MLB Playoffs - Players of the Day
March, April Players of the Day | May POTD | June POTD | July POTD | August POTD | Sept. POTD
Continuing coverage of the American and National League post-season playoffs and World Series, plus MLB Players of the Day.
October 28, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / World Series Game 4
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crushed a 3rd-inning, two-run homer off Dodger starter, Shohei Ohtani, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead, sending the Blue Jays on to a 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game Four of the World Series, Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Guerrero also singled in the 9th and was intentionally walked with first base open in the 7th inning, coming around to score on Addison Barger’s two-out single as the Blue Jays broke the game open with four runs.
The Dodgers scored a run in the ninth, but Toronto reliever, Louis Varland, shut the door after that. Shane Bieber (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) took the win, his second of the post-season without a loss. Shohei Ohtani, proving he is, after all, human, was saddled with the loss, his first of the post-season, against two prior wins.
Game Five is Wednesday night at 8:00 pm ET in Los Angeles. With the series tied at two games apiece, a Game Six in Toronto is assured. If there is a Game Seven, it will also be in Toronto. All start times are 8:00 pm ET.
October 27, 2025 MLB Player of the Day / World Series Game 3
It took 18 innings - 6 hours and 39 minutes - but Freddie Freeman (left) ended a marathon Game Three of the World Series with a walk-off home run leading off the bottom of the 18th for a 6-5 Los Angeles win over the Blue Jays, putting the Dodgers up, two games to one, in the best-of-seven championship.
The 18-inning game matched the longest in World Series history, also played at Dodger Stadium, when the Dodgers outlasted the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the 2018 World Series on Max Muncy’s walk-off homer.
A total of 19 pitchers performed during the marathon - 10 for the Dodgers; nine for the Blue Jays.
Not in the least overshadowed by Freeman’s heroic game-winner, Shohei Ohtani (right) became the first player with four extra-base hits in a single World Series contest since 1906, as well as the first player ever to reach base nine times in a single playoff or World Series game.
Ohtani doubled in his first at-bat to lead off the bottom of the 1st against Toronto’s Max Scherzer; homered in his second trip to the plate in the bottom of the 3rd; doubled again in the bottom of the 5th; and tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the 7th with a second solo homer. After that, Ohtani was walked the next five times he appeared at the plate, four of them intentionally. Ohtani was 4-for-4, with two doubles, two home runs, three runs and three RBI.
Ohtani tied the modern record for extra base hits held by Frank Isbell of the Chicago White Sox, who doubled four times in Game 5 of the 1906 World Series. The White Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs in six games.
Game Four is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Game Five is Wednesday, also in Los Angeles. If there is a Game Six and/or Seven, they would be played in Toronto.
October 25, 2025 MLB Player of the Day / World Series Game 2
Yoshinobu gave up a run in the third inning, when George Springer scored on a sac fly by Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk. Springer had reached base after being hit by an errant Yamamoto pitch and moved to third on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s single to left.
After that, including Kirk’s fly to center, Yamamoto didn’t allow another baserunner, setting down the next 20 Blue Jay batters in order, striking out eight with no walks. The complete game was the second in a row by Yamamoto in this season’s playoffs. He went the distance in Game Two of the NLCS, shutting down the Milwaukee Brewers by the same, 5-1, score. Yamamoto is 3-1 with a 1.57 ERA in the 2025 post-season.
Games Three, Four, and Five will be played in Los Angeles, at Dodger Stadium. All games are scheduled for 8:00 pm ET starts. If necessary, Games Six and Seven will be back in Toronto.
October 24, 2025 MLB Player of the Day / World Series Game 1
The Toronto Blue Jays showed off their power at the plate, banging out 14 hits to take Game One of the 2025 World Series over the Dodgers with an 11-4 romp.
Daulton Varsho broke a 2-2 tie in the 6th inning with a two-run homer, starting the Blue Jays off on what turned out to be a nine-run frame at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Addison Barger delivered the most crushing blow, a grand slam, the first ever by a pinch-hitter in World Series history. Barger is batting .324 with three home runs and eight RBI in his first post-season.
Catcher Alejandro Kirk completed Toronto’s big inning with a two-run blast to left-center.
Barger, who was called on to pinch-hit for left fielder, Davis Schneider, teed off on a 2-1 curve ball from Dodger reliever, Anthony Banda, depositing the ball in the right field stands. Banda also allowed Kirk’s home run. Vasho’s tie-breaking shot came off LA starter, Blake Snell. The Dodgers scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings. Shohei Ohtani added a two-run homer in the 7th.
Toronto’s victory was the team’s first since Joe Carter socked a bottom-of-the-9th, three-run homer in 1993 to finish off the Oakland A’s in five games.
Game Two is 8:00 pm ET Saturday night, after which the series heads to Los Angeles for Games Three and Four, and, if necessary, Game Five.
October 20, 2025 MLB Player of the Day
The World Series is set.
George Springer socked a 7th-inning three-run homer that lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game Seven of the ALCS, sending the Blue Jays to the World Series and the Seattle Mariners home disappointed.
Springer, who walked to lead off Toronto’s 1st inning and scored the Blue Jays’ first run, got his chance after Addison Barger led off the 7th with a walk and Ian Kiner-Falefa singled. Both runners moved up a base on Andres Giminez’ sac bunt, setting the stage for Springer, who took a 1-0 offering from Mariners’ reliever, Eduard Bazardo into the left field stands at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, sending the partisan crowd into a post-season frenzy.
Holding the slim, one-run lead, Chris Bassitt set down the Mariners in order in the 8th inning and closer Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the 9th, sealing the victory for Toronto, sending them to the World Series for the first time since 1993.
With Toronto capturing the American League pennant, they will host the Dodgers of the National League for the first two games of the World Series, with Games Three, Four, and Five - if necessary - in Los Angeles. If Games Six and Seven are needed, they will be played in Toronto.
The World Series starts Friday, October 24. All games will be broadcast nationally by FOX.
October 19, 2025 MLB Player of the Day
Addison Barger singled home Toronto’s first run in the 2nd inning, then made the score 4-0 with a two-run homer in the 3rd, leading the Blue Jays to a 6-2 win over Seattle in Game Six of the ALDS.
Toronto’s victory evened the series at three games apiece, setting up a decisive Game Seven on Monday for the AL crown, the winner heading to the World Series to face the Dodgers, champions of the National League. The World Series begins Friday, October 24.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also homered for the Blue Jays. He has hit six post-season dingers and is batting .462. Ernie Clement doubled and tripled Sunday, raising his playoff batting average to .447.
Game Seven is Monday at 8:08 pm at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. George Kirby goes to the mound for Seattle with Shane Bieber pitching for the Blue Jays.
October 17, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Eugenio Suarez swatted a pair of home runs - a solo shot and a grand slam - to lead the Mariners in a 6-2 win over the Blue Jays Friday in Seattle, taking a 3-2 lead in the ALDS with the first win in the series by a home team.
Suarez who mashed 49 homers during the regular season, got the Mariners on the board in the 2nd with his solo home run of Toronto starter, Kevin Gausman, but Toronto scored single runs in the 5th and 6th innings for a 2-1 lead.
After Cal Raleigh tied the game in the 8th, the Mariners loaded the bases and Suarez launched over the left field wall of T-Mobile Park for the put-away grand slam.
The series moves back to Toronto after a day off Saturday. Sunday’s Game Six is set for an 8:03 pm ET start. The Mariners have two chances to advance to the World Series for the first time in their 48-year existence, though the Blue Jays may have other ideas. The Mariners joined the American League in 1977.
The Blue Jays, established as an expansion team in 1977 along with the Mariners, have not been to a World Series since 1993, when they won their second of two straight championships.
Shohei Ohtani single-handedly sent the Milwauke Brewers into the off-season with one of the greatest displays of post-season baseball prowess ever witnessed.
Leading the series, three games to none, Ohtani, the starting pitcher for the Dodgers in Game Four belted three solo home runs as the leadoff DH and pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out 10 to lead the Dodgers to a 5-1 win and the opportunity to win a second straight World Series.
