal in 2018.

Chas McCormick didn’t get recruited by D1 schools. He didn’t get drafted as a junior. He signed for a $1,000 bonus. Now he’s hitting homers for the Astros, on the brink of another World Series.

On an unlikely symbol of Houston’s perpetual hegemony: theathletic.com/3720006/2022/1…

I picked the wrong game to live-blog. Damn, I'm gonna have carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrists before this slugfest is through.

I'll be live-blogging after every half-inning of tonight's NLCS Game 4, for those so inclined to check out that or any of our constantly updated postseason coverage:
theathletic.com/live-blogs/pad…

'Smokey Joe' Williams struck out 27 batters in a single game…he was 44 years of age. It’s the towering man in the back row.

We've got a switch-pitcher alert here in Tuscaloosa! Been looking forward to seeing Mississippi State Baseball freshman Jurrangelo Cijntje, and Bama was kind enough to go L/R/L through the lineup, so Cijntje switched back and forth. 93-94 from right side, 86-88 left, feel to spin from both.

Rob Thomson went for it.

With a potential five games in five days, Thomson was aggressive in his pitching changes, handing the Phillies a 2-1 NLCS lead.

Ken Rosenthal has more from Philadelphia:

theathletic.com/3718362/2022/1…

Here’s Dennis Lin on the Padres: theathletic.com/3717085/2022/1…

“He can take a swing and win the game for you. And so could Matt Stairs. And those guys are hard to find”

In my Game 3 NLCS Weird & Wild, I asked the great Charlie Manuel to compare Kyle Schwarber & the guy whose first pitch he caught, Matt Stairs. So good
theathletic.com/3718260/2022/1…

🎙 Join David O'Brien & E O’Flaherty on a NEW 755 Is Real

-Recapping #Braves season, including disappointing NLDS vs Phillies
- Michael Harris II Gold Glove snub
- Atlanta offseason thoughts

Listen:
🍎apple.co/3TGvhHp
Watch:
📽youtu.be/nhTjPvPIJOQ

#ForTheA

No matter how cool you are, just know Led Zeppelin had a fucking fireplace in their private jet and that’s still the bar.

A magnificent slice of Philly soul on a night the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the NLCS youtu.be/BUh3Hj2-cCo

“Sunbathers” from Strand of Oaks’ 2021 album In Heaven. Another powerful, melodic record from Tim Showalter. #strandofoaks #vinyl

I'll say Astros win WS in five or maybe six games, regardless of who wins NLCS.

Phillies up 2-1 in the NLCS. Winner of Game 3 in this situation goes on to win the series a little over 70 percent of the time.

NL East's third-place team could soon be headed to World Series. All about getting hot at right time, and they are.

*But that was a checked swing :)

theathletic.com/live-blogs/pad…