October baseball, I just love being able to type those two words. Every pitch matters, and every at-bat is critical. Today kicks off both of the NL Divisional Series, while the AL got a head start yesterday. I’ll be checking in periodically with the MLB Postseason as we get closer to the World Series.

So lets take a quick look at the slate today, which could prove to be an awesome day of playoff baseball. As I’m writing this, Toronto just finished off Texas in Game 2 of its Divisional Series, opening up a 2-0 lead going back to Toronto for a potential sweep of the Rangers on Sunday. Here is what the rest of the day looks like.

Boston vs. Cleveland (Cleveland leads 1-0) – Game 2: 4:30 PM (TBS)

The Indians got a big win last night over the Red Sox to open up this series, but could have come at a cost for today. Terry Francona went to his bullpen early last night, and may have exhausted his two best relievers for Game 2. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen pitched a combined four innings and threw 80 pitches last night. The pitching matchup is fantastic between David Price and Corey Kluber. Price is susceptible to getting shelled in playoff games, so I would be cautious if I were Boston. The Red Sox will have to get its offense going early, and try to chase Kluber out of the ball game to get to a potentially short-handed Cleveland bullpen. Another thing that may work in Boston’s favor today, there is no way this lineup is combining for twelve strikeouts again.

Los Angeles vs. Washington – Game 1: 5:30 PM (Fox Sports 1)

In my opinion, it won’t get much better than this pitching matchup. Clayton Kershaw going up against Max Scherzer has the potential to be a duel for the ages. These are two of the best pitchers in the entire MLB and hopefully they both deliver. I say that because the one place where Kershaw has struggled in his career is in the postseason. LA desperately needs Kershaw to shake off the postseason funk because Scherzer has been dominant this season, notching a career best in strikeouts as well as winning 20 games. Out of all four playoff series, I think this is the most important Game 1 we will see.

San Francisco vs. Chicago – Game 1: 9:00 PM (Fox Sports 1)

This has all the makings to be an amazing series. Chicago’s World Series drought is well documented while San Francisco is back in the postseason in an even year. The Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014, so history is certainly on their side here. Don’t count out the Cubs though; this is the best team in baseball with the best manager in the game in Joe Maddon. Game 1 will see a great pitching matchup between Johnny Cueto and Jon Lester. This has the potential to be the epitome of October baseball.

 

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