Ohtani started the game off by walking leadoff hitter, Brice Turang, but then struck out the next three batters. Leading off the bottom of the 1st, Ohtani launched the first of three mammoth blasts, reaching the pavilion in the upper reaches of the right field stands at Dodger Stadium. After walking in the 2nd inning, Ohtani launched again in the 4th, this time hitting the pavilion roof, measuring some 469 feet.
His third homer - a straightaway blast to center - came in the 7th, completing the Dodgers’ scoring and sending them onto the World Series, which begins on Friday, October 24. The Dodgers would be the home team if Seattle wins the ALCS, and the road team for Games One and Two if Toronto is the AL entrant. Home field is based on regular season records and the Dodgers won the NL West with a mark of 93-68. Toronto won the AL East with the league’s best record, 94-68. The Mariners won the AL West with a 90-72 record.
The Dodgers swept the Brewers, who had the best record in the majors (97-65), giving up one run in each of the four victories. The Dodgers are 9-1 this post-season.
October 16, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Andres Gimenez, batting in the nine-hole, mashed a 2nd-inning, two-run homer and drove in two more with a single in the 8th as the Toronto Blue Jays evened the ALCS at Seattle with an 8-2 win.
For the fourth straight time, the road team won in the ALCS. The Mariners took the first two games in Toronto, and the Blue Jays have responded by takings Games Three and Four at t-mobile Park in Seattle.
A decisive Game Five is scheduled for 6:08 pm ET Friday with Games Six and Seven (if necessary) at Toronto Sunday and Monday.
Tyler Glasnow delivered a third straight strong pitching performance and the LA Dodgers took a commanding 3-0 lead in the NLCS with a 3-1 win Thursday in Los Angeles.
Glasnow worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing just a single run on three hits, walking three and striking out eight would-be Milwaukee batters.
Dodger pitching has been magnificent in the league championship series, allowing Milwaukee just one run per game. The Dodgers took Game One, 2-1, and Game two, 5-1.
On the brink of advancing to their second straight World Series, the Dodgers host the Brewers in Game Four on Friday, at 8:38 pm ET.
October 15, 2025 MLB Player of the Day / Playoff Update
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays got back on track in Seattle Wednesday as Toronto took Game Three of the ALDS, 13-4.
Guerrero went 4-for-4 and also drew a walk, smashing a solo home run and two doubles, scoring three times and driving in one. The Blue Jays socked five home runs, hitting one each in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 9th innings of the rout, banging out 18 hits off a quartet of Seattle hurlers.
The win was the third straight for the road team in this series. The Mariners hold a 2-1 advantage, with Games Four and Five in Seattle. Game Four is scheduled for Thursday, with the first pitch at 8:33 pm ET.
There was no National League game on Wednesday. The NLCS resumes Thursday in Los Angeles, with the Dodgers hosting Milwaukee. LA is up, two game to none.
October 14, 2025 MLB Player of the Day / Playoff Update
Jackson Chourio touched up Los Angeles starter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, for a home run on the first pitch to lead off the bottom of the 1st inning, but that was all the Brewers could muster as the Dodgers downed Milwaukee, 5-1, to take a commanding two games to none lead in the NCLS.
After Chourio’s blast, Yamamoto surrendered only two more hits, walked one and struck out seven, throwing 81 of 111 pitches for strikes in a complete game masterwork. It was the first post-season complete game in eight years. Justin Verlander, in Game Two of the 2017 ALCS threw the last complete game for Houston, defeating the New York Yankees.
Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez each knocked solo homers for the Dodgers. Hernandez tied the game in the 2nd inning; Muncy added insurance with his bomb in the 5th.
The Dodgers took both games in Milwaukee as the next three (if necessary) will be played in Los Angeles, with Game Three is Thursday, at 6:08 pm ET.
The ALCS resumes Wednesday in Seattle, when the Mariners host the Blue Jays in Game Three. Seattle holds a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series. Game time is 8:08 pm ET.
October 13, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / Playoffs Update
Toronto’s failure to score runs and the inability of their pitching staff to handle the middle of the Mariners’ lineup resulted in a 10-3 Seattle win in Game Two of the ALCS, putting the Mariners up two games to none as the series shifts west to Seattle.
The 3, 4 and 5 hitters in Seattle’s lineup accounted for eight of the 10 Mariner RBI in Monday’s contest. Julio Rodriguez, Jorge Polanco, and Josh Naylor each homered, with Polanco’s the decisive blow, a three-run, 5th-inning blast that unknotted a 3-3 tie.
Polanco, who was 2-for-5, was also aboard for Naylor’s sixth inning blast. The Mariners got on the board quickly with three 1st-inning runs. Leadoff batter, Randy Arozarena, was plunked by Toronto starter Trey Yesavage , followed by a walk to Cal Raeiigh and a home run to left by Rodriquez. The Blue Jays countered with two runs in the bottom of the 1st and another run in the second, but, similar to Game One, they failed to score thereafter.
With Seattle taking both games in Toronto, they are as close to reaching the World Series - a feat no Mariners team has done in its 48-year existence - as ever. Games three, four, and five - if necessary - are in Seattle, with Game Three scheduled for a 8:08 pm ET start on Wednesday. The Mariners franchise was established in 1977 and are the only MLB team to have never played in the World Series.
Seattle and Tampa Bay are the only AL teams to have not won the World Series. In the National League, the Brewers, Padres and Rockies have never won the World Series.
Blake Snell quieted Milwaukee bats in Game One of the NLCS, giving up only a 3rd inning single over eight innings of shutout ball as the LA Dodgers prevailed, 2-1 over the Brewers Monday night.
Snell was simply untouchable. After Caleb Durbin’s leadoff single in the 3rd, he did not allow another baserunner, setting down 18 in a row with neither a hit nor a walk, striking out 10. Backing Snell’s mound brilliance was Freddie Freeman, whose 6th-inning solo homer was the first number on the scoreboard. Mookie Betts’ bases-loaded walk in the 9th provided what proved to be the game-winner as the Brewers rallied for a run in the bottom of the 9th off LA reliever Roki Sasaki, but eventually fell short. With the bases loaded and a run already in, Blake Treinen struck out Brice Turang to end the game.
Blake Snell has now won a game against each of the Dodgers’ post-season opponents. His 3-0 record includes a 10-5 win over the Reds in the Wild Card in which he allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings. Monday night’s win was his second straight 0ne-hit outing. On October 6, he shut down the Phillies on one hit over six innings in a 4-3 win.
Snell’s 2025 post-season numbers are incredible. Over 21 innings he’s struck out 28 and walked five, with an ERA of 0.86 and a 0.52 WHIP.
Game two is Tuesday in Milwaukee with first pitch at 8:08 pm ET.
October 12, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Jorge Polanco drove in two runs with a pair of singles in Game One of the ALCS as Seattle upended the Blue Jays, 3-1, Sunday in Toronto.
George Springer opened Toronto’s 1st inning with a solo homer, but the Blue Jays could not crack Mariners’ starter Bryce Miller, who allowed just one more hit over six innings and earning the win. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh tied the game with a solo shot in the sixth, and Polanco followed up with his first RBI single, plating Julio Rodriguez for a 2-1 lead.
In his next at-bat, Polanco singled home Randy Arozarena with an insurance run. Seattle’s bullpen held the Blue Jays hitless over the final three innings, securing the victory.
Game Two starts Monday night at 5:03 pm ET.
The NLCS opens Monday in Milwaukee, with the Brewers hosting the Dodgers at 8:08 pm. Milwaukee is also the home team for Game Two, Tuesday at the same start time.
The Brewers earned home field with the National League’s best regular season record (97-65) and a Game Five, 3-1, win over the Cubs in the NLDS.
October 10, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / Playoff Update
2024 Cy Young award winner, Tarik Skubal, turned in one of the great post-season pitching performances of all time, striking out 13 Seattle hitters over six innings, allowing one run on two hits without surrendering any walks.
Skubal, who exited the game after 99 pitches, fanned seven straight from the last out in the Mariners’ 2nd, striking out the side in both the 3rd and 4th innings. He left after getting AL home run champion, Cal Raleigh, on three straight fastballs, the last two registering at 101 MPH, ending the 6th. After giving up a run in the second, Skubal didn't allow another baserunner, setting down 13 straight Mariners.
