Friday's MLB Playoffs Open Thread

This is where I'd normally do a "Today's Matchup" post, but there is simply TOO MUCH ACTION.

The 2013 MLB playoffs resume Friday at noon when the Pirates and Cardinals face off in Game 2 of the NLDS in St. Louis. Lance Lynn will make his 17th playoff appearance and third start for the Cardinals, while Gerrit Cole pitches in the postseason for Pittsburgh for the first time. The Cardinals lead the series 1-0.

The AL Division Series round opens in Boston at 2 when Jon Lester and the White Sox take on Matt Moore and the Rays. The Rays haven't played a home game since September 23. The Red Sox have been off for the last four days while the Rays have dispatched the Rangers and Indians.

At 5 the other NLDS continues in Atlanta, where Mike Minor and the Braves will look to bounce back from last night's loss against Zack Greinke and the Dodgers. Greinke hasn't pitched in the postseason since Game 5 of the 2011 NLCS. The Dodgers lead the series 1-0.

The day wraps up out west, where the other ALDS series featuring the Tigers and A's opens at 8:30. 21-game winner Max Scherzer will take the mound for the Tigers against Bartolo Colon, who might be the least likely playoff-opening starter of all time.

The quadrupleheader starts on MLB Network at noon, with the remaining three games all scheduled to appear on TBS.

There's rain in the forecast in Boston this afternoon, but it should clear out by early evening at the latest. That's today's only weather concern.