LCS Gamethreads: NLCS Game 2, Atlanta vs. Dodgers/ALCS Game 3, Rays vs. Astros

In the opener, the man with the flute Ian Anderson takes the mound for Atlanta, facing last-minute replacement for Clayton Kershaw (out with back spasms), Tony Gonsolin. Kershaw is hoping to be back to start Game 4.

The Braves lost left fielder Adam Duvall for the remainder of the NLCS, after he strained his oblique swinging in an early Game 1 at-bat.

NLCS Game 2 is on FS1 at 6 p.m.

In the nightcap, the Rays try to take a three-game lead on the TrashCans. There’s been a lot of talk of Tampa’s defense, and luck, on hard-hit balls (Houston is a meager 9-of-25 off of such 95 mph-plus contact so far in two games).

“How do you win close ballgames and be good at it, over time?” Rays manager Kevin Cash mused after Game 2. “You’ve got to make plays.”

Ryan Yarbrough starts for the Rays, against Houston’s José Urquidy.

First pitch for the AL series is thrown at 7:30 p.m. on TBS.

Here’s the schedule (best-of-seven, italics below are games “if necessary,” times CST)

Sunday, October 11
ALCS Game 1: Rays 2, Astros 1

Monday, October 12
ALCS, Game 2: Rays 4, Astros 2
NLCS Game 1: Atlanta 5, Dodgers 1

Tuesday, October 13
ALCS Game 3, Astros vs. Rays, San Diego, TBS, 5 p.m.
NLCS Game 2, Atlanta vs. Dodgers, Arlington, FS1, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 14
ALCS Game 4, Astros vs. Rays winner, San Diego, TBS
NLCS Game 3, Dodgers vs. Atlanta, Arlington, FOX or FS1

Thursday, October 15
ALCS Game 5, Astros vs. Rays winner, San Diego, TBS
NLCS, Game 4, Dodgers vs. Atlanta, Arlington, FOX or FS1

Friday, October 16
ALCS Game 6, Astros vs. Rays winner, San Diego, TBS
NLCS, Game 5, Dodgers vs. Atlanta, Arlington, FOX or FS1

Saturday, October 17
ALCS Game 7, Astros vs. Rays winner, San Diego, TBS
NLCS Game 6, Atlanta vs. Dodgers, Arlington, FOX or FS1

Sunday, October 18
NLCS Game 7, Atlanta vs. Dodgers, Arlington, FOX or FS1