Along with Seattle’s George Kirby, the pitching duel over the initial innings of
the Mariners’ eventual 3-2 win in 15 innings did not result in a decision for either starter. Kirby, who left with a 1-0 lead after a leadoff double by Javier Baez in the 6th inning, saw his chance for a win erased by Kerry Carpenter, who greeted reliever Gabe Speier with a massive, 411-foot homer, bringing home Baez and putting the Tigers up, 2-1. Kirby struck out six with no walks, allowing only three hits. The Baez run was Kirby’s responsibility.
Skubal also saw his lead disappear in the 7th, when Leo Rivas plated Jorge Polanco from third, tying the game at 2-all.
Nether team was able to score again until Seattle finally broke through with a walk-off, bases-loaded by Polanco off Detroit reliever Tommy Kahnle, sending the 47,025 fans at T-Mobile Park into a frenzy and the Mariners to the ALCS.
Seattle will travel to Toronto to meet up with the Blue Jays in Game One of the best-of-seven series on Sunday, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:03 pm ET. FOX will broadcast the game live nationwide.
There were no National League games Thursday. On Saturday, October 11, the Milwaukee Brewers host the Chicago Cubs in Game Five of their best-of-five NLDS, the winner advancing to the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Game time for the winner-take-all Game Five is 8:08 pm ET.
October 9, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / Playoff Update
American League
There were no games played in the American League on Thursday. The Seattle Mariners host the Detroit Tigers, Friday, October 10, in Game Five of the ALDS, the winner moving on to the ALCS to meet the Toronto Blue Jays, starting Sunday, at 8:03 pm ET in Toronto.
Friday’s game is slated for an 8:08 pm ET start.
Ian Happ slugged a three-run homer in the first inning off Milwaukee starter, Freddy Peralta, leading the Cubs to a 6-0 victory over the Brewers in Game Four of the NLDS at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
Happ’s blast was one of three Chicago homers. Kyle Tucker (7th inning) and Michael Busch (8th) sent out solo shots. Cubs’ starter, Matthew Boyd allowed two hits and no runs over 4 2/3rd innings. Four Chicago relievers finished the whitewash of the NL Central champs, setting up Game Five, winner-take-all for Saturday, October 11, in Milwaukee. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 pm ET.
The LA Dodgers earned style points in Game Four, taking out the Phillies in the NLDS, three games to one. The Dodgers scored a 2-1 victory on a 7th-inning, bases loaded walk to Mookie Betts and an 11th-inning, bases-loaded, two out throwing error by Phillies’ reliever Orion Kerkering, who fielded Andy Pages’ comebacker but inexplicably threw to home, actually up the third base line from catcher J.T. Realmuto, allowing Hyesong Kim to waltz home from third base with the winning run.
The Dodgers will start the NLCS either as visitors to Milwaukee or as hosts to the Cubs, depending on the outcome of Saturday’s Game Five. Whatever team advances to meet up with the Dodgers, the NLCS will begin on Monday, October 13.
October 8, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / Playoff Update
Batting in the nine-hole, Javier Baez provided the bulk of Detroit’s offense, as the Tigers forced a decisive Game Five with a 9-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.
After the Mariners had forged a 3-0 lead, the Tigers began nibbling away in the 5th inning, with Baez driving in the tying run with a scratch single to left. In the 6th, the Tigers added four more, with Baez capping off the frame with a two-run homer. In the 8th, Baez grounded into a fielder’s choice with runners on first and third, plating Detroit’s final score.
Detroit’s win forces Game Five, slated for an 8:08 first pitch Friday in Seattle.
The other ALDS was settled, with the Blue Jays taking out the Yankees, 5-2, winning the series three games to one. Toronto got timely hitting and some help from Jazz Chisholm’s two-run error in the 7th innings for the win. Toronto employed eight pitchers to hold the Yankees to just six hits.
Kyle Schwarber swatted a pair of home runs and drove in three as the Phillies avoided elimination with an 8-2 win in Los Angeles, after the Dodgers had taken the first two games of the series. Game Four will be played Thursday in LA, with the start time at 6:08 pm ET.
The Cubs won Game Three, 4-3, over the Brewers, Wednesday in Chicago, sending the NLDS to a Game Four Thursday at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs scored all of their runs in the 1st inning and a solid performance from starter Jameson Taillon and five relievers made the score stand up. Game Four is Thursday night, 9:08 pm ET.
October 7, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Likely to be named AL MVP for a second straight season, Aaron Judge keyed a rally that sent the Yankees to a come-from-behind, 9-6, win over Toronto, staving off elimination in Game Three of the ALDS.
Trailing 6-1 in the 3rd inning, Judge, who had already scored the first Yankee tally in the 1st inning, doubled home Trent Grisham and then tied the game an inning later with a three-run homer that caromed off the left field foul pole. After Jazz Chisholm’s solo homer in the fifth put the Yankees ahead, 7-6, Judge scored on a sac fly in the 6th to complete the scoring. Judge finished 3-for-4, scoring three times with four RBI.
New York’s relief staff held the Blue Jays scoreless on three hits after starter Carlos Rodon was shelled for six runs, on six hits and a pair of walks in just 2 1/3 innings. Game Four is Wednesday evening (7:08 pm ET) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The Blue Jays continue to hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series.
Seattle took the advantage in the other ALDS, defeating the Tigers, 8-4, in Detroit, going up two games to one in the series. Seattle starter Logan Gilbert kept the Detroit bats quiet, allowing a single run on four hits, fanning seven over six innings.
Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford each socked solo homers, and Cal Raleigh had a two-run dinger in the 9th. Raleigh had earlier singled in a run and finished the game 2-for-4, with three RBI. Game Four is Wednesday in Detroit. First pitch is slated for 3:08 pm ET.
There were no National League games Tuesday. Both series resume Wednesday, with the Brewers looking to knock off the Cubs starting at 5:08 pm ET in Chicago. Milwaukee leads the NLDS, 2-1. At 9:08 pm ET in Los Angeles, the Dodgers look to send the Phillies packing. LA leads the series, two games to one.
Today, October 8, is the 69th anniversay of Don Larsen's 1956 World Series perfect game. IdleGuy.com devoted its daily quiz to commeorate the achievement.
October 6, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
American League
There were no American League games on Monday. The teams return to action in the ALDS on Tuesday, with the Blue Jays leading the Yankees, two games to one, the series set for Game Three in New York. With the Yankees facing elimination, they send Carlos Rodon to the mound to face Toronto’s Shane Bieber. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 pm ET.
Detroit and Seattle are deadlocked at a game apiece as the series moves to the Motor City. Jack Flaherty gets the start for the Tigers with the Mariners sending Logan Gilbert to the mound. Game time is 4:08 pm ET. Both ALDS contests will be aired on Fox’s FS1.
Blake Snell stymied Philadelphia hitters on Monday, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out nine over six innings of shutout ball.
The Dodgers took a commanding 2-0 lead in the NLDS with a 4-3 victory, leaving the Phillies on the brink of elimination as the series heads to Los Angeles for Game Three Wednesday.
Snell, who spent the majority of the regular season on the DL, has been solid down the stretch and in the playoffs for the Dodgers. Sidelined from April 2nd to August 2nd, Snell finished the regular season with a 4-3 mark, his final three starts outstanding, allowing just one run over 17 innings on seven hits.
In the Wild Card series against the Reds, he earned a post-season win, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings. Monday’s effort resulted in another playoff win for the 32-year-old hurler, despite the Dodger bullpen nearly wasting his effort, giving up a run to the Phillies in the 8th and two more in the 9th, the tying run ending up stranded on third base.
Game time Wednesday in LA is 9:08 pm ET, with Aaron Nola starting for the Phillies and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound for the Dodgers.
In the Midwest NLDS, the Milwaukee Brewers went up two games on the Cubs with a 7-3 win. After the Cubs had taken a 1st inning 3-0 lead on Seiya Suzuki’s home run, the Brewers responded with three of their own in the bottom of the frame, Andrew Vaughn smashing a three-run blast with two down in the inning. William Contreras made it 4-3 in the third inning and Jackson Chourio put the game out of reach with a three-run shot in the 4th.
