College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

The NLCS kicked off last night as the Philadelphia Phillies used the long ball en route to a 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tonight it’s the American League’s turn to get things going. Barring any type of weather postponement the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels kick off game one of their series tonight in the Bronx. At first glance this looks like a classic example of David versus Goliath. New York had the best record (103-59) in the AL. The Yanks hit the most home runs (244) in the regular season and continue to do so in the playoffs. They have the three hard throwing pitchers that there going to rely on and they have arguably the best closer in the history of the game. On yeah they’re yearly payroll is close to 208 million dollars. The Angles had the second best record (97-56) in the AL and are arguably the best small ball team in baseball. They’re great at stealing bases, moving runners over and getting the timely hits with runners in scoring position. They have crafty pitchers, who can strike batters out with a little heat or use some of the off-speed junk to get hitters missing. During the regular season they played against other ten times and each team won five games (NY 3-1 vs LA @ home, LA 4-2 vs NY @ home). Tonight New York starts CC Sabathia. Sabathia dominated the Minnesota Twins in game one of the ALDS, going six and two thirds, striking out eight and giving up only one earned run. Los Angeles counters with John Lackey. Lackey was just as dominant in his first start against the Boston Red Sox. Lackey went seven and third, gave up four hits without giving up an earned run. Weather may be a factor tonight and if that’s the case Sabathia has the edge. Not only is he used to pitching in New Yankee Stadium, but he was once a Cleveland Indian and used to the frigid temperature.

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

In the MLB playoffs the focus tonight will be on the American League, as the teams from the NL get the night off. The New York Yankees resume their series with the Minnesota Twins in the Bronx. Game one featured all of New York’s strengths. There was a dominant pitching performance from CC Sabathia and the offence hit a couple of long balls en route to a 7-2 win over the Twins. The Yanks hope game two is no different so win they go into Minnesota with a 2-0 series lead. Tonight AJ Burnett (13-9) makes his first postseason start. In fact this is Burnett first ever playoff action. Jose Molina gets the call behind the plate. When Molina is catching opposing hitters have a .221 average against Burnett. With starter Jorge Posada they’re batting .270. Also Molina has caught each of Burnett’s last six starts. Nick Blackburn (11-11) gets the call for the Twins.

In the late game the Boston Red Sox are looking to bounce back from a 5-0 game one lose to the Los Angeles Angels. LA starter John Lackey was a loser the last two years in the ALDS against the Sox, but last night he went seven strong striking out four and only giving up four hits. Torii Hunter contributed the key offensive play blasting a three run bomb off Boston starter John Lester. Red Sox hope their ace and playoff vet, Josh Beckett (17-6) can get them back in the series tonight. LA counters with Jered Weaver (16-8).

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

If last night is any indication of what to expect out of this season’s playoffs we are in for one hell of a ride. The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers needed more time in the season to determine the winner of the AL Central division. They also needed extra innings, 12 to be exact, as the Twins won the game and the division. So the final spot in the playoffs is filled and things are all set for today’s first round action.

The day kicks off with a National League battle as the wild card winning Colorado Rockies open up on the road against the defending World Series Champs, the Philadelphia Phillies. Bad news coming out of the Mile High State. Team ace Jorge De La Rosa (16-7) will not be available for their series against the Phillies. He’s dealing with a groin injury. Also Jason Marquis (15-3) will not get a start in any of the first three games, but will be in the bullpen if needed. Marquis could off to a great start in the season, but has struggled in the last three weeks.  The other Rox pitchers will have to pick up the slack as they’ll be in tough against the big bats of Philadelphia. First baseman Ryan Howard put up some MVP likes numbers this year hitting 45 home runs and driving in 141 runs. He’s joined by Chase Utley (31/93), Jason Werth (36/99) and off season acquisition Raul Ibanez (34/93). Oh yeah the Phillies have some pretty decent pitchers, starting with last season World Series MVP Cole Hammels. Add to that the reigning AL Cy Young Winner Cliff Lee and veteran Pedro Martinez.  Lee (14-13) gets the call for game one and Colorado counters with Ubaldo Jiminez (15-12).

Next up the New York Yankees welcome the Minnesota ‘We’re Running On Fumes’ Twins to the Bronx for game one of their series. The Yanks are by far the most explosive team in the postseason. They led the league in home runs (244), RBIs (881) and tied the L A Angels for most hits. The only kink in the Yanks armour could be there pitching. CC Sabathia (19-8) started slowly, but ended strong and has to be a strong consideration for the AL Cy Young. The same can’t be said for the rest of the staff. Coming into the end of the season AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and Sergio Mitre struggled. The Twins have not had a lot of success in the Bronx this season. They have yet to win at New Yankee Stadium. Minnesota comes into this one riding some crazy momentum and they’ll need it to compete. The Twins send Brian Duensing (5-2) to the mound and Sabathia goes for the Yankees.

