Summary

  • Two Division Series games live on the BBC on Saturday night

  • Kansas City Royals grind out 1-0 victory at Baltimore Orioles in opening game of AL Wild Card Series

  • Royals hold on after taking the lead off a Bobby Witt Jr. RBI single in the sixth inning

  • Detroit Tigers defeat Houston Astros 3-1 in first AL Wild Card game of the night

  • Tarik Skubal impressive through six innings for the Tigers, giving up just four hits and no runs

  • Astros and Orioles will have to win both remaining games in the series to advance in the post-season

Live Reporting

  1. “Pasquatch” returns and McCann in for the O’s

    BBC Sport

    Vinnie PasquantinoGetty Images

    Vinnie Pasquantino

    The big news for the Royals is the return of Vinnie “Pasquatch” Pasquantino, who has recovered from the broken thumb that kept him out for a month. Michael Massey will be the lead-off hitter with Cole Ragans as starting pitcher.

    The Orioles include right-handed batter James McCann in their line-up. In the outfield Cedric Mullins’ good defence is prioritised as he stays in centre field and Colton Cowser remains at left field. Ryan O’ Hearn is on the bench against his former team.

    Baltimore Orioles: 1. Gunnar Henderson SS; 2. Jordan Westburg 2B; 3. Anthony Santander RF; 4. Ryan Mountcastle 1B; 5. Adley Rutschman DH; 6. Colton Cowser LF; 7. Ramon Urias 3B; 8. Cedric Mullins CF; 9. James McCann C

    Kansas City Royals: 1. Michael Massey 2B; 2. Bobby Witt Jr. SS; 3. Vinnie Pasquantino DH; 4. Salvador Perez C; 5. Yuri Gurriel 1B; 6. MJ Melendez LF; 7. Tommy Pham RF; 8. Kyle Isbel CF; 9. Maikel Garcia 3B

    Starting Pitchers: Cole Ragans (KAN) & Corbin Burnes (BAL)

  2. Alvarez returns for Astros, Skubal on the mound for Detroit

    BBC Sport

    Yordan Alvarez in action for the Houston AstrosGetty Images

    Yordan Alvarez

    Yordan Alvarez is back in the Houston Astros line-up at designated hitter after a right knee sprain, while Framber Valdez will be the starting pitcher for the home team. Justin Verlander has not been included in the Astros post-season roster.

    Triple Crown winning pitcher Tarik Skubal will start on the mound for the Detroit Tigers, who opt for a line-up heavy on left-handers with Andy Ibañez included and Kerry Carpenter left out.

    Detroit Tigers: 1. Matt Vierling 3B; 2. Justyn-Henry Malloy DH; 3. Riley Greene LF; 4. Andy Ibañez 2B; 5. Wenceel Perez RF; 6. Spencer Torkelson 1B; 7. Parker Meadows CF; 8. Jake Rogers C; 9. Trey Sweeney SS

    Houston Astros: 1. Jose Altuve 2B; 2. Yordan Alvarez DH; 3. Kyle Tucker RF; 4. Alex Bregman 3B; 5. Yainer Diaz C; 6. Jeremy Peña SS; 7. Victor Caratini 1B; 8.Mauricio Dubon LF; 9. Jake Meyers CF

    Starting Pitchers: Tarik Skubal (DET) & Framber Valdez (HOU)

  3. Major League Baseball legend Rose dies aged 83

    BBC Sport

    Pete Rose hitting a ball during the 1980s World SeriesGetty Images

    Rose was a 17-time MLB All-Star, but his legacy was tarnished by a lifetime ban

    Pete Rose, Major League Baseball's all-time record holder for hits and a three-time World Series winner, has died aged 83.

    Rose won the World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976 before also claiming it with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.

    Nicknamed 'Charlie Hustle', he won the 1973 National League MVP award and was the 1975 World Series MVP.

    He was also selected for the All-Star Game 17 times in 21 seasons - at an unprecedented five different positions across the infield and outfield.

    To read more, click here

  4. How the post-season works

    BBC Sport

    2024 MLB Wildcard graphicGetty Images

    12 of the 30 MLB teams qualify for the post-season with the ultimate goal of reaching and winning the World Series at the beginning of November.

    To decide the winners of the American League and National League who compete in the World Series, the teams play a knockout competition throughout October.

    The Wild Card (a preliminary round) begins on Tuesday with a 3-game series to decide the final four teams from each league.

    These teams then play knockout games in the best-of-five Division Series, with the winners advancing to the best-of-seven Championship Series.

    The Championship Series winners are crowned American League and National League champions respectively and move on to the best-of-seven World Series.

  5. How to watch MLB on the BBC

    BBC iPlayer

    Houston Astros' Yordan AlvarezGetty Images

    The MLB post-season kicks off with two huge American League Wild Card Series games.

    The big-hitting Houston Astros take on the in-form Detroit Tigers in Texas from 7.30pm (19.30 BST) before the Baltimore Orioles face the Kansas City Royals in a vital opening match in Maryland just after 9.00pm (21.00 BST).

    Felix White (co-host of the Tailenders podcast and former Maccabees guitarist), Xavier Scruggs (former first baseman for the St Louis Cardinals) and Melanie Newman (play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Orioles and host of MLB on BBC) will be in the Bases Covered Live studio bringing you commentary and expert analysis on both games as the Home Runs start flying.

    With just a month until the World Series winner is decided, the road to championship glory starts here.