Neither team scored after that, putting the Cubs in danger of elimination as the series moves to Chicago for Game Three on Wednesday with the pitching match-up Quinn Priester for Milwaukee against the Cubs’ Jameson Taillon. First pitch is 5:08 pm ET.
October 5, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Toronto clubbed the Yankees, 13-7, in Game Two of the ALDS, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series that heads to New York on Tuesday for Games Three and (if necessary) Four.
The AL Player of the Day could have been any one of three players. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 3-for-5, socked a grand slam and scored twice. Blue Jay starter Trey Yesavage threw 5 1/3 innings of no-hit ball, walked one and struck out 11 Yankees, but
Daulton Varsho had a memorable outing, going 4-for-5, with two doubles and two home runs, driving in four runs and scoring four times.
After going 2-for-3 in Game One, Varsho leads all players with a .750 batting average in the series.
There were no National League games Sunday. Games Two of the dual NLDS are slated for Monday with the Dodgers at Philadelphia starting at 6:08 pm ET, and the Cubs at Milwaukee at 9:08 pm ET.
Milwaukee and Los Angeles lead the respective series, 1-0.
October 4, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Alejandro Kirk smacked a pair of solo homers, Vladimir Guerrero also hit one and drove in another run with a sac fly, and the Blue Jays scored four times in the 7th and 8th innings to break open a tight Game One, eventually slaughtering the Yankees, 10-1 Saturday in Toronto.
Kirk has been a home run hero for the Blue Jays, socking three long drives in Toronto’s last two regular season game, two of which came in their season-ending clincher of the AL East division title, when he drove in six runs.
Game Two of the best-of-five series is Sunday at 4:08 pm ET.
Detroit took Game One in Seattle Saturday, edging the Mariners, 3-2, in 11 innings, as Zach McKinstry singled home Spencer Torkelson with the go-ahead run in the top of the frame. The Tigers and Mariners face off again Sunday at 8:03 pm ET.
Leadoff hitter, Jackson Chourio, went 3-for-3, with a pair of singles and a double, scoring once and driving in three as the Brewers trounced the Cubs, 9-3, in Game One of the NLDS Saturday in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee tied a franchise record, scoring six runs in the first inning, making quick work of the wild card Cubs, who were fresh off defeating the Padres in the Wild Card best-of-three.
In Philadelphia, Teoscar Hernandez struck out three times but didn’t miss in the 7th inning, when he blasted a three-run homer to turn the table on the Phillies, changing a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 advantage for the Dodgers. The home run proved to be the winning margin in LA’s Game One, 5-3, victory.
National League teams get Sunday off prior to Game Two of their respective series. Both resume Monday, with the Phillies hosting the Dodgers at 6:08 pm ET and Brewers taking another shot at the Cubs in Milwaukee, first pitch at 9:08 pm ET.
October 2, 2025 MLB Players of the Day
Division series combatants are all set with the completion of the wild card series Thursday. The four best-of-five division series all begin Saturday, October 4.
Wrapping up in the American League, rookie hurler,
Cam Schlittler tossed eight brilliant innings of shutout ball, leading to a 4-0 Yankee win over Boston, wrapping up the wild card, two games to one, in the Bronx. The Yankees meet the Blue Jays Saturday in Toronto.
Schlittler allowed five hits, fanned 12 and didn’t walk a batter. David Bednar came on in relief in the 9th with a hitless inning to secure the victory. The rookie didn’t allow a hit after Trevor Story’s leadoff single in the sixth, setting down the last nine Red Sox in order. Schlittler threw 75 of 107 pitches for strikes. New York scored all of its runs in the 4th, stringing together a leadoff double by Cody Bellinger, three singles, and a fielder’s choice.
In Cleveland, the Tigers rallied for a 6-3 win over the Guardians, atoning for giving up the AL Central crown with just days remaining in the regular season. Detroit won the Wild Card opener, 2-1, dropped Game Two, 6-1, and finished the job with Thursday’s victory.
Detroit travels to Seattle to face the Mariners in the opener of the best-of-five ALDS Saturday.
With the Dodgers having already eliminated the Reds, setting up a NLDS with the Phillies starting Saturday in Philadelphia,
Michael Busch socked a 7th-inning solo homer to put away the San Diego Padres with a 3-1 Cubs’ win.
Busch went 3-for-4 and batted .400 for the three-game series. The Cubs advance to play at NL Central division winner, Milwaukee, Saturday. Game time is 2:08 pm ET.
TV rights for the divisional and championship series are split between TBS and FOX, with TBS covering the National League and FOX the American. FOX has exclusive rights for the World Series.
Complete schedules for the remaining playoff games are available on the IdleGuy.com October Calendar.
October 1, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / Game Recaps
With the score tied, 3-3 in the bottom of the 8th and a 3-2 count on batter Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was off and running on the pitch. Wells laced a single down the first base line, and Chisholm sped around second, third, and slid into home plate head first, beating the throw by a hair to give the Yankees a 4-3 win over Boston, tying the wild card series at a game apiece.
Chisholm’s dash around the bases sets up a crucial game three finale Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the winner advancing to the ALDS, the loser heading home. Game time is 6:00 pm ET
In the other AL wild card, Cleveland evened the series with Detroit with a 6-1 win, scoring five runs in the 8th inning, capped off by Bo Naylor’s three-run homer. The game three finale is slated to start at 1:00 pm ET in Cleveland.
Mookie Betts went 4-for-5 with a single and three doubles, drove in three runs and scored once to lead the Dodgers past the Reds, 8-4, taking the wild card series, two games to none. The Dodgers advance to the NLDS and get a few days off before traveling to Philadelphia to open the best-of-five series with the Phillies on Saturday, October 4
San Diego evened the wild card series with the Cubs Wednesday, with a 3-0 win at Chicago’s Wrigley field. The winner of Thursday’s rubber match will advance to the NLDS and face Milwaukee starting Saturday. Dylan Cease threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings and a trio of Padres’ relievers blanked the Cubs the rest of the way on one hit. Manny Machado’s 5th-inning, two-run homer was the game’s big blow.
September 30, 2025 MLB Players of the Day / Playoff Recaps
Despite blowing a big mid-season lead in the AL Central and eventually qualifying for the post-season as a wild card, the Detroit Tigers proved they remain a dangerous outfit as they sent their ace, last season’s Cy Young award winner, Tarik Skubal to the mound for the opener of the best-of-three wild card series in Cleveland.
Skubal, who face the Guardians four other times this season, proved to be up to the task, as he allowed just three hits and one run over 7 2/3 innings in a 2-1 Tigers victory. Skubal walked three but struck out 14 Cleveland batters. The lone run scored by Cleveland came in the 4th inning on two infield singles sandwiching a walk. Skubal fielded a two-out bunt to end the threat.
From the 5th through 7th innings, Skubal didn’t allow a hit or walk and stuck out seven of the nine batters he faced. Skubal was relieved with two down in the 8th inning by Will Vest who ended the frame without incident. In the 9th, Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez reached on an error by Detroit shortstop Javier Baez, racing all the way to third with no outs. Ramirez was eventually cut down at the plate for the second out of the inning and Vest finished the job on an infield pop-up.
The win leaves Detroit one game away from advancing to the second round. Game two is Wednesday, 1:00 pm ET in Cleveland.
Game one in the other AL Wild Card went to the Boston Red Sox, downing the Yankees, 3-1 in New York. Garrett Crochet kept the Yanks under wraps on four hits over 7 2/3 innings, allowing just one run in a 3-1 Boston triumph.
Yankee starter, Max Fried, kept the Sox scoreless through 6 1/3 innings when he was lifter for Luke Weaver, who allowed two hits and a walk without retiring a batter. Pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida drove in two runs in the decisive 7th inning. Yankee manager Aaron Boone was heavily criticized for pulling Fried and pitching to Alex Bregman in the 9th with first base open. Bregman delivered an insurance run with a clutch double.
The Yankees loaded the bases against closer Aroldis Chapman in the 9th, but failed to score. Game two is Wednesday at 6:00 pm ET at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani (left) and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez each belted two homers, leading to a 10-5 Dodger victory over the Reds in Game One of the NL Wild Card series Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Ohtani led off the Dodgers’ 1st inning with a solo shot and followed with a two-run blast in the 6th. Hernandez, who went 3-for-5, delivered a three-run homer in the 3rd and a solo shot in the 5th, driving in four runs.
