The MLB postseason is in full swing and has been nothing short of exciting. Things started out Tuesday, Sept. 30 with The Kansas City Royals beating The Oakland Athletics, 9-8, in a thrilling 12-inning game to secure the American League Wild Card. Royals’ catcher Salvador Perez knocked a walk off single down the third base line to score the winning run. This was Kansas City’s first postseason win since 1985. The Royals’ Cinderella Story continued, as the brilliant pitching of starter James Shields, and magnificent defense of center fielder Lorenzo Cain allowed the team to sweep the Los Angeles Angels. The Royals advance to the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles Friday, Oct. 10. The Orioles’ path to the championship series was similar to that of the Royals, sweeping the Detroit Tigers in three games thanks to offensive outbursts in games one and two, winning 12-3 and 7-6, respectively. Solid pitching in game three by starter Bud Norris and relievers Andrew Miller and Zach Britton led to a 2-1 win for the Orioles.
In The National League, the San Francisco Giants comfortably beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0 behind a lights-out performance by starter Madison Bumgarner. The NL division series have been much different than the AL. The Giants held a 2-1 lead over the Washington Nationals going into last night’s West Coast game, after a Bumgarner error in game three cost San Fran the chance to sweep. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 Tuesday night to win their NLDS matchup, three games to one. The National League Championship Series begins Saturday, Oct. 11.