MLB Playoffs: Day 15 - ALCS 5 (4 PM) & NLCS 4 (7:50 PM)

It's an elimination game for the Yankees!!! C.J. vs. C.C.

They send Big CC on regular rest to try to right the ship, and to their credit their pitching is decent enough to get back into this series. CC, Hughes, and Pettitte, but so far all three have been out-pitched.

The Rangers send out C.J. "Cliff Lee, Jr." Wilson, who had little to do with the Ranger collapse, venturing into 8th inning, getting into some trouble and couldn't be bailed out by his bullpen.

Let's not forget the Yankees have been outscored in this series 22-5, and the only reason why they weren't swept was one bad inning by the Texas bullpen.

I'm not doing any celebrating until the final out is recorded. 2004 and 2007 reminded me of that, as did last May. Different sport, but similar idea of momentum and confidence: The Boston Bruins were leading the Philadelphia Flyers three games to none in the 2nd round of the playoffs, only to see the Flyers storm back and win the series.

...but I've got a good feeling about this evening. The action begins at 4:00 PM.

***

Game 4 of the NLCS is tonight and I have absolutely loved this series. The baseball has been entertaining, the pitching fantastic, and there's been a lot of respect on both sides and a lot of good characters. How about Cody Ross, eh? He's been RAKING in October. He's batting .348 this postseason with 4 dongs (3 in the NLCS) and a 1.336 OPS in the playoffs (1.990 in NLCS).

Cole Hamels was asked after the game what he does when a hitter is "hitting differently" (aka RAKING). Hamels said, "Hit him! Nah, I'm just kidding."

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said, "Matt Cain was too good. He didn't give us any runs!"

It'll be Joe Blanton for the Phillies and Madison Bumgarner tonight. Blanton didn't pitch in the LDS so he's had a ton of rest. Bumgarner pitched Game 4 of the LDS against Atlanta (6-6-2(2)-2-8).

Like in the first three games of the series, Game 4 is one giant toss-up. I don't think this series ends in 5 games.

First pitch at an incredibly accurate 7:57 PM ET.

Tuesday, Oct. 18: Phillies @ Giants (day), Rangers @ MFY (night)

The Giants (Matt Cain starting) have gotten to Cole Hamels -- it's 2-0 after four.

Saturday October 16 - Championship Serieses

4pm - MFY/TEX

Last night, Texas made a bid at outdueling Boston's bullpen for shittiest in the AL. This afternoon, it's Phil Hughes vs. Colby Lewis in Arlington.

7:30pm - SF/PHI

The first game will likely still be going on when this one gets underway, but MLB is stupid that way. This one's on FOX and I'll be drunk at the biggest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, but I'm sure I'll come home to a high scoring affair, as Tim Lincecum takes on Roy Halladay in this wickedly sweet pitching battle. Two great pitchers that aren't complete fist-pumping knob donglers like Joba.

(Just had to throw in a JtC dig there)

***

Unrelated but possible threading material, the Bruins are back in North America and taking on the cap-sensitive Devils in New Jersey at 7pm. Tim Thomas getting the start for the Bs.

And a whole bunch of other NHL games.

MFY visit Texas Shithouse

ALDS5: Fuckin' Rangers @ Fuckin' Rays

Blown call at 1B to bring in the 3rd Texas run courtesy of Wheelz Guerrero and more, inside.

***

RAYS LOSE!

MFY in TEX, Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 4. Total BS.

Giants in Philly, Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 8. Buck/McMoron.

MLB Playoffs - Giants at Braves

MLB Playoffs - Day 5

We won't have to see the Yankees play for a few days.

Tampa Bay survived against Texas yesterday. Both will go with a fourth starter instead of pitching aces on short rest; that's Tommy Hunter (TEX) in Tampa versus Wade Davis at 1:07 EST.

In the infinitely more interesting National League, San Francisco will venture into the park of the best home team in the MLB this year. The Braves went 56-25 there, and have reserved ace Tim Hudson (2.83 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .229 BA, 228.2 IP in 2010) for Game 3. The Giants counter with young loudmouth Jonanthan Sanchez (3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, .204 BA, 193.1 IP), who started the division-clinching game last Sunday under the pressure of having predicted his team would do so. 4:37 EST.

Philadelphia will try to finish off the Reds (Hamels vs. Cueto) at 8:07 EST.

There is also football.