Because of my rooting interests (don't want to jinx) and the sheer difficulty of picking a one-game playoff, I'm only going to preview the games.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves
Starters: Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.86 ERA) vs Kris Medlen (10-1, 1.57)
The Braves have won 23 straight games Medlen has started, a major-league record, and they hope that streak doesn't end at the most inopportune of times. Lohse is enjoying a career year at 34, but his numbers in last year's playoffs were pretty awful (0-2, 7.82 ERA in 3 starts).
Lineups
Braves
CF Michael Bourn
LF Martin Prado
RF Jason Heyward
3B Chipper Jones
1B Freddie Freeman
C David Ross
2b Dan Uggla
SS Andrelton Simmons
Cardinals
CF Jon Jay
RF Carlos Beltran
LF Matt Holliday
1B Allen Craig
C Yadier Molina
3B David Freese
2B Daniel Descalso
SS Pete Kozma
Notice that I don't list Braves C Brian McCann, whose wrecked shoulder has severely limited his production this season. Fredi Gonzalez has made the right call by starting Ross, despite the lefty-on-righty matchup he would have had with McCann. But Brian is basically swinging with one wing right now. Chipper has had an impressive swan song season, so look for him to do his best to extend it a little longer.
The Cards didn't miss a beat after losing Pujols in the offseason and Lance Berkman mid-season, their lineup anchored by Beltran and Craig. Molina has had an outstanding year on offense (.315/22 HR/76 RBI), that combined with his league best defensive skills, has put him squarely in the middle of the of the MVP Race.
Bullpen/Bench
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel had a all-time season, striking out a higher percentage of batters per innings pitched in baseball history (min. 50 innings pitched). Professional hitters like Reed Johnson, Lyle Overbay, and Eric Hinske may be called upon in a crucial spot late in the game.
Jason Motte anchors the Cards' pen, and he's reliable with upper 90's heat. They only have two lefties in the pen, which could come into play against a lefty-heavy Braves lineup.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers
Starters: Joe Saunders (9-13, 4.07) vs Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90)
Johnson is a crafty veteran lefty who the Orioles picked up from the Diamondbacks in August. He's responded with a 3.63 ERA in his seven starts with the team. Darvish, will get his first Major League playoff start, so it's interesting to see how he'll respond under the pressure. However, he's 10-3 against teams facing him for the first time, which the Orioles will be on Friday night.
Lineups
Orioles
LF Nate McLouth
SS J.J Hardy
RF Chris Davis
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
DH Jim Thome
1B Mark Reynolds
2B Ryan Flaherty
3B Manny Machado
Rangers
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
CF Josh Hamiltion
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
DH Michael Young
LF David Murphy
C Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland
First off let me say, I can't believe that POS Nate McLouth is hitting leadoff in a playoff game after the two abysmal, money-stealing seasons in Atlanta. Regardless, the O's lineup has a good amount of power, 214 HRs the regular season, good for second in the league. They are outgunned though by a powerful Rangers lineup that lead the league in runs scored. Look for Hamilton and Beltre to come up big in the 3-4 spots.
Bullpens
The O's are lead by saves leader Jim Johnson, a sinkerballer who doesn't get a lot of K's, but still gets the job done. They have good depth too, with side-armer Darren O'Day, Luis Ayala, and Pedro Strop.
Joe Nathan, fully recovered from Tommy John, is back to the form that made him an elite closer with the Twins. Alexi Ogando is capable of pitching multiple innings effectively, and ex-Oriole Koji Uehara has been light's out in the setup role, with 43 K's and 3 walks this season.
The winners of these two one-game playoffs will go on to host the first 2 games of the best-of-5 Division Series. Tonight's games should have some awesome and heart-pounding action, so crack some open and enjoy.
-Kellen
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