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Wild Card Games
National League
St. Louis (88-74) at Atlanta (94-68)
Friday, 3 p.m. (MDT)
Season series • Atlanta, 5-1
Sizing it up • Atlanta has won 23 games started by Kris Medlen, and the Braves will fight to make sure this isn't Chipper Jones' final game. Yet, St. Louis, which rode the wild card to a World Series victory in 2011, has solid pitching and understands what it takes to navigate through the playoffs.
X-Factor • Atlanta's offense. It has been inconsistent in 2012.
TV • TBS
American League
Baltimore (93-69) at Texas (93-69)
Friday, 6:30 p.m. (MDT)
Season series • Texas, 5-2.
Sizing it up • About a month ago, Texas might have been the easy pick. However, the Rangers' collapse during the final week, including a blowout sweep by Oakland for the A.L. West crown, places this one-game playoff into a new light. Also, the Orioles, making their first post-season appearance since 1997, are battle tested after their fight for the A.L. East title.
X-Factor • Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton. He needs a return to form.
TV • TBS
Division Series (Best-of-five)
American League
Oakland (94-68) vs. Detroit (88-74)
Saturday, time 4 p.m. (MDT).
Season series • Detroit, 4-3
Sizing it up • Detroit closed the season with a rush, though not with the same intensity as Oakland, which once trailed Texas by 13 games and five with nine to play. Although a No. 3 seed, the Tigers boast one of the toughest starting staffs in baseball, led by Justin Verlander. Oakland won a major league record 53 games by rookie pitchers.
X-Factor • Detroit's defense or Oakland's youthful pitchers. Either could collapse.
TV • All games will be shown on TBS.
N.Y. Yankees (95-67) vs. Baltimore or Texas
Sunday, time TBA.
Season series • vs. Texas, 4-3; vs. Baltimore 9-9.
Sizing it up • The Yankees begin their quest for title No. 28 with a powerful lineup featuring Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter. Yet, if there is a weakness for New York, it is the starting rotation. After CC Sabathia, there are question marks. In addition, closer Rafael Soriano doesn't strike the same fear in hitters as Mariano Rivera.
X-Factor • NY starting pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Phil Hughes.
TV • All games will be shown on TBS.
National League
Cincinnati vs. San Francisco
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (MDT)
Season Series • Cincinnati, 4-3
Sizing it up • San Francisco, sparked by Buster Posey's superb second half, finally found a potent offense this year. Matt Cain is a solid No. 1 starter, backed by Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong. Meanwhile, the Reds also have a strong lineup and pitching, led by Cy Young candidate Johnny Cueto.
X-Factor • Giants' Tim Lincecum. The two-time Cy Young winner was inconsistent in 2012.
TV • All games will be shown on TBS.
Washington vs. Atlanta or St. Louis
Sunday, time TBA
Season series • vs Atlanta, 10-8; vs. St. Louis 4-3.
Sizing it up • Young Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg received much of the attention in 2012. Yet, the Nationals compiled the best record in the National League with a starting staff, led by Cy Young candidate Gio Gonzalez, which had the second-best earned-run average in baseball. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche anchor a solid lineup.
X-Factor • Washington's bullpen. There have been several blown saves this season.
TV • All games will be shown on TBS.
According to MLB.com, TBS will air three of the four Division Series games on Sunday and up to three games on Oct. 10th. MLB Network will air one Division Series game on both of those dates.
Playoff schedule
All games will be broadcast by TBS. According to MLB.com, TBS will air three of the four Division Series games on Sunday and up to three games on Wednesday. MLB Network will air one Division Series game on both of those dates.
Wild Card Games
(All times MDT)
Friday, St. Louis at Atlanta (NL), 3 p.m.
Friday, Baltimore at Texas (AL), 6:30 p.m.
American League Division Series
Detroit vs. Oakland
Saturday, Oakland at Detroit, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oakland at Detroit, TBA
Tuesday, Detroit at Oakland, TBA
Wednesday, Detroit at Oakland (if necessary), TBA
Thursday, Detroit at Oakland (if necessary), TBA
Texas or Baltimore vs. N.Y. Yankees
Sunday, New York at ALWC, TBA
Monday, New York at ALWC, TBA
Wednesday, ALWC at New York, TBA
Thursday, ALWC at New York (if necessary), TBA
Oct. 12, ALWC at New York (if necessary), TBA
National League Division Series
San Francisco vs. Cincinnati
Saturday, Cincinnati at San Francisco, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday. Cincinnati at San Francisco, TBA
Tuesday, San Francisco at Cincinnati, TBA
Wednesday, San Francisco at Cincinnati (if necessary), TBA
Thursday. San Francisco at Cincinnati (if necessary), TBA
Atlanta or St. Louis vs. Washington
Sunday. Washington at NLWC, TBA
Monday, Washington at NLWC, TBA
Wednesday. NLWC at Washington, TBA
Thursday, NLWC at Washington (if necessary), TBA
Oct. 12, NLWC at Washington (if necessary), TBA