The Reds, who backed into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season despite losing at Milwaukee, face an early exit with Game Two slated for 9:00 pm ET Wednesday.
The Cubs got a leg up on the Padres in Game One of the other NL wild card as Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back solo homers in the 5th inning in a
3-1 win over San Diego. Nico Hoerner drove in the other Cubs’ run with a sac fly in the 8th. Game Two is Wednesday, 3:00 pm ET in Chicago.
Toronto Blue Jays 6 Los Angeles Dodgers 2
LA Dodgers 6 Toronto Blue Jays 5, 18 innings
Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed a complete game, 4-hitter, as the Dodgers took Game Two, 5-1, evening the 2025 World Series at a game apiece.
Toronto Blue Jays 11 Los Angeles Dodgers 4
American League
American League
American League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
National League
American League
American League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
American League
National League
|
|||
| search engine by freefind |
Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 9 College Picks
Week 8 Results: Rick: 9-6; Flip: 7-8
Saturday, October 25
UCLA at 2 Indiana (-25.5, 55) 12:00 pm (FOX) - UCLA has played better lately, but they are still suspect at 3-4. The Hoosiers, in addition to being one of just six undefeated teams left in the college ranks, is also the 4th-highest scoring team in the country (43.9, tied with Texas Tech).
This team has employed the portal to build a national champion contender and probably won’t be derailed here.
Coin Flip: Indiana
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hoosiers 44 Bruins 13
Georgia Tech is probably better than any of the teams that topped the Orange, so the line posted may not be an underestimate.
Coin Flip: Syracuse
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Yellow Jackets 42 Orange 21
While Oklahoma had an easy time dispatching South Carolina last week, the Rebels were embroiled in a war vs. Georgia, in a hard-fought 43-35 loss, as their offense essentially got shut down late in the game. That’s not likely to happen again, but it also does not ensure an Ole Miss victory.
Coin Flip: Oklahoma
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sooners 30 Rebels 27
6-1 Virginia is playing at a high level, and this could be a walkover for them, though the coaches need to keep the players from falling into complacency. It is still a road game and hostile territory. Could be Carolina’s week to cover and maybe pull off a shocker.
Coin Flip: North Carolina
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cavaliers 27 Tar Heels 23
South Florida, along with their upsets of Florida and Boise State, are 3-0 in American conference play, absolutely crushing their opponents. Memphis might be capable of staying close, but the Bulls look like the class of the conference, scoring 41.7 points per outing, 7th-best nationally.
Coin Flip: South Florida
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bulls 38
South Carolina has just one conference win - 35-13 over Kentucky - and last week were dumped by Oklahoma, 26-7. This could get ugly.
Coin Flip: South Carolina
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Crimson Tide 42 Gamecocks 10
A slight edge goes to Vandy for being at home, but also because Missouri just barely escaped Auburn, winning 23-17 in double OT ;last week and are on the road again.
Coin Flip: Vanderbilt
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commodores 26 Tigers 20
The Cyclones are coming off a pair of losses - both on the road - to Cincinnati, 38-30, and Colorado, 24-17 and hopes to rebound at home. A loss ends hopes for the Big 12 title shot and the post-season playoffs.
Coin Flip: Iowa State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cyclones 24 Cougars 23
The Illini were last seen losing to Ohio State, 34-16, but they’ve had an extra week to recover and prepare. Both teams are 5-2 with outside shots at making the playoffs. Pretty big deal.
Coin Flip: Washington
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Fighting Illini 31 Huskies 24
The Bearcats are 4-0 in conference play, but have had close calls against Kansas (37-34) and Iowa State (38-30). Baylor may turn the Big 12 into a free-for-all.
Coin Flip: Baylor
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 31 Bearcats 28
The Bulldogs have yet to win a conference game, though they came close in a 23-21 loss at Florida last week. They may be just good enough to upend Texas.
Coin Flip: Mississippi State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bulldogs 18 Longhorns 13
Last week’s 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt proved that the Tigers cannot win road games against serious opponents (0-2 this season), and this game will prove that they don’t have a running game and their defense is suspect.
Coin Flip: LSU
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Aggies 30 Tigers 17
This looks like a mismatch, though home field could keep it marginally close. Michigan State will be lucky to score a TD.
Coin Flip: Michigan
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Wolverines 30 Spartans 10
Since that is not likely to happen, with the Vols under maybe a little less pressure than playing the Tide usually offers, they might just roll up on the Wildcats, winners of just one SEC game last season and none this year, though the 16-13 OT loss to Texas last week was encouraging.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Volunteers 34 Wildcats 14
Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 8 College Picks
Week 7 Results: Rick: 5-10-1; Flip: 7-8-1
Friday, October 17
Louisville at 2 Miami (-10.5, 52) 7:00 pm (ESPN) - Miami has been awesome all season, and is ranked #2, deservedly so with a record of 5-0.
Louisville will give them a game here, coming off a narrow, 30-27, loss to #24 Virginia.
Coin Flip: Louisville
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hurricanes 31 Cardinals 23
Meanwhile, the Gophers (4-2) plot the demise of wannabe Cornhusker nation.
Coin Flip: Nebraska
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Golden Gophers 27 Cornhuskers 22
10 LSU at 17 Vanderbilt (-1.5, 48.5) 12:00 pm (ABC) - Road wins are hard to come by in the SEC or anywhere in college FB. LSU comes in off of minor triumph at home over South Carolina, 20-10.
Vandy earned a week off after surrendering late at Alabama in 30-14 loss. The 5-1 Commodores are much more balanced than the Tigers, with a better offense.
Coin Flip: LSU
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commodores 30 Tigers 23
The Yellow Jackets put their 6-0 overall record on the line against a serious foe. A pretty even game, but Georgia Tech appears a tad better.
Coin Flip: Duke
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Yellow Jackets 35 Blue Devils 31
The Huskies are improving while Michigan is stuck in neutral.
Coin Flip: Washington
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Huskies 27 Wolverines 14
The Gamecocks are having trouble scoring and Oklahoma’s defense gives up just 10 points per game on average. It won’t be easy, but if the Sooners play field position football and don’t make mistakes, they should prevail.
Coin Flip: South Carolina
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sooners 20 Gamecocks 13
Losers of their last four, all by double digits, the Badgers are really up against it against the #1 team in the country. If they score at all, it may be only field goals. Iowa shut them out last week, 37-0.
Coin Flip: Wisconsin
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buckeyes 42 Badgers 6
Even though winning on the road in the SEC - or anywhere in college football - is tough, the Aggies have a national championship contender and should win going away.
Coin Flip: Arkansas
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Aggies 38 Razorbacks 17
Coin Flip: Georgia
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bulldogs 34 Rebels 20
SMU’s out-of-conference losses to Baylor and TCU were not bad and they have adequate defensive skills to keep the Tigers in check while the offense produces multiple scoring opportunities.
Coin Flip: Clemson
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Mustangs 27 Tigers 20
Arizona State cannot ride the coattails of last year’s conference championship. While they are a solid team, they’re no match for the Aggies offense, which is averaging 47.5 points per game.
Coin Flip: Arizona State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Red Raiders 38 Sun Devils 23
The Wildcats will be hard-pressed to produce scoring drives and turnovers could turn this into a rout. Kentucky is 0-3 in the SEC, their last two losses, both on the road, were 35-13 at South Carolina and 35-14 at Georgia.
Coin Flip: Texas
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Longhorns 31 Wildcats 13
Alabama has turned the corner and the Vols defense will have to step up big time. Close call goes to the Tide.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Crimson Tide 24 Volunteers 20
The 5-1 Trojans stuffed Michigan last week, 31-13, and, at 5-1, appear on the cusp of consideration for the post-season. A win over the Irish - or even a close loss - cements their reputation in a big way. Huge rivalry game. Look for USC to keep it close and possibly pull off the upset.
Coin Flip: USC
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Fighting Irish 34 Trojans 27
Utes have gotten hot lately and should win a close call.
