American League Wild Card Series

The Houston Astros have named Blubaugh as their starting pitcher for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series, with Hunter Brown expected to take the mound for Game 2. The announcement sets the rotation for Houston's playoff opener as the club begins its postseason run, with fans and analysts weighing the pitching choices ahead of the best-of-three series.

MLB has published a breakdown of the top storyline for each Wild Card Series Game 1 as the baseball postseason gets underway. The piece highlights what matters most in every matchup across the American and National League brackets. Fans are weighing in on which storylines will define the opening games of the playoffs.

The MLB postseason begins Tuesday with the American and National League Wild Card Series, but several star players are dealing with injuries that could shape the outcomes. MLB.com takes a look at which key names are hurting, how serious the issues are, and what their availability or diminished production could mean for their teams' chances of advancing.

With the MLB postseason's Wild Card Series underway, attention has turned to how injuries will affect several star players in both the American and National League brackets. MLB.com examines the key names whose health status could shape their teams' chances, leaving clubs and fans weighing lineups and rotations around uncertain contributors.

Garrett Crochet has a chance to make the Boston Red Sox's roster for the American League Wild Card Series, potentially serving as a reliever rather than a starter. MLB reports the move would echo the tone he set at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of last year's AL Wild Card round. Fans are weighing how Boston might deploy its ace in a short postseason series.