The 2022 MLB playoffs have arrived with an expanded field of six Wild Card teams playing a three-game series to determine who moves on to the Division Series in each league. There’s also exciting NFL action as Week 5 continues. Here’s what to expect in some of the key matchups.

Mariners Face Blue Jays In Game One

The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays match up for the first of their best-of-three series in the AL Wild Card playoffs. This is the first time these two teams will face each other in the postseason since they both entered the league in 1977. The Mariners finished second in the AL West with a 90-72 record behind the Houston Astros and closed the regular season by winning seven of their last nine games. 

The Blue Jays had a 92-70 record in the regular season and were second in the AL East behind the New York Yankees. Toronto has a lineup of heavy hitters that can match up against any pitching staff but have struggled at times on the mound. This is the eighth time these teams will face off this season, with the Mariners leading the season series 5-2. 

Luis Castillo (8-6, 2.99 ERA) starts in Game 1 for Seattle against Blue Jays ace Alek Manoah (16-7, 2.24 ERA).

Toronto wins Game 1 to take the series lead. 

Padres Take On Mets In NL Wild Card

The San Diego Padres travel to Citi Field to face the New York Mets in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card series. The Padres were a distant second to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, finishing with an 89-73 record. However, they won the season series over the Mets 4-2 and have a legitimate MVP candidate in Manny Machado leading their lineup. They must win this game tonight if they hope to have a chance in this series. 

The Mets finished the regular season with a 101-61 record, identical to the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, but their rivals won the season series over the Mets to take the division title. New York finished the season with a sweep of the Washington Nationals after being dominated by Atlanta last week and has some momentum going into tonight’s game. They’ve also won four straight at home. 

Yu Darvish (16-8, 3.10 ERA) of the Padres will face Max Scherzer (11-5, 2.29 ERA), the most experienced playoff pitcher in this series. 

The Mets take Game 1 in a pitcher’s duel.

Eagles Hope To Stay Undefeated In Arizona

The Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals face off in an NFL matchup this Sunday. The Eagles are the lone undefeated team in the NFL as they head to State Farm Stadium in Glendale. They overcame a 14-point deficit last week against Jacksonville to win 29-21 on their home field. Philly also leads the NFL with 16 sacks and is giving up just 17.8 points per game coming into this matchup. 

Arizona has won three of the last four matchups against the Eagles, including a 35-26 victory the last time they played here. The Cardinals are also desperate to get their first home win of the season after their defense held the Carolina Panthers to 220 total yards and three turnovers in last week’s 26-16 victory. However, they struggled on offense but put everything together in the second half to come away with the win. 

Arizona gets the upset for their first win at home.