Blake Treinen, a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers, emphasizes the importance of getting ahead of batters as a key to his success. Despite a challenging recovery from shoulder surgery, Treinen has showcased remarkable performance in the postseason, contributing to the Dodgers' playoff run.

His recent dominance includes a string of scoreless outings and a significant role in the bullpen's performance against the San Diego Padres. Manager Dave Roberts praises Treinen's impact on the team's dynamics and confidence.

The Kansas City Royals finished the 2024 season with an 86-76 record, securing the second wild card in the American League. They swept the Orioles but fell to the Yankees in the ALDS.

While the pitching staff showed promise, the offense struggled, particularly in the postseason, with key players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino underperforming.

Despite these challenges, the Royals made significant progress, marking their first winning season since 2015 and showcasing the talent of Witt, who emerged as a superstar.

Looking ahead, the team must address weaknesses in the outfield and bullpen while considering free-agent acquisitions to bolster their roster for a competitive 2025 season.

The ALDS matchup between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals is tied as they head into Game 3. Analyst Harold Reynolds expressed skepticism about the Yankees' chances, highlighting Aaron Judge's struggles against the Royals' effective pitching.

The Yankees have struggled offensively, hitting poorly with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, the Royals' supporting players have outperformed their stars, raising concerns for New York as they face another tough pitcher in Seth Lugo.

In a crucial AL Division Series game, Jon Berti showcased impressive skills at first base, stepping in for the injured Anthony Rizzo during the New York Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Berti executed a clean double play and made a remarkable backhand catch, earning praise from manager Aaron Boone.

Despite limited experience at first, Berti's athleticism shone through as he adapted quickly, contributing both defensively and offensively. Clarke Schmidt is set to start Game 3 for the Yankees as they aim to regain momentum in the series.

In a thrilling AL Division Series opener, the New York Yankees edged the Kansas City Royals 6-5, marked by five lead changes. Alex Verdugo's tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and a crucial sliding catch helped secure the win. Gleyber Torres and MJ Melendez each contributed two-run homers in a game where both teams struggled with pitching and defense.

Yankees' manager Aaron Boone praised the team's resilience, while Royals' manager Matt Quatraro voiced frustration over a controversial call. The series continues with Game 2 on Monday night.