In Wednesday’s other games, the San Diego Padres drew level in their series with the Chicago Cubs after a 3-0 win. Elsewhere, the Cleveland Guardians forced their AL Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers to a deciding game after winning 6-1 in Game 2.

The starting pitching is terrific. The offense is clicking. The Los Angeles Dodgers have opened the postseason on a roll in defense of their World Series title.

Most pundits consider the Dodgers’ roster to be the most talent-laden in the majors. They led the National League in runs scored, thanks in part to a league leading 244 home runs. The lineup is full of threats like Shohei Ohtani (more on him later), Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Will Smith.

For the first time since the 2017 NLDS, the Chicago Cubs have won a playoff series. They held on for a 3-1 win against the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series on Thursday evening at Wrigley Field,