Coin Flip: BYU
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Utes 30 Cougars 16
Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 7 College Picks
Week 6 Results: Rick: 4-6; Flip: 6-4
Friday, October 10
24 South Florida (-1, 67.5) at North Texas 7:30 pm (ESPN2) - This American Conference meeting figures to be a whale of a game. The North Texas Mean Green are 5-0, with a 1-0 mark in conference play winning at Army, 45-38, in OT, September 20. Their high-powered offense is averaging 44.8 points per game.
The 4-1 Bulls of South Florida boast wins over Boise State and Florida, their record marred by a 49-12 loss at Miami, which is excusable. They can also light it up, having won their last two games, 63-14 over South Carolina State and 54-26 against Charlotte. Last team holding the ball should get the win.
Coin Flip: North Texas
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Mean Green 41 Bulls 35
3-2 Rutgers has dropped two straight Big Ten games, 38-28 to Iowa, and, last week, 31-28 at Minnesota, 9/27. With extra time to prepare, they cannot be counted out here and may register the upset.
Coin Flip: Rutgers
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Scarlet Knights 31 Huskies 27
8 Alabama (-3, 52) at 14 Missouri 12:00 pm (ABC) - Alabama is looking pretty solid after back-to-back wins at Georgia (24-21) and last week over Vanderbilt, 30-14, taking control in the fourth quarter in a tough contest. Winning at Missouri may be a bit tougher, though the Tide beat Mizzou, 34-0, last season.
The Tigers are 5-0 and ranked, but their biggest wins haven’t been much to boast about, whipping Kansas, 42-31, and South Carolina, 29-20, both at home. Alabama may be more than they can handle.
Coin Flip: Missouri
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Crimson Tide 34 Tigers 17
The Ohio State defense is probably the best in the country. No team has scored more than nine points against them, and they’ve allowed only two touchdowns, one in their 14-7 win over Texas and another in a 37-9 rout of Ohio. The offense came to life last week against Minnesota, putting a 42-3 beating on the Golden Gophers. A tight, low-scoring affair appears to be in the offing.
Coin Flip: Ohio State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buckeyes 27 Fighting Illini 17
The Panthers, despite their 3-2 record, aren’t just going to roll over. The two losses were 31-24 at West Virginia and 34-27 to Louisville. Last seen, they were tearing up Boston College, 48-7. They’re an angry bunch who will be chasing FSU Qb Tommy Castellanos all over the field. If Florida State does manage a win, it’s not likely to be by much. The ACC is wide open.
Coin Flip: Pittsburgh
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seminoles 31 Panthers 27
The Hoosiers may have a championship quality team, the best in decades. Winning last week at Iowa, 20-15, shows they don’t have to put up big numbers to achieve their goals. No team has scored more than 15 against Indiana, so, unless there are a lot of defensive miscues, this looks like a prime game to stay UNDER. Even though they’re on the road, the 5-0 Hoosiers don’t rate as the usual 7-point underdog and may very well win this going away.
Coin Flip: Oregon
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hoosiers 28 Ducks 17
Iowa State is 5-1. Colorado is 2-4, and 0-3 in the conference. The Buffaloes aren’t sneaking up on anybody this season.
Coin Flip: Colorado
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cyclones 31 Buffaloes 14
Though Texas is listed as the home team, the game is actually being played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, a neutral location with a Texas lean. How the Longhorns are 1 1/2-point favorites is anybody’s guess. Arch Manning has thus far proven to be nowhere near as good as his uncles Peyton and Eli. Oklahoma should rock them.
Coin Flip: Oklahoma
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sooners 31 Longhorns 17
Arkansas has dropped three straight, including the embarrasing 56-13 loss to the Irish. Tennessee’s only loss was a 44-41 setback in OT to Georgia. They should roll over the Razorbacks and post a big number.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Volunteers 45 Razorbacks 17
A&M’s backfield of QB Marcel Reed and RB Le’Veon Moss are second to none and will give Florida defenders all they can handle. The Aggies big win was 41-40 at Notre Dame and they’ve since beat Auburn, 16-10, and Mississippi State, 31-9. They are national championship contenders.
Coin Flip: Florida
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Aggies 35 Gators 21
Georgia comes off a loss to Alabama and last week’s easy, 35-14 win over Kentucky. The Tigers and their fans will be pumped up for this one.
Coin Flip: Georgia
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Tigers 23 Bulldogs 21
Kansas may be the best team the Red Raiders have faced. Their 4-2 record includes big wins over Fresno State, West Virginia and UCF, and the two losses were to Missouri and Cincinnati, but they’ll be hard pressed to find the end zone and keep pace with Tech in this one. Turnovers may be costly.
Coin Flip: Texas Tech
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Red Raiders 38 Jayhawks 13
Michigan remains one of the more enigmatic teams in the Top 25. Last week they had a hard time sustaining drives against Wisconsin in a 24-10 win. Before that, they barely won at Nebraska, 30-27. Should USC get any kind of lead in this game, the Wolverines don’t have the kind of offense that can score points late in games. If USC’s offense clicks, it could be lights out.
Coin Flip: USC
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Trojans 34 Wolverines 20
They’re likely to get it. Despite losses to Vanderbilt (31-7) and at Missouri (29-20), the Gamecocks put a complete game together in their 35-13 win over Kentucky. 4-1 LSU suffered their first loss of the season at Ole Miss, 24-19, two weeks ago. Both teams had last week off. Don’t be surprised if this one goes down to the wire.
Coin Flip: South Carolina
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Gamecocks 24 Tigers 22
Arizona is 4-1, and while they may not be an elite team, they’re good enough. Their only defeat was a 39-14 drubbing at Iowa State, but they are 1-1 in the conference and a win here puts them level with BYU. Home filed advantage, anybody? Might go OT.
Coin Flip: BYU
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Wildcats 24 Cougars 21
Coin Flip: Arizona State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sun Devils 28 Utes 21
Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 6 College Picks
Week 5 Results: Rick: 3-10; Flip: 8-5
Friday, October 3
New Mexico at San Jose State (-2.5, 58.5) 10:00 pm (FS1) - Interesting match-up in the wide open Mountain West, where the Lobos have gotten off to a 3-1 start to their season, losing at Michigan in their opener, 34-17, but then racking up three convincing wins, notably hammering UCLA, 35-10, on the road.
San Jose State is 1-3 to open their conference schedule, yet the Spartans are slight favorites. Two of their three losses were by two points (Central Michigan, 16-14) and one point (at Stanford, 30-29). The other was at Texas, 38-7. Their only win was vs. Idaho, 31-28. Their record doesn’t inspire much confidence. Neither does the short spread.
Coin Flip: New Mexico
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Lobos 34 Spartans 26
This one could get ugly if the Aztecs find early success on offense.
Coin Flip: San Diego State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Aztecs 31 Rams 14
14 Iowa State at Cincinnati (-1.5, 55.5) 12:00 pm (ESPN2) - How good are the Bearcats that the oddsmakers put them up as slight favorites against 5-0 Iowa State and QB Rocco Becht.
Well, they’ve won three straight since losing their opener, 2017, to Nebraska, last week topping Kansas, 37-34. The Cyclones already have two conference wins, beating Kansas State, 24-21, in the season opener, and Arizona, 39-14, last week. They also gutted out a 16-13 win over arch-rival Iowa a few weeks ago, so they appear to be lining up an appearance in the post-season tournament and shouldn’t be sold short.
Coin Flip: Cincinnati
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cyclones 27 Bearcats 24
Michigan may not be a top 10 team this season, but the rebuilding is coming along well. They have two quality wins to their season, 34-17 over New Mexico, and last week’s 30-27 win at Nebraska. Their 24-13 defeat at Oklahoma, their only loss, wasn’t that bad, considering the Sooners’ offensive prowess.
Coin Flip: Michigan
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Wolverines 35 Badgers 10
Notre Dame got off to a wobbly, 0-2 start with losses at Miami (27-24) and Texas A&M (41-40), but have two straight wins to show: 56-30 over Purdue, and last week’s 56-13 romp at Arkansas. The line is large because with two losses the Irish know they have to impress, and Boise’s defense may provide fertile ground for their improving offense. Notre Dame’s defense needs to show up in order for them to cover, and that’s still a question mark.
