Patrick Bailey starts at catcher in postseason Game 5

He tied ALCS Game 1 at 2-2 after producing off the bench.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

"Bailey has been swinging the bat really well and I think overall his game has elevated over the course of the Postseaso Via @MLBNetwork on X

What happened: MLB Network analyst Alex Avila credited Patrick Bailey's improved swing and elevated all-around play throughout October for earning him the Game 5 start behind the plate.

Why it matters: Moving Bailey into the starting nine rewards an October stretch in which he recorded multiple RBI hits off the postseason bench and hit a pinch-hit solo home run. Generating offense from the catching spot lengthens the batting order in a pivotal postseason contest.

What to watch: Game 5 will test whether Bailey's postseason surge at the plate carries over across a full start behind the dish.

Sources

@MLBNetwork 2026-10-18T20:23:23.675140+00:00

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