What happened: Messick opened with four strikeouts through two innings and kept missing bats into the early middle frames. A 97 mph pitch helped him work out of one jam as the strikeout total climbed.

Why it matters: Swing-and-miss stuff travels in October, especially when one starter can shorten a game before the bullpen takes over. Another sharp outing adds to the case laid out in Messick's late-season awards push after his run through September.

What to watch: Watch whether he can sustain the strikeout pace deep enough to His pitch count will decide how much late leverage gets handed to the bullpen.