Coin Flip: Notre Dame
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Fighting Irish 38 Broncos 27
The Gators, after their 55-0 tune-up against Long Island U., ran into a tough schedule, losing three straight, to South Florida, LSU, and Miami, though they’ve shown improvement on both sides of the ball, so this isn’t going to be a walk in the park for Texas. The defense isn’t going to allow anything easy and QB DJ Lagway has shown more discipline over the past two weeks. Winning on the road, especially in the SEC, is hard.
Coin Flip: Texas
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Gators 24 Longhorns 20
Vandy is, in fact, 5-0, and that 44-20 win at Virginia Tech and 31-7 slaughter at South Carolina proves they can play anyone, anywhere. Putting up Alabama as a 10+ point favorite is a mistake in the making against a Vanderbilt squad that’s as good as any. Remember, Vandy rolled the Tide back, 40-35, last season.
Coin Flip: Alabama
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commodores 33 Crimson Tide 31
Texas Tech may have something to say about Houston’s emergence. The Red Raiders are also 4-0, beat Oregon State to a 45-14 pulp and pounded Utah two weeks ago, 34-10. Houston may not be among the top teams in the conference, but covering the spread may be an issue on the road for the Red Raiders.
Coin Flip: Houston
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Red Raiders 28 Cougars 24
Maintaining offensive drives may be an issue for both teams, but the Hurricanes should have the better of it. Florida State’s defense couldn’t get off the field against Virginia, so if Carson Beck brings his “A” game, Miami should remain undefeated.
Coin Flip: Florida State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hurricanes 30 Seminoles 20
The Bulldogs are coming off a disheartening, 41-34, home loss to Tennessee, and they may be a little flat following that big effort. It was, however, their first loss of the season. Last year, the Bulldogs were 0-8 in SEC play, one of those losses a 34-24 setback to the Aggies. At 4-0, A&M may be en route to an incredible season with an explosive offense, and they may be catching Miss. St. at an opportune time.
Coin Flip: Texas A&M
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Aggies 42 Bulldogs 17
Your ad could be in the next issue of idleguy.com for as little as $6 per month. Contact Fearless Rick using the form on page 12 for more information.
Use Coupon Code SUMMER20 for 20% off all orders at the HOT SUMMERTIME SALE of vintage magazines, going on now!
Cumulative Results: Rick: 42-55-3; Flip: 52-45-3
Syracuse at 7 Georgia Tech (-17.5, 52.5) 12:00 pm (ESPN) - Syracuse has gotten crushed three straight times in the ACC (Duke, 38-3; SMU, 31-18; Pitt, 30-13) after whipping Clemson, 34-21.
8 Ole Miss at 13 Oklahoma (-4.5, 54.5) 12:00 pm (ABC) - Obviously, this is a game which either team can win, depending on turnovers and mental miscues.
16 Virginia (-10, 51.5) at North Carolina 12:00 pm (ACCN) - Another gut check for the Tar Heels and coach Belichick, who are 0-2 in the ACC, though they came close against 5-2 Cal in a 21-18 loss.
18 South Florida (-4, 63) at Memphis 12:00 pm (ESPN2) - Both teams are 6-1, though Memphis’ loss was in conference, 31-24, last week to UAB.
4 Alabama at South Carolina (-12.5, 47.5) 3:30 pm (ABC) - One certainly gets the feeling that the Crimson Tide are going to seriously contend for a national championship, and this game is yet another building block along the way. Alabama has won four straight games against ranked opponents: Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee.
15 Missouri at 10 Vanderbilt (-2.5, 52) 3:30 pm (ESPN) - Both teams are viable considerations for the post-season playoffs in what figures to be a very tight, even match-up of SEC rivals.
11 BYU at Iowa State (-2.5, 50) 3:30 pm (FOX) - BYU remained undefeated by winning the “Holy War” against Utah last week, 24-21, and faces a tough road trip to Iowa State.
23 Illinois at Washington (-4.5, 54.5) 3:30 pm (BTN) - For some reason, the oddsmakers like the Huskies, despite the fact that they got run over at Michigan last week, 24-7.
Baylor at 21 Cincinnati (-3, 67) 4:00 pm (ESPN2) - Like a bad penny, Baylor is just good enough to beat anybody or bad enough to lose to any Big 12 team, which explains why the line is so short against 6-1 Cincinnati.
22 Texas (-6.5, 45) at Mississippi State 4:15 pm (SECN) - Just when everybody thought Arch Manning and the Longhorns had turned a corner, they go to Kentucky and have to go to OT to beat the Wildcats, 16-13. Note that the winning score was a field goal and the overall score was very low. The Longhorns offense leaves much to be desired, their miscues rectified by one of the best defensive units in the country.
3 Texas A&M (-3, 48.5) at 20 LSU 7:30 pm (ABC) - Following last weeks 45-42 win at Arkansas, the Aggies are 7-0 and rolling towards the post-season tournament, while LSU, at 5-2, is looking somewhat iffy.
25 Michigan (-14, 47.5) at Michigan State 7:30 pm (NBC) - As far as this being an in-state rivalry game, the fact of the matter is that the Wolverines are roaring after topping Washington last week, 24-7, while the Spartans are 0-4 in Big Ten play, the last two losses by 25 points, to UCLA and Indiana.
17 Tennessee (-7.5, 55) at Kentucky 7:45 pm (SECN) - If the Volunteers make as many mistakes as they did in last week’s embarrassing 37-20 loss at Alabama, they could lose to a good high school team.
Cumulative Results: Rick: 33-49-3; Flip: 45-37-3
25 Nebraska (-7.5, 46.5) at Minnesota 8:00 pm (FOX) - Pure sucker bet. Nebraska (5-1) on the road giving more than a TD while QB Dylan Raola emulates Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes and HC Matt Rhule pines to be head coach at Penn State. These are disturbed people.
Saturday, October 18
12 Georgia Tech at Duke (-2.5, 61.5) 12:00 pm (ESPN) - Two of the top contenders in the ACC face off, both 3-0 in conference play.
Washington at Michigan (-6.5, 50) 12:00 pm (FOX) - Say Buh-bye to the Wolverines and their one-paced offense. USC humbled them last week, 31-13. Washington, from out of the blue, is 5-1, their only loss a 24-6 setback vs. Ohio State. Hammered Rutgers last week, 38-19.
14 Oklahoma (-5.5, 43.5) at South Carolina 12:45 pm (SECN) - The Sooners got schooled by Texas last week and look to rebound on the road, a tall order. South Carolina is having a horrible season, 1-3 in conference and just 3-3 overall.
1 Ohio State (-25.5, 40.5) at Wisconsin 3:30 pm (CBS) - The Buckeyes rolled past Illinois last week, 34-16, and should have few problems against the Badgers, who are 0-3 in Big Ten games.
4 Texas A&M (-7, 61) at Arkansas 3:30 pm (ESPN) - Razorbacks showed signs of life at Tennessee last week in a narrow loss, but the Aggies are a different animal altogether.
5 Ole Miss at 9 Georgia (-7, 54) 3:30 pm (ABC) - Georgia flexing its muscles in the SEC. Mississippi will prove to be vulnerable to Georgia’s relentless defense.
SMU at Clemson (-9.5, 56) 3:30 pm (ACCN) - Interesting game in the ACC for two teams looking to improve. Clemson’s season is on the brink at 3-3, while SMU still is hopeful, with a 2-0 record in ACC play.
7 Texas Tech (-10, 51.5) at Arizona State 4:00 pm (FOX) - Texas Tech appears to be the class of the Big 12. In three conference wins, they’ve outscored the opposition 111-38.
21 Texas (-12.5, 43) at Kentucky 7:00 pm (ESPN) - The Longhorns have risen from the dead, awakening last week to take out rival Oklahoma, 23-6. While questions still swirl about Arch Manning, there are no concerns about the Texas defense.
11 Tennessee at 6 Alabama (-7, 58) 7:30 pm (ABC) - Game of the day in the SEC, where Tennessee needs to prove itself at a place it seldom comes away from a winner.
20 USC at 13 Notre Dame (-9.5, 61.5) 7:30 pm (NBC) - The question here is whether USC can stand up against one of the best rushing offenses in the country. Notre Dame, once they get rolling, can be unstoppable and their defense is more than adequate.
