Getting ready for round two
UNDATED (AP) — No matter what, two of the four playoff series in baseball will come to an end tonight as the Detroit-Oakland and Cincinnati-San Francisco series are tied at 2-2. The other two series could end today as well as the Cardinals and Yankees lead their respective series 2-1.
In the first game of the day the Reds and Giants are squaring off in game 5 of their best of 5 series. The Giants evened things up yesterday with an 8-3 win over the Reds in Cincinnati. This afternoon’s game is being played in the Queen City as well with Matt Cain, a 16 game winner this season, facing Mat Latos, who was 14-4.. The visiting team has won every game in this series so far.
In Washington this afternoon the Nationals are playing host to the Cardinals in game 4 of their series. The Cardinals took a 2-1 lead yesterday with a commanding 8-0 win. The defending World Champion Cardinals are going for the clincher today with16 game winner Kyle Lohsh against 10-8 Ross Detwiler. The Nationals are trying to keep alive what has been a magical season in the Nation’s Capital.
As was the case yesterday the two American League playoff games are being played at night. In the first contest the Yankees are playing host to Baltimore in game 4 of that series. New York tops the affair 2-1 after last night’s dramatic 3-2 win in 12 innings. Phil Hughes is getting the ball from manager Joe Girardi while the Orioles are countering with Joe Saunders. Hughes was a 16 game winner this season while Saunders has faced the Yankees in the playoffs before, as a member of the 2009 Angels’ team.
The final game of the night is in Oakland as the charging Athletics, who have won two straight after dropping the first two games, entertain the reeling Tigers. The home team has won every game in this series. The pitching matchup in this closer has Tigers ace Justin Verlander on the mound against Jarrod Parker. Verlander won the opening game of the series with Parker the loser.
The next round of play in the post season will start this Saturday with game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The NLCS will start on Sunday.
Popular driver to miss two races
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the next two Sprint Cup races with a concussion. The news ends his chances of winning the 2012 Chase championship. Hendrick Motorsports says that Earnhardt will sit out Charlotte and Kansas, and Regan Smith will replace him in the No. 88 Chevrolet.
The team reports that Earnhardt was diagnosed Wednesday in Charlotte.
Earnhardt was injured in a 25-car last-lap accident Sunday at Talladega. Because he was able to drive his car away from the accident, Earnhardt was not required to go to the care center for an examination at the time.
By sitting out the next two races, he’ll most certainly finish last in the 12-driver Chase race.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Baltimore at N-Y Yankees 6:37 p.m.
Detroit at Oakland 8:37 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Francisco at Cincinnati 12:07 p.m.
St. Louis at Washington 3:07 p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Pittsburgh at Tennessee 7:20 p.m.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
Miami 94 L-A Clippers 80
New York at Washington 6:00 p.m.
Philadelphia at Orlando 6:00 p.m.
New Orleans at Charlotte 6:30 p.m.