Inept would be a kind way to characterize the Yankees' offense in the ALCS. Current numbers through 6th inning of Game 3:

- BA: .120 (10 for 83)
- OBP: .198
- SLG: .229
- Runs: 4
- Strikeouts: 36
- Walks: 7
- Total bases: 18 (same number Jeremy Peña and Chas McCormick combined)

The team that scores first is 21-9 this postseason.

The team that outhomers its opponent is 17-5 this postseason.

The Astros are up, 2-0, after Chas McCormick short-porched a ball after Harrison Bader dropped a fly ball that would have been the third out of the second inning.

FINAL: Phillies 4, Padres 2

It wasn't pretty. Sometimes it was quite ugly. But it was enough. And isn't that Philadelphia's season? Leadoff homer by Kyle Schwarber. Clutch hit by Jean Segura. Six-out Seranthony Dominguez save. And the Phillies are two wins from the World Series.

Kyle Schwarber again. Leadoff homer off Joe Musgrove. Phillies lead, 1-0. It is very loud at CBP.

OFFICIAL: Bruce Bochy has been named the 20th full-time manager in franchise history.

In order to balance tweeting out Alden González’s wonderful story on the Padres’ Polaroid wall, I’m going to grab a roast pork and a cheesesteak and alternate bites between the two and fully embrace the best sandwich city in America before Game 3 of the NLCS. Good day ahead.

Joe Musgrove bought a Polaroid camera, started a unique dugout celebration and sprouted a massive mural. Some day it’ll make for a good coffee-table book — but it isn’t finished.

The Padres’ season, told through their favorite photos: es.pn/3MXnaEs

FINAL: Astros 3, Yankees 2

Framber Valdez was a dude, like always. Alex Bregman provided all the offense Houston needed. Both runs New York scored were unearned. Astros now up 2-0 and still haven’t lost a game this postseason.

Game 3 Saturday in the Bronx. Must-win for Yankees.

“This guy, he’s different.”

On Yordan Álvarez, one of the best hitters in the world, and his many feats — of Festivus-quality strength, of elite bat control and of stepping up in the postseason for the Houston Astros.

Story at ESPN, free and unlocked: espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

FINAL: Astros 4, Yankees 2

In Game 1 of the ALCS, the Astros do what they do. Great starting pitching from Justin Verlander. Big relief arms. Outhomered their opponent for the fourth time in four playoff games. Yankees K’d 17 times.

Astros still haven’t lost this postseason.

FINAL: Padres 8, Phillies 5

Down 4-0, on the brink of real trouble, San Diego storms back with an incredible fifth inning. Josh Hader looks dominant. Petco was madness. And the series is now tied as it heads back to Philadelphia for Joe Musgrove vs. Ranger Suarez in Game 3.

FINAL: Phillies 2, Padres 0

Zack Wheeler was absolutely brilliant, allowing just one hit over seven innings. Kyle Schwarber hit a home run to Balboa Park. Bryce Harper blasted his fourth homer of the playoffs. And Philadelphia staved off a ninth-inning rally to steal home field.

Home runs in the pitch-tracking era, since 2008, of at least 119.7 mph:

Giarcarlo Stanton: 121.7 mph, Aug. 9, 2018

Giancarlo Stanton: 121.3 mph, July 25, 2020

Aaron Judge: 121.1 mph, June 10, 2017

Giancarlo Stanton: 119.8 mph, June 11, 2022

Kyle Schwarber: 119.7 mph, tonight

Kyle Schwarber just hit a home run off Yu Darvish that went an estimated 488 feet. My goodness.

FINAL: Yankees 5, Guardians 1

New York throttles Cleveland to advance to the American League Championship Series. For the third time in six years, it’s a Yankees-Astros ALCS. Houston won the first two.

Game 1 is tomorrow at 7:37 p.m. ET. Justin Verlander vs. Jameson Taillon.

'What do we have as fans if not hope entering a season...'

Jeff Passan joins Jeremy Schaap to discuss the benefits of having more teams included in the new MLB postseason format.

Yankees and Guardians are rained out. Game 5 will be Tuesday at 4:07 p.m. ET. The ALCS starts Wednesday.

'Baseball's just a really funny game.'

The first two rounds of the MLB playoffs have been taut, tense, filled with great pitching and clutch hitting -- and, best of all, wildly unpredictable. Column, free and unlocked, on the wonder of this past weekend: es.pn/3VyZcTP

The Padres win, 5-3. They won three straight NLDS games, the last one in epic, come-from-behind fashion, and have slayed the dragon up the freeway. They’ll have home-field advantage in the unlikeliest of CS matchups vs the Phillies. The Dodgers and their 111-win season are done.