23 Utah (-3, 49.5) at 15 BYU 8:00 pm (FOX) - Big matchup in the Big 12, with BYU putting its undefeated 6-0 record on the line.
Cumulative Results: Rick: 28-39-2; Flip: 38-29-2
Rutgers at Washington (-10, 59.5) 9:00 pm (FS1) - Both teams can score from anywhere on the field and are in the top 20 nationally. Rutgers averages 39 points per game; Washington, 39.4. The Huskies only loss was two weeks ago, a 24-6 setback to Ohio State. Last week, they evened their Big Ten record at 1-1 with a 24-20 win at Maryland.
Saturday, October 11
1 Ohio State (-14.5, 49.5) at 17 Illinois 12:00 pm (FOX) - After being drubbed, 63-10, at Indiana, the Illini have come back with two straight conference wins: 34-32 over USC and 43-27 last week at Purdue. Their offense will be put to the test against the #1 Buckeyes, but wideout Hank Beatty (32 rec., 569 yards) will be a tough match-up.
Pittsburgh at 25 Florida State (-10.5, 57.5) 12:00 pm (ESPN) - The Seminoles, after their stunning opening week defeat of Alabama, continue to plummet through the rankings, the latest blow to their reputation a home loss to Miami last Saturday, 28-22, and it wasn’t even that close. Florida State is now 0-2 in conference play, well behind 3-0 Virginia and Duke.
7 Indiana at 3 Oregon (-7, 55) 3:30 pm (CBS) - On September 27, the Ducks won at Penn State, 30-24, in double overtime, but after the Nittany Lions were upended by UCLA last week, one has to wonder about the quality of that win. Otherwise, Oregon has dominated in a creampuff schedule. This will be their first big test against a true quality opponent.
22 Iowa State (-3, 52) at Colorado 3:30 pm (ESPN) - Coach Prime is expected to be on the sideline for the Buffaloes after a surgical procedure this week, and they’ll need all his guidance against the Cyclones, who, despite last week’s 38-30 setback at Cincinnati, are still in the hunt for the Big 12 title.
6 Oklahoma at Texas (-1.5, 42.5) 3:30 pm (ABC) - This may be one of the more enjoyable games for Oklahoma fans in a long time. The Sooners head into the Red River Shootout at 5-0 and ranked #6, while the Longhorns have dropped out of the Top 25 after last week’s 29-21 loss at Florida and a 3-2 record.
Arkansas at 12 Tennessee (-12.5, 68) 4:15 pm (SECN) - Considering how poorly the Razorbacks were at tackling Notre Dame’s offensive players last week, the Vols must be licking their chops awaiting kickoff at home for this one.
Florida at 5 Texas A&M (-7.5, 46) 7:00 pm (ESPN) - Wow. This one is going to be awesome. Even though the Gators are 2-3, their losses were to Soth Florida, LSU and Miami, but last week’s 29-21 win over Texas puts them back in the SEC mix, though the Aggies are loaded and unbeaten at 5-0.
10 Georgia (-3.5, 46.5) at Auburn 7:30 pm (ABC) - The oldest rivalry in the southeast figures to be another SEC barn-burner, especially since Auburn is at home and in dire need of a victory. At 3-2, the Tigers losses were to Oklahoma (24-17) and Texas A&M (16-10), two high-quality squads.
Kansas at 9 Texas Tech (-14, 59.5) 7:30 pm (FOX) - Scoring at a rate of 48.6 points per game, Texas Tech is second to Tennessee (51.0) nationally and no team has come closer than 24 points to beating them, and that includes a 34-10 win at Utah and last week’s 35-11 win at Houston, so the Jayhawks had better be on their best behavior. The Red Raiders can beat them with stout defense and opportunistic offense.
15 Michigan at USC (-2.5, 57.5) 7:30 pm (NBC) - Don’t be surprised that USC is unranked yet favored over #15 Michigan. The Trojans suffered their first loss of the season two weeks ago at Illinois, 34-32, and hosting the Wolverines might just be the right team to face at this juncture.
South Carolina at 11 LSU (-8.5, 44.5) 7:45 pm (SECN) - Both of these teams have struggled offensively, but this game may deliver some of the hardest hits of the weekend. Gamecock returnees are likely to be seeking revenge for last season’s 36-33 loss to the Tigers which many considered stolen and may have cost them a trip to the playoffs.
18 BYU (-1.5, 48) at Arizona 8:00 pm (FOX) - Completely unnoticed, the Cougars have run up a 5-0 record are atop the Big 12 and ranked. Maybe nobody noticed because of who they beat, the likes of Stanford, East Carolina, Colorado, and West Virginia, not exactly a murderer’s row.
21 Arizona State at Utah (-5.5, 48.5) 10:15 pm (ESPN) - If you want to end your Saturday on a winning note, take Arizona State to cover against the Utes. The Sun Devil’s only loss was 24-20 at Mississippi State in early September and they’re coming off back-to-back 27-24 win over Baylor and TCU. Even if they lose, it won’t be by much. Sam Leavitt is one of the best QBs in college football. He’s thrown for 1,039 yards and 8 TDs, seven of them going to Jordyn Tyson. AZ State is a tough-minded team that should give Utah a whale of a game.
Cumulative Results: Rick: 24-33-2; Flip: 32-25-2
Colorado State at San Diego State (-6.5, 41.5) 10:30 pm (CBSN) - The Rams are off to a poor, 1-3 start, the only win against a so-so squad from Northern Colorado. On the flip side, the Aztecs appear to be loaded for bear, off to a 3-1 start with shutouts over Stony Brook, 42-0, and Cal, 34-0. Last week’s 6-3 win at Northern Illinois speaks again to the strength of their defense.
Saturday, October 4
Wisconsin at 20 Michigan (-17.5, 43) 12:00 pm (FOX) - The 2-2 Badgers are averaging 20 points per game which doesn’t bode well against the Wolverines, especially with Michigan hosting. The Baders are coming off two straight losses, 38-14 at Alabama, and last seen losing to Maryland, 27-10. Thye have a very tough schedule ahead, with Iowa, Ohio State, and Oregon directly following this game. They could go 0-for-October.
Boise State at 21 Notre Dame (-20.5, 62.5) 3:30 pm (NBC) - Boise State’s 34-7 season opening loss at South Florida was a wakeup call, and the Broncos have responded with three straight wins, though the level of opposition doesn’t quite reach the elite level. Their 49-37 win over Air Force indicates that the offense has found its footing, and should have some surprises for the Irish.
Texas (-5.5, 42.5) at Florida 3:30 pm (ESPN) - At long last, Arch Manning and the 3-1 Longhorns play an SEC game and whatever they’ve learned in their three wins over some very soft foes (San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston) is going to tell if they’ve improved from that poor showing in the 14-7 opening weekend loss at Ohio State. There are many still unconvinced, including the people who set the odds here.
16 Vanderbilt at 10 Alabama (-10.5, 55.5) 3:30 pm (ABC) - The Crimson Tide didn’t exactly roll over Georgia last week, but their 24-21 win was essential to their continued success. This week may be more difficult, even though they are playing at home because the Commodores cause everybody fits.
11 Texas Tech (-12.5, 51.5) at Houston 7:00 pm (ESPN) - It’s hard to say how good the Cougars are, now that they’re in their third full season as a member of the Big 12, but they are 4-0. Their last two games - 36-20 over Colorado, and, 27-24 OT at Oregon State - may be an indication that they’re improved with Texas A&M transfer Connor Weigman running the offense. In the conference, they were 2-7 in 2023, and 3-6 last season, so this could be a breakout season for them
3 Miami (-4, 54.5) at 18 Florida State 7:30 pm (ABC) - This being a huge rivalry game dating back decades, the line is short since the Seminoles - coming off a troubling, 46-38 2OT loss at Virginia - are at home and because Miami didn’t really didn’t get their offense going against Florida until the 4th quarter two weeks ago.
Mississippi State at 6 Texas A&M (-15.5, 56) 7:30 pm (SECN) - This SEC contest may be all about emotion. After their 41-40 win over Notre Dame, the Aggies weren’t quite the same, though they did manage to defeat Auburn, 16-10. Credit the Auburn defense for keeping that one close.