With the Wild Card Series behind us, here are three things well be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend: 1. Reds under new management: The Reds managerial search came to a shocking end last night when it was that three-time Manager of the Year and two-time World Series champion Terry Francona is being hired to replace in the dugout. The Reds have not yet announced Titos hiring, but are expected to do so as soon as today. In a year that hasnt seen much upheaval in the leagues dugouts to this point, Cincinnatis surprise hiring of Francona takes perhaps the most attractive managerial gig available off the market though both the White Sox and Marlins have yet to name a manager for 2025 and it remains at least theoretically po sible that one or more of the teams currently in the playoffs could make a change in the dugout following the postseason, Malik Beasley Jersey though no club is an obvious candidate to do so. 2. NLDS starts this weekend: Theres no playoff baseball scheduled for today as the remaining Wild Card teams rest up and prepare for their upcoming division series matchups. In the NL, theres plenty of roster-related intrigue that figures to be settled this weekend before two pairs of division rivals clash. The Dodgers and Padres have already announced their starters for the first two games of the series, with (3.00 ERA in 18 starts) set to face (3.47 ERA) in Game 1 before (3.17 ERA) faces (3.31 ERA in 16 starts) the next day. Of note, Dodgers shortstop told reporters (including ) that the left-adductor strain that left him sidelined for the final games of the Dodgers regular season is still bothering him with minimal progre s. Rojas indicated that he intends to play through the i sue, although stands as a capable replacement at shortstop if nece sary. Meanwhile, the Mets and Phillies prepare to play this weekend with only one starter announced between the two teams: Philadelphia ace (2.57 ERA) is set to take the ball for Game 1. Neither team has made any sort of indications regarding who their Game 2 starters may be, and the Mets also havent announced who theyll send to the mound opposite Wheeler. Even so, theres at least some roster-related intrigue in this series as well: the Mets are the addition of right-hander to their NLDS roster. Senga has spent most of 2024 on the IL after a breakout 2023 season, and while he wont be available as a starter this series it is po sible that the club could lean on him for short relief, bolstering a bullpen that has seen closer used heavily in recent days. 3. ALDS starts this weekend: Along with the NLDS, the ALDS will also begin this weekend. Unlikely its National League counterpart, however, the American League will only see the first game of its series take place this weekend before a day off on Sunday. This years Division Series is flooded with AL Central teams, as the division champion Guardians will take on the Tigers after Detroit knocked the Astros out last round, ending their long streak of ALCS appearances. The Tigers havent announced a starter for tomorrows game, though whoever they choose will face Guardians righty (3.47 ERA). Meanwhile, the Royals managed to sweep the Orioles out of the Wild Card series and prevent a fourth intradivision LDS matchup. In Baltimores stead, Kansas City will now face the Yankees in the Bronx with veteran right-hander (3.35 ERA) scheduled to face ace righty (3.41 ERA) in tomorrows game. Juancho Hernangomez Jersey