2013 MLB postseason running thread

I guess today's game can either be Game 163 of the regular-season thread, but after that it's the nitty-gritty.

And any day now MLB and the networks can get their act together and announce game times. Can't imagine the outcome of the wild-card games would have a dramatic effect either way, they already know which are the marquee teams and big markets that they can build the schedule around. But maybe this is only a consideration in the LTL household where we are hoping not to have to pull the kids out of school Friday for the A's opener. (But we'll do it if we have to. We're gamers.)

--Biggest question I see is the Dodgers' lineup. Kemp's comeback is a no-go and he is out. Ethier is very questionable. Suddenly the team that had one too many outfielders has one too few.

--Will Nelson Cruz jump back into Rangers' lineup? Will he help? Will it matter, or will they complete the death spiral tonight?

--The A's have no idea when or if Yoenis Cespedes, their #2 home run guy, will play. He has started one game in the last two weeks and had to leave that one early.

 

Star-Telegram was reporting that Cruz will be on the roster and may start at DH. Depends, in part, on who'll catch ... if it's Soto, Pierzynski would probably be the DH. I'm siding with those who say Cruz playing can't hurt. I was intrigued by his quotes re: the instructional league work he was getting in. Said his timing was OK re: fastballs but that he hadn't seen any major-league breaking stuff. Wondering if he's playing possum.

 

Dodgers-Pirates in the NLCS

Red Sox-A's in the ALCS

Red Sox v. Pirates in World Series

Pirates in 7.

 

Think this could finally be the year the A's break through. Seems like they get a big break in first round as they won't be facing the real Miguel Cabrera (whose status, I now realize after my initial post, is probably the biggest question of the postseason).

Red Sox-A's

Braves-Cardinals

A's vs. Cardinals in World Series, A's win in six games and celebrate in the sewage

 

Man, PNC Park would be such a great place for a World Series.

 

I'd love to see the NBA and NHL copy the play-in game setup. It's just a wonderful way to kick-start the postseason.

 

The last day of last season (or was it 2011) was magical (remember Rays and Cards winning on final day to get in?) Well getting a bonus game this year prior to the wild card round is nearly as fun.

I don't mind the one game finality, hey at least you got a shot at the playoffs right?

 

Cardinals-Dodgers
Red Sox-A's

Cardinals-A's

Cards in 6.

 

Game times and TV schedule starting to trickle out (all times Eastern):

Reds/Pirates at Cardinals
Game 1, 5:07 p.m. Thursday, TBS
Game 2, 1:07 p.m. Friday, MLB

Dodgers at Braves
Game 1, 8:37 p.m. Thursday, TBS
Game 2, 6:07 p.m. Friday, TBS

Rays/Indians/Rangers at Red Sox
Game 1, 3:07 p.m. Friday, TBS
Game 2, 5:37 p.m. Saturday, TBS

Tigers at Athletics
Game 1, 9:37 p.m. Friday, TBS
Game 2, 9:07 p.m. Saturday, TBS

 

Doesn't the late start for the A's on Saturday mean the Raiders game has to be played at some ungodly hour, like 11:30 p.m. EST?

 

So the NFL is going up against its 49ers game on NBC with a Raiders game on NFL Network?

Players' families won't even watch the Raiders.

EDIT: Oh wait. You said 8:30 p.m. PDT. Are you serious? That's actually a kind of cool doubleheader.