From 30 teams to 2, we have arrived at the end of the race. The National League Champion Phillies now take on the American League Champion Rays to determine the best team in the world*. Welcome to.... the World Series. (There's only one October. Only on FOX.)

* Of course, the "World Series" is only for MLB teams. The "World Baseball Classic" will be coming back this spring.

Away		Schedule/Result	Home
	Cole Hamels 3-0, 1.23	3-2 WP: C. Hamels LP: S. Kazmir S: B. Lidge		Scott Kazmir 1-0, 4.02
	Brett Myers 2-0, 5.25	2-4 WP: J. Shields LP: B. Meyers		James Shields 1-2, 3.72
	Matt Garza 2-1, 3.32	4-5 WP: J. Romero LP:J. Howell		Jamie Moyer 0-2, 13.50
	Andy Sonnanstine 2-0, 3.46	2-10 WP: J. Blanton LP: A. Sonnanstine		Joe Blanton 1-0, 3.27
	Scott Kazmir 1-1, 4.15	3-4 WP: J. Romero LP: J. Howell S: B. Lidge		Cole Hamels 4-0, 1.55

Congratulations to the 2008 World Series Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies. And congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays on an outstanding run that ended just shy of the ultimate goal. What a season! Now, how many days until Spring Training?

With half of the teams now out of the post-season and only the Championship Series to play until the World Series, my thoughts are to keep one thread open per series. Depending on the activity level, we will adjust how future gameday threads are opened and handled. We hope that, with increased interest in the Championship Series' results, that these threads will continue to draw knowledgeable and well-meaning baseball fans from all over. Note, however, that these open threads are not to be misconstrued as a place where visiting fans can gloat about their teams' successes; please take excessive celebratory remarks home.

Game 7: 10/19, 5:07pm AZT, TBS
Series Tied 3-3

Jon Lester LHP, 16-6, 3.21 1-1, 1.83

Matt Garza RHP, 11-9, 3.70 1-1, 4.50

I really cannot think of anything interesting to say tonight. Yesterday's game wasn't pretty for either team, though it was of course worse for Tampa Bay. Boston left 12 men on base, while Tampa Bay managed only 4 hits and and 2 walks all night. Both of their runs came on solo HRs. James Shields just couldn't control the game, and Josh Beckett returned to dominant form.

Tonight features a rematch of Game 3 starters, which the Rays won 9-1. The Rays scored 5 runs off of Lester and 4 more off of Byrd. Garza pitched well that game, allowing only 1 run. Tampa Bay had best be hoping for a repeat performance offensively and pitching-wise, or else their season is over. Boston has the momentum on their side now, and I think I heard last night they are 9-0 in elimination games in recent years.

Like I said, I really don't have anything creative to say tonight, heh. But there's good news already - the game is on the air!!

With half of the teams now out of the post-season and only the Championship Series to play until the World Series, my thoughts are to keep one thread open per series. Depending on the activity level, we will adjust how future gameday threads are opened and handled. We hope that, with increased interest in the Championship Series' results, that these threads will continue to draw knowledgeable and well-meaning baseball fans from all over. Note, however, that these open threads are not to be misconstrued as a place where visiting fans can gloat about their teams' successes; please take excessive celebratory remarks home.

Game 5: 10/15, 5:22pm AZT, FOX
Phillies Lead 3-1

Cole Hamels LHP, 14-10, 3.09 2-0, 1.20 ERA

Chad Billingsley RHP, 16-10, 3.14 1-1, 8.00 ERA

Well, what can be said about this one? Certainly I should be able to think of something better than Chad Billingsley, who said: “It’s pretty much do or die.” Really? Pretty much? How is it not do or die in this situation?? Anyway, I don't have much to say today. The Dodgers put their hopes on Billingsley's shoulders, who had a terrible Game 2 start, giving up 8 runs in less than 3 innings. Cole Hamels goes tonight on regular rest, and he has looked great this post-season. 

Joe Torre cancelled practice yesterday to give the Dodgers a mental break, while Charlie Manuel wanted to keep his team loose and flowing. Can the Dodger bullpen recover? Can the Phillies offense get the support they need from Hamels? The Phillies have history on their side - 9 of 11 teams to be up 3-0 in an LCS have gone on to win the series. (Boston in '04 and '07 being the exceptions.) 

Game 5, here we come!!

The National League Championship Series was set yesterday. Jeff Suppan's post-season experience was of no help, as the Phillies homered the Brewers right out of the series on their way to a 6-2 win. They get ready to host the Dodgers starting on Thursday. Today brings the possibilities of deciding the ALCS teams - or of going to Game 5s in both.

