What's next for Braves, Dodgers, Twins and Rays after losing in LDS?
Now that they're out of October, we review what went wrong and what these teams need to do to remain contenders.
2019 ScheduleAll times ET
2019 Schedule
97-65, 1st in NL East
On October 11, 1992, Deion Sanders attempted to play two pro sports in the same day
On October 11, 1992, Deion Sanders attempted to play two pro sports in the same day
Snitker: Getting over latest exit will 'take a while'
Manager Brian Snitker had no quick explanation for the Braves' record-tying 10th straight loss in a postseason round and says he will need time to "get over" the team's latest exit, capped with the lopsided loss to the Cardinals in Wednesday's Game 5.
BBTN: Roberts' Decisions, Kershaw's Legacy, ALDS Preview
After the Dodgers fall short in October once again, Buster and Keith Law talk about Dave Roberts' handling of the bullpen and how Clayton Kershaw's poor performance affects his career narrative (20:43). Plus, they discuss Stephen Strasburg's resilience and the Cardinals' thrashing of the Braves. Sarah Langs also plays "The Numbers Game" (38:47) and The Athletic's Jake Kaplan previews tonight's ALDS Game 5 between the Astros and Rays (45:22).
Cards advance after record 10 runs in first inning
The Cardinals didn't wait long to make history Wednesday, scoring 10 runs in the first inning of their Game 5 showdown against the host Braves.
Freeman takes all the blame for elimination (1:57)
Inside the record 10-run first inning that sent the Cards to the NLCS
St. Louis blasted the Atlanta Braves with the biggest opening frame in postseason history. Here's how it went down, in the players' own words.
McCann announces retirement: 'This is it for me' (0:46)
McCann calls it a career after Braves' NLDS exit
Brian McCann, 35, revealed his plans after Atlanta's 13-1 loss to St. Louis in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
This Just In
Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann said following the team's Game 5 NLDS loss to the Cardinals that he's retiring. "This is it for me," he told reporters in the locker room, saying he made the decision about a month and a half ago. "I'm gonna go home, be a dad, and play with those kids." A seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger, McCann hit .249 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 85 games this season.
10-spot: Cards oust Braves from NLDS with record 1st inning
The St. Louis Cardinals scored 10 runs for the biggest opening inning in postseason history and dealt the Atlanta Braves another playoff heartbreak with a 13-1 rout in decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series on Wednesday.
Dan Mullen ESPN.com
So much for Game 5 drama in Atlanta. The Cardinals put up the first 10-run first inning in postseason history and are well on their way to celebrating a spot in the NLCS.
Braves limit Tomahawk Chop in Game 5 of NLDS
The Braves took action to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop" during Game 5 of the NLDS out of respect for Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation.
Hot hand: Braves' Duvall to start Game 5
Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall will start Wednesday in Game 5 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals after coming off the bench in the first four games of the series.
BBTN: ALDS, NLDS Game 5's, Hembo Knows
With three winner-take-all Game 5's now set, Buster and Jon Sciambi break down Tampa's win last night, the Walker Buehler/Stephen Strasburg pitching matchup, Freddie Freeman's struggles and more (11:32). Plus, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch discusses the compelling Braves/Cardinals series, the making of Jack Flaherty and the X-factors for tonight's game (28:38). And, "Hembo Knows" (36:02).
MLB Playoffs Daily: It's win-or-go-home time in both NLDS
What's better than one postseason game for all the marbles? Two postseason games for all the marbles on the same day, of course.
Yadi delivers again. Does he have one more big moment in him?
The Cardinals legend knocked in the tying and winning runs as St. Louis forced a winner-take-all Game 5 against the Braves.
Molina makes throat-slash gesture as Cards win
Yadier Molina made a throat-slashing gesture as he celebrated on the field after hitting the winning sacrifice fly in the 10th inning of the Cardinals' 5-4 victory over the Braves in Game 4 of the NL Division Series on Monday.
Molina wins it in 10th, Cards top Braves 5-4, Game 5 next
Yadier Molina pushed the St. Louis Cardinals to a deciding Game 5 of the NL Division Series, hitting a tying single in the eighth inning and a winning sacrifice fly in the 10th to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 Monday.
Keuchel ineffective on short rest in Braves' loss
The Braves started left-hander Dallas Keuchel on short rest Monday in their 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
BBTN: Clutch Braves, LAD's Dominance, Cap Talk
The Braves pull off a stunning comeback and the Dodgers shell Patrick Corbin. Buster and Tim Kurkjian recap a wild divisional series weekend by discussing Atlanta's clutch gene, the Yankees' plate discipline, if the Rays can salvage a game against the confident Astros and more (14:22). Plus, ESPN's Alden Gonzalez previews tonight's Dodgers/Nationals Game 4 (34:04) and Todd Radom joins for a playoff-themed "Cap Talk" (42:56).
Before he goes 'back into the zoo' of free agency, Keuchel is dealing for the Braves
The veteran lefty isn't happy with how teams operate in the offseason, but Dallas Keuchel is taking care of business for Atlanta.
MLB Playoffs Daily: Will Cards, Nats, Rays or Twins survive?
The stakes couldn't be higher, with four teams playing for their postseason lives and four hoping to move on to the LCS round.
Braves' rally in ninth shows their playoff run could have legs
With Dansby Swanson and Adam Duvall delivering the big blows, Atlanta's depth and resilience did in the Cardinals.
Cards won't rethink closer after Martinez tagged
Though Cardinals manager Mike Shildt says they'll "evaluate" the situation, he's not running away from closer Carlos Martinez after the righty blew the save in a critical loss to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Sunday.
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2019 NL East Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 97 | 65 | .599 | - | L3 |
| Washington | 93 | 69 | .574 | 4 | W8 |
| New York | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11 | W3 |
| Philadelphia | 81 | 81 | .500 | 16 | L1 |
| Miami | 57 | 105 | .352 | 40 | W1 |
2019 Team Leaders
- Batting
- Pitching
BATTING AVERAGE
Home Runs
RUNS BATTED IN
Earned Run Average
Wins
Strikeouts
Team Stats
- Pitching
- Batting
Earned Run Average4.1910th
Quality Starts76Tied-7th
WHIP1.3619th
BAA.25619th
Runs8557th
Batting Average.2589th
On Base Percentage.3367th
Slugging Percentage.4528th