All Division Series, All Day: Postseason Gameday Thread #3

First to recap yesterday...

The A's and Jarrod Parker took on the Tigers and Justin Verlander. Verlander gave up a leadoff home run to Coco Crisp, but then he remembered that he's Justin Verlander and doesn't take crap from anybody. His pitch count was high, but he went seven innings and gave up only two hits the rest of the way, striking out 11. Parker was good too, just not that good. He allowed three runs, on a double-play, his own error, and a solo home run. He was relieved in the 7th inning by Pat Neshek, who came in under the most difficult of circumstances and got a groundout and a strikeout. His is truly the most heartbreaking story in baseball. Jose Valverde came in for the save, and the A's dropped the opener to the Tigers 3-1. #GJN

The Giants and Reds squared off in Phone Company Park in the evening. Initially, it was ace Matt Cain vs ace Johnny Cueto, but while facing the second batter of the game, Cueto had to be removed with back spasms. A reliever bridged the way to Game #3 starter Mat Latos, who pitched four middle innings and allowed only a solo home run to Buster Posey. Cain allowed a two-run homer to Brandon Phillips in the 3rd and a Jay Bruce homer in the 4th. The Reds took that 3-1 lead into the 9th, where they added on on a wild Santiago Casilla to make it 5-1 . The Giants then attempted a comeback on an even wilder Aroldis Chapman. Chapman loaded the bases on a single and two walks and a runner scored on a wild pitch, but Chapman got two (genuine) infield fly outs and a strikeout of Posey to preserve the 5-2 win for the Reds.

On to today.......

ALDS: Game 2, A's @ Tigers, 9:00am on MLBN [Tigers lead 1-0]

NLDS: Game 1, Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals, 12:00pm on TBS

ALDS: Game 1, New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles, 3:00pm on TBS

NLDS: Game 2, Reds @ Giants, 6:30pm on TBS [Reds lead 1-0]