The 2013 MLB Playoff Picture is complex and could sway any way in the next couple of days. There are only six teams remaining from last week's 10. Who are they? Check out all the possible matchups as the League Championship Series are just days away from going day, but they need opponents first.
N.L. Playoff Picture
NLDS- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
****Update**** Thursday, 11:45 a.m.--- The Cardinals advance to the 2013 N.L. Championship
After a dominant performance by Adam Wainwright, pitching nine strong innings, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-1, advancing the the NLCS.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in. They did it quickly, clinching in four games, though they played tough games. Their offense appears to be extremely tough with six starters hitting over .300 and four with on-base perecentages higher than .400.
Hanley Ramirez led the way, hitting .500 as six of his eight hits were extra-base hits. He scored four runs, smacked a home run and drove in six while posting a .556 OBP. Playing against the Braves in his first ever playoffs suited Ramirez well as he had faced them plenty of times as a Marlin.
Yasiel Puig's tale continued to grow as the rookie hit .471 in his first playoff series, followed by the clutch Juan Uribe, who hit .375 and smacked the game-winning bomb in Game 4. Carl Crawford, yes, Crawford! The outfielder led the Dodgers with three home runs and finished second with five RBI, though he struck out five times, tying him with Mark Ellis for first in the division series.
The Dodgers wait for the Pittsburgh Pirates or St. Louis Cardinals to advance from their NLDS battle. It's been a fairly even battle through the first four games. In fact, these two teams have neck and neck all season long. The Pirates lead the season series, including four playoff games, 12-11. During the regular season, the Pirates won the series 10-9, outscoring the Cardinals 87-85. Through four games, the Pirates and Cardinals have each scored 15 runs in this series.
This Game 5 will be a must-watch as the Dodgers wait for their opponent and the series will finally come to a close.
A.L. Playoff Picture
ALDS- Boston Red Sox vs. Tigers or Athletics
While the Pirates and Cardinals provide a pivotal N.L. Central clash in the NLDS, the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics are playoff foes. For the second straight year, these two hook up for a memorable Game 5.
The Tigers and A's have gone back and forth in their games, similar to the Pirates and Cardinals. The Tigers won Game 1 by a run. Then the A's responded with a walk-off in Game, winning by the score of 1-0. Game 3 saw the Tigers take a three-run lead only to see it disappear as the A's recovered and eventually never looked back. The Tigers then returned the favor in Game 4. After falling behind 0-3, Jhonny Peralta provided the spark, tying the game. The A's took the lead, but the Tigers roared back to win the game, tying the series 2-2.
The Red Sox are in after taking advantage of Tampa Bay Rays miscues late in the game. It was a pitchers duel, but it was not Jake Peavy vs. Jeremy Hellickson, it was Peavy vs. the Rays' Bullpen. Joe Maddon stuck to his game plan, though bringing in all available nine relievers was not truly in the works. Hellickson hiccuped in the top of the second, loading up the bases with no outs and Maddon had seen enough.
The Rays had the lead, but they just could not hold on and the Red Sox took full advantage. They won 3-1 and are now awaiting for a winner to surface out of the Tigers and A's.