2:05pm AZT, TBS

Series: 2-1, Rays

Andy Sonnanstine RHP, 13-9, 4.38

Gavin Floyd RHP, 17-8, 3.84

Andy Sonnanstine - who? Not a big name pitcher, but one the Rays need to rely on today. He didn't end the season on a positive note (losing his last 3) but he has handled the White Sox nicely this season, going 1-0 with a sub-3 ERA in 4 starts. But the White Sox finally hit with runners in scoring position yesterday to stave off elimination for at least one more day. They have been energized by their home crowd and send out the young Gavin Floyd to make his post-season debut (as will Sonnanstine) and keep the Rays from getting their big hits in scoring position. (Yahoo lists 17 LOB yesterday.) The Rays need to not let their loss disparage them, and the Sox need to keep their offense going. Should be an interesting matchup.

5:35pm AZT, TBS

Series: 2-1, Sox

John Lackey RHP, 12-5, 3.75 Series: 0-1, 2.70

Jon Lester LHP, 16-6, 3.21 Series: 1-0, 0.00

This is a rematch of Game 1 of this series. Can I just copy what I wrote then? ;) Probably not, as I don't think it played out as expected. This was a great low-scoring pitchers' duel. Jon Lester allowed 6 hits but only 1 unearned run, and John Lackey gave up 4 hits but 3 walks and 2 earned runs. Last night's 12-inning affair (won by the Angels) combined with the starters' short starts may have taxed the bullpen. This is particularly important for K-Rod, who threw over 33 pitches in one inning, and Papelbon, who threw 31 pitches in two innings. If Boston can keep Mike Napoli from hitting moon shots tonight,  Boston has a good shot of winning this one.

One division series down, three more to go. (And two fewer games to watch on TBS!) The Dodgers took care of the Cubs last night, finishing them off in a 3-1 victory in which the Cubs hardly seemed to threaten. They scattered 8 hits and went 1-for-11 with RISP (the one scoring Derrick Lee in the 8th). For the second year in a row, the Cubs have been swept out of the post-season by the NL West champ. Alfonso Soriano summed it up brilliantly by saying: “We did not play good, like a team. That’s the reason we didn’t win.” The Dodgers now await the winner of the Phillies/Brewers.

10:07am AZT, TBS

Joe Blanton RHP, 9-12, 4.69

Jeff Suppan RHP, 10-10, 4.96

The Brewers managed to stave off  elimination by beating the Phillies 4-2. They scored two runs in the first and never looked back, getting strong pitching performances and decent hitting. Today they pin their post-season hopes on Jeff Suppan. Suppan has a strong post-season record but had a poor regular season; Joe Blanton, too, has been merely mediocre this year. I would be surprised if this is a low scoring affair, but both pitchers do have the potential to bear down and pitch well. Milwaukee should be able to build on the momentum they built yesterday, but Philly's offense might be too much for the Brewers.

1:07pm AZT, TBS

Matt Garza RHP, 11-9, 3.70

John Danks LHP, 12-9, 3.32

Tampa Bay heads into Chicago up 2 games to none. Though both pitchers' numbers look similar, Garza had a rough September, not lasting 5 innings in any of his last 3 starts. Danks, meanwhile, held the Twins hitless through 5 innings his last time out. The White Sox have a good shot at taking this one, but only if their bats are awakened by their hometown crowd.

4:07pm AZT, TBS

Joe Saunders RHP, 17-7, 3.41

Josh Beckett RHP, 12-10, 4.03

I don't think anybody predicted the injury-plagued Red Sox to be up 2 games against the AL-best Angels. Once again Anaheim's pitcher has the edge in numbers, but everyone knows Beckett is a big game pitcher, pitching the Marlins and Red Sox to World Series titles before. The Angels too need to find their bats (did someone double check the suitcases?) and hope they brought along a lot of Rally Monkeys to help keep their post-season hopes alive.

Sorry these previews aren't very good today! I am a little tired from pain pills. Many thanks to Jim for starting this up the past two days and letting me continue it. :)

We had a pretty good turnout for yesterday's action, so we've decided to keep it going for a while longer. Interest will likely wane eventually, but after spending 6 months with you crazy people, I can't imagine going elsewhere to follow a team, even if it's not ours. But if you're interested, SBNation has a nice post-season section set up with links to all the other blogs.