The final game has the St Louis Cardinals making the trip to the Golden State to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since acquiring Matt Holliday from the Oakland A’s the Cards have been the hottest team in the National League. In 63 games Holliday hits 13 home runs and drove in 55. What Holliday has done most is provide a legitimate big bat behind Albert Pujols and Pujols has delivered. He leads the NL in long balls (47), drove in 135 and had a .327 batting average. The Cards is led by the NL comeback player of the year, Chris Carpenter. he finished the season 17-4 and had the lowest ERA (2.24) in the NL. LA game out of the gates on fire, built a huge lead in the NL West and rode it to playoffs. The Dodgers are hoping Manny Ramirez can bounce back to last seasons form or their postseason run may be cut short. Andre Either and Matt Kemp carried the load for LA in Man Rams absence combining for 57 homers and 207 RBIs. Randy Wolf (11-7) starts for the Dodgers and Carpenter throws for the Cards.

Here are the lineups for the shows at noon:

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

Do or die. Backs against the wall. Must win. This one is for all the marbles. However someone chooses to describe tonight’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins the message is simple – winner advances, loser goes home. A typical MLB season goes 162 games, but for the Tigers and Twins an extra game is needed to decided who wins the AL Central and secures the last playoff spot.  Minnesota has the slight advantage going into this one. In 18 meetings with their division rivals they have a 11-7 record, which also secures this home field for tonight. Detroit had a 35-46 record on the road, the worst out of all nine remaining teams. The Twins also have experience on their side. There have been eight (four AL and four NL) one-gamers needed to decide a postseason spot. The Twins played in one last season coming out on the wrong side of a 1-0 game with the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers have never played in one. Minnesota goes with starter Scott Baker (15-9). Detroit starts rookie Rick Porcello (14-9). So it all comes down to this -  one more game.

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

With only three games remaining for most teams in baseball it’s tough to ignore what’s happening in the AL Central. The Detroit Tigers still have a two game lead over the Minnesota Twins. So if the Tigers win and the Twins lose tonight the division title and final playoff spot would be claimed by Detroit. Both teams are at home. Detroit welcomes the Chicago White Sox, while Minnesota hosts the Kansas City Royals.

If baseball is not your thing you can always turn to hockey. The NHL season kicked off last night. Tonight the two teams that battled for the Stanley Cup last season are in action, just not against each other. The Detroit Red Wings are on the road tonight, a long way away from Detroit. They’re in Sweden to take on the St Louis Blues. Even though there are more Swedes on Detroit, St Louis is the home team. The Red Wings lost a little depth over the off season and hope that Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom have enough in the tank to lead the winged wheel back to a third straight final series. The defending champs, the Pittsburgh Penguins, open their season at home as they battle the New York Rangers. Pittsburgh lost some depth at the blue line, but with superstars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the team the Pens should be a lock for postseason play.

Here are the lineups for the shows at noon:

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

Two teams are in must win positions tonight and for one of them a win may not be enough. The Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves have battled valiantly for a chance at a playoff spot, but it may be all for not. The Twins dropped game three of their four game series last night with the Detroit Tigers. That puts Detroit three games up on Minnesota with four to play. If Detroit wins they claim the AL Central title and the remaining AL playoff spot. So the Twins need to win just to keep a float. Minnesota hopes tonight’s starter Scott Baker (14-9) can channel his inner John Travolta so the Twins season keeps ‘Staying Alive’. Detroit counters with Nate Robinson (2-2).

For the Braves they not only need to win tonight, but they also need a Colorado Rockies lose. Colorado has a four game lead over Atlanta in the NL wild card race with four to play. The Rockies play the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon, so Atlanta may be out of it before they even start their game with the Washington Nationals. Tommy Hanson (11-4) starts for the Braves. Garrett Mock (3-10) goes for the Nats.

TSM NOTE: Of course it’s also opening night in the NHL and our Toronto Maple Leafs take on the rival HABS. The time for talk is over. Let’s see how good Burke’s boys really are.

Here are the lineups for the shows at noon:

All Mats Sundin hall of fame talk!

