Monday's MLB Playoffs Open Thread

Today will be the last four-game day of the 2013 MLB season. We enter the day with four active DS-round series, and by the end of the day there could be just one.

Noon Central time:

The one series guaranteed to go on past today is in Detroit, where the Tigers face the A's at noon. Former #9 overall pick Jarrod Parker of Oakland will be making his first postseason start against Anibal Sanchez, who posted a 1.77 ERA in three playoff starts during the Tigers' run to the World Series a year ago. This series is tied 1-1.

2 pm:

Our first potential elimination game of the day follows at 2, as the Cardinals and Pirates play Game 4 of their NLDS series at PNC Park. With the season on the line the Cardinals will send rookie Michael Wacha to the mound to take on Charlie Morton. Morton finished the season with a 2.67 ERA over his final eleven starts. The Pirates lead this series 2-1.

5 pm:

The parade of potential elimination games then continues to St. Petersburg, where the Rays will look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Red Sox at 5. Wild Card Game-winner Alex Cobb will take the mound for the Rays against Clay Buchholz, who only appeared in 16 games during the season but posted a 1.74 ERA.

8:30 pm

The day wraps up in Los Angeles, where the Dodgers have a chance to continue last night's momentum into a series win over the Braves. Ricky Nolasco will try to close things out for the Dodgers, which would leave Clayton Kershaw free to pitch Game 1 of the NLCS, while Freddy Garcia will try to save the season for the Braves. Despite having played just three games Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez is tied for the MLB lead with seven hits, four runs and six RBI this postseason

Today's noon game is on MLB Network, with the rest scheduled for TBS. Overflow coverage will move over to TNT if necessary. Enjoy the games!