Yesterday in a nutshell: the Phillies took advantage of Brewer miscues to win 3-1, the Dodgers slammed (literally) the Cubs 7-3, and the Red Sox came away with a 4-1 win over the Angels, running their streak to 10 straight wins over Anaheim in the post-season. (Interestingly, the last pair of teams to exhibit that kind of dominance/ineptitude was Oakland going 10-0 over Boston from '88-'03.)

2:37pm ET, TBS

Javier Vazquez RHP, 12-16, 4.67

James Shields RHP, 12-8, 3.56

Today brings our first look at the White Sox and Rays, and it will be a test for both teams. The Sox had to essentially play two extra games just to get to the post-season, and the nerves of the young Rays will be put center stage in their first ever playoff game. We know from experience that Javy Vazquez is like a coin - it can land on its head or its tail, but it is durable enough to always land somewhere. He has the experience that can overcome his sometimes gaudy-looking numbers, but he can just as easily implode on himself. A brief glance at Shields' numbers shows he can give up a lot of hits and walks but not necessarily a lot of runs. This looks like a toss up... either one of these teams can come away with this one.

6:07pm ET, TBS

CC Sabathia LHP, 17-10, 2.70

Brett Myers RHP, 10-13, 4.55

Despite the score, Milwaukee played pretty well yesterday. Both offenses were weak, and Philadelphia's 3 runs came all in one inning and were all unearned for starter Yovani Gallardo. Milwaukee has to score for its ace CC Sabathia, who is running out there on 3 days' rest for the 4th straight time. Cole Hamels was masterful over the Brewers, but don't expect Brett Myers to be able to do the same thing. It should be Sabathia's turn to confound the offense, but you have to think that all these starts on short rest might backfire eventually. Edge to Milwaukee for having Sabathia on the mound.

9:37pm ET, TBS

Chad Billingsly RHP, 16-10, 3.14

Carlos Zambrano RHP, 14-6, 3.91

Cubs fans and Cubs alike were stunned by yesterday's 7-3 defeat. Lou Pinella left starter Ryan Dempster in there a bit too long, just long enough for James Loney hit a monster grand slam to pull the Dodgers from behind 0-2 to ahead 4-2. The Cubs never really threatened after that, and the Dodgers tacked on throughout the rest of the night. Glad to see Pinella isn't "saving" Zambrano for Game 9 or anything. Both of these starters are workhorses with similar numbers, but I give the edge to Z and the Cubs tonight. Do not expect them to go out as quietly this year as they did last.

Well, despite our beloved Diamondbacks not being in the playoffs, I know a lot of us have other allegiances (temporarily, perhaps) and figured we could use a place to discuss these games. Depending on activity, this thread may just be updated each day with the matchups.

The best laid plans... well, I missed the TBS pregame show so my analysis for these games isn't going to be very deep. Please add your own thoughts in the thread!

3:07pm ET, TBS

Yovani Gallardo RHP, 0-0, 1.88

Cole Hamels RHP, 14-10, 3.09

Milwaukee has an uphill battle against the Phillies, as they are only 1-5 in their meetings this year! In the last series in September, the Phillies scored 20 runs against the Brewers' 7. Yovani Gallardo is making only his fifth start of the year, returning from two knee surgeries, and is one of only a few pitchers to start a post-season game with no record from the regular season. (And no pitcher with that few starts has ever started a Game 1.) Hopefully this game will play out without a rain delay.

6:37pm ET, TBS

Derek Lowe RHP, 14-11, 3.24

Ryan Dempster RHP, 17-6, 2.96

Oh joy, the series that most (but not all) of us are dreading... because unfortunately, one of these two teams has to win. The Cubs have 13 more wins than the Dodgers, but the Dodgers have played pretty good baseball the last 5 weeks. The Cubs are 5-2 against the Dodgers this season, but all of those games were before the All-Star Break (and before Mannywood). Derek Lowe has been more lights-out recently, but Dempster is one of the aces of the Cubs staff just like Lowe. This shapes up to be a good game.

10:07pm ET, TBS

Jon Lester LHP, 16-6, 3.24

John Lackey RHP, 12-5, 3.75

The Angels have a lot to prove in this series against the Red Sox - they are 0-9 against them in playoff games... 3 straight sweeps! Boston has quite a few injuries and question marks, whereas the Angels are healthy - the complete opposite of last year. The regular season record also favors the Angels, with "Anaheim" going 8-1 against them and winning 8 straight. Lackey is very beatable, and he had a horrible last start (2.2 IP, 10 ER), but Boston won't want to face K-Rod at the end of the game.