MLB Playoffs: ALCS, NLCS Friday live updates, analysis

A team is one win out of the World Series. Another is a turnaround win in the championship series.

In the opening game, the Los Angeles Dodgers lead 3-1 in the NLCS and can secure their ticket to the Fall Classic with a win over the New York Mets. If the Cleveland Guardians can follow up their instant, classic win over the New York Yankees last night in the late game with another win tonight, they will tie the ALCS at two points.

Whatever happens, we've got everything covered, from live updates and analysis during games to insights after the final pitch and next steps for each team.

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Live updates

Today's encounters

* All times Eastern

Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets, 5:08 p.m

Dodgers lead the series 3-1

Pitching Matchup: Jack Flaherty (13-7, 3.17 ERA) vs. David Peterson (10-3, 2.90 ERA)

Starting lineups:

Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani (left) DH
Mookie Betts (R) RF
Teoscar Hernandez (R) LF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Tommy Edman (S) SS
Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Will Smith (R) C
Andy Pages (R) CF

Mets

Francisco Lindor (S) SS
Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
Mark Vientos (R) 3B
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Jesse Winker (L) DH
Starling Marte (R) RF
Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
Francisco Alvarez (R) C

New York Yankees at Cleveland Guardians, 8:08 p.m

The Yankees lead the series 2-1

Pitching matchup: Luis Gil (15-7, 3.50 ERA) vs. Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86 ERA)

Starting lineups:

Yankees

Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
Juan Soto (left) RF
Aaron Judge (R) CF
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 3B
Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
Anthony Volpe (R) SS
Austin Wells (left) C
Alex Verdugo (L) LF

Guardian

Steven Kwan (L) LF
Kyle Manzardo (left) DH
Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Lane Thomas (R) CF
Daniel Schneemann (L) RF
Andres Gimenez (L) 2B
Austin Hedges (R) C
Brayan Rocchio (S) SS