The Royals defeat the Astros, 7 – 2, in Game 5 of the other Division Series. Johnny Cueto retires 19 straight batters after giving up a two-run homer to Luis Valbuena in the 2nd, while the Royals take advantage of three-run innings in the 5th and 8th to win the game.

In a game that includes the benches clearing twice, the Blue Jays advance to the ALCS, defeating the Rangers, 6-3, in the decisive game 5. Toronto overcomes a one-run deficit, thanks to three straight errors by Texas to start the bottom of the seventh inning, followed by a three-run homer hit Jose Bautista, who irks the opponents with an exaggerated bat flip while admiring his third-deck shot at the Rogers Centre.

Clayton Kershaw ends a five-game postseason losing streak when the Dodgers defeat the Mets, 3 – 1, in Game 4 of the other NLDS. Justin Turner hits a two-run double against his former team for the key blow.

For the first time in their history, the Cubs clinch a postseason series in Wrigley Field when they defeat the Cardinals, 6 – 4, in Game 4 of the NLDS. The Cardinals take an early lead on a two-run homer by Stephen Piscotty in the 1st, but the Cubs reply with a four-run 2nd, highlighted by a three-run shot by Javier Baez. After the Cardinals tie the score in the 6th, solo homers by Anthony Rizzo in the 6th and Kyle Schwarber in the 7th, both off Kevin Siegrist, send Chicago to the NLCS.

The Cubs homer six times en route to an 8-6 victory over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field in the Game 3 of the NLDS. Chicago’s sextet of round-trippers, that included long balls from Kris Bryant, Starlin Castro, Dexter Fowler, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, and Jorge Soler, marks first time in postseason history that one team has recorded that many home runs in one game.

The Blue Jays attack starter Derek Holland of the Rangers early and often to win Game 4 of the other ALDS, 8 – 4. Josh Donaldson hits a two-run homer before Holland can record an out and Chris Colabello adds a solo shot in the 1st, before Kevin Pillar goes deep in the 2nd; Toronto then adds three more runs in the 3rd. Jays manager John Gibbons raises eyebrows when he removes veteran R.A. Dickey with a 7-1 lead and two outs in the 5th, to bring in ace starter David Price, who goes three innings, making him unavailable for the decisive fifth game.

The Mets trounce the Dodgers, 13 – 3, to take a two games to one lead in the NLDS. Curtis Granderson hits a bases-clearing double in the 2nd and Yoenis Cespedes hits a three-run homer in the 4th as the Mets take an early 10 – 3 lead and never look back.

On the brink of elimination, the Royals, score 5 runs in the top of the 8th to erase a 6 – 2 deficit and go on to beat the Astros, 9 – 6, to force a fifth game in the Division Series. The big inning results from a series of singles and walks, and one error. Houston wastes great performances by two youngsters, P Lance McCullers who strikes out 7 and gives up only 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings, and SS Carlos Correa who reaches base five times, hits a pair of homers and a double, and drives in 4 runs.

Facing elimination in the ALDS, the Blue Jays win, 5 – 1, over the Rangers, as they get a ton of baserunners against Martin Perez. Four double plays by Texas keep the game close for a while, but a three-run homer by Troy Tulowitzki against Chi Chi Gonzalez in the 6th proves too much to overcome. Marco Estrada is the winner.

The Astros ride a strong performance by ace Dallas Keuchel to defeat the Royals, 4 – 2, at Minute Maid Park in Game 3 of the ALDS. Both Royals runs come via solo homers, by Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, while a two-run single by Jason Castro in the 5th is the key blow for the Astros, who also get a homer from Chris Carter.