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

Including today there are five days left in the 2008-09 Major League Baseball season and there are still four vying for two playoff spots. In the American League the New York Yankees locked up the East, the Angels took the West and not surprisingly the Boston Red Sox clinched the wild card. The only question mark is in the Central division where the Detroit Tigers hold a two game edge over the Minnesota Twins. With weather wreaking havoc on game one of their four game series, the Tigers and Twins played a double-header yesterday which they ended up splitting. So with two games left in their series the Tiger’s still hold a two game lead. Tonight Carl Pavano (13-11) goes for the Twins and Eddie Bonine (0-1) starts for the Tigers. Both teams end their season at home. Detroit plays three games against the Chicago White Sox while Minnesota battles the Kansas City Royals in a three gamer.

In the National League both the St Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers have punched their tickets into the playoffs. The Philadelphia Philles’ magic number is one to clinch the East. The Phillies have a five game lead over the Atlanta Braves. So it’s just a matter of time before their in. What is in doubt is the wild card. The Colorado Rockies went into last night holding a two game edge over the Braves. The Rox won. The Braves lost. The lead is now three. The Rockies play two more games against the Milwaukee Brewers and then finish up on the road battling the Dodgers. While the Braves play finish up their series with the Florida Marlins tonight and end their hosting four games against the Washington Nationals.

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

Yesterday’s game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers was rained out so to make things even more dramatic tonight they’ll play a double header. The Tigers have a two game lead over the Twins in the AL Central and a sweep of this evening’s games would mean they would clinch the division crown. If the Twins sweep they pull into a tie with the Tigers and things become even more interesting. Starting game one will be the two pitchers that were to go last night, Rick Porcello (14-9) for D-town and Nick Blackburn (11-11) for Minny. In game two the Tigers hand the ball to Justin Verlander (17-9). The Twins counter with Brain Duensing (5-1).

In the National League, the wild card race is heating up. The Colorado Rockies are still first in line for the postseason’s extra invitation, but the Atlanta Braves are only two games back and looking to bud in front. Last night the Braves blanked the Florida Marlins 4-0 in the first game of a three game series. The Rockies didn’t play so the Braves gained a half game on them. For game two tonight, Atlanta turns to veteran pitcher Tim Hudson (2-1). Florida goes with their ace Josh Johnson (15-5). Colorado is in action tonight. They play the first of three against the Milwaukee Brewers. Jason Marquis (15-12) starts for the Rox, while Chris Narveson (2-0) gets the call for the Brew Crew.

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

Even though there’s seven games left for most teams in major league baseball two teams start their playoffs tonight. The Detroit Tigers sit in the top spot of the AL Central with a slim two game lead over the Minnesota Twins. Tonight the two teams  are in Detroit where they’ll meet in the first of a four game set. Split the series and the Tigers still have a two game lead with three to play against the White Sox. If Detroit sweeps the series they claim the division crown. If the Twins sweep the series they would have a two game cushion with three to play against the Royals. Neither team comes into this series riding any type of momentum. Detroit got doubled up by the Chicago White Sox 8-4, while Minnesota got Greinke-d by the Kansas City Royals 4-1. Rick Porcello (14-9) gets the start for the Tigers. The Twins counter with Nick Blackburn (11-11).

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

If you’re paying attention to baseball’s standings you will notice that pretty much every division in the league is locked up. The New York Yankees were the first team to punch their postseason pass and for the St Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers it’s just a matter of time. Even the wild card race is pretty much done. The Boston Red Sox have a seven game lead over the Texas Rangers while the Colorado Rockies have opened up a five game lead over the San Francisco Giants. Well the same cannot be said about the Detroit Tigers. They’ve been atop the AL Central for pretty much the entire season, but with a dozen games left they only have a two and a half game lead over the Minnesota Twins. Their schedule doesn’t do them any favours either. Yes they still have two more games against the Cleveland Indians (nine straight loses and counting), but then the play a three game series in Chicago against the White Sox (who would love to spoil the party) and finish up at home against – yes you guessed it – the Twins. The only way to make the playoffs is to win of course and the Tigers did last night. Edwin Jackson pitched a strong game and Detroit edged Cleveland 3-1. Tonight rookie Rick Porcello (13-9) gets the call for the Tigers. Justin Masterson (4-8) goes for the Tribe.

Minnesota used the long ball last night to keep pace with the Tigers. The Twins hit four home runs en route to a 8-6 over the White Sox. Brian Duensing (4-1) toes the rubber for the Twins. Mark Buehrle (12-9) starts for the White Sox.