So, onto the games. The first season with the new wildcard system looks like being a gripping one, with the one game 'winner-takes-all' mentality sure to be crushing for teams who will have their whole season potentially decided by a bad hop or missed call at first base. In the American league, the Rangers will find themselves playing in a game they would never have thought they would be competing in. Having dominated the AL West for 161 games of the year, they found themselves pipped to the post and forced to play an extra game to make their way into the play-off bracket once again. They will find themselves up against the red-hot Baltimore Orioles led by ex-Ranger Chris Davis who has been on a ridiculous homer-streak over the last week. Buck Showalter has taught his team to treat every game like a play-off, but there is no doubt that they will bring extreme intensity to Friday's match-up, and the Rangers would be foolish to take them lightly.
The Pitching Match-Up
The Rangers will have rookie sensation Yu Darvish taking to the hill for their critical game against a team he has not yet faced in his Major League career. After battling control issues for the first half of the season, Darvish has reigned in his walk rate and with it he has seen a marked improvement in his production. The effects of fatigue seemed to kick-in late in the season, and his ERA in fact is higher post all-star (4.26) than before (3.59). Although his sometimes erratic performances make him a risky starter, if anyone on the team could be called an ace it would have to be Darvish thanks to his astonishing strikeout rates. If the Orioles are patient then they have a chance to get Darvish out early, but if he has his control he could rack up the strikeouts and earn his team a massive W...
As for the Orioles, they will be turning to veteran left-hander Joe Saunders. He has plenty of experience against Texas, but none of it particularly inspiring - he has a 6.48 ERA in 11 starts there. The Orioles' starting pitching is perhaps weaker than that of Texas, but in this game they will simply be looking for 5 or 6 strong innings before handing the game over to the shut-down bullpen. Johnson has gone 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA and has the advantage of never facing the Rangers. They have arguably the most potent line-up in baseball, so it may well end up being a matter of which side can score more runs.
My guess - Rangers win 6-2
On the National League side of the diamond, it is two familiar foes. After having their season ruined by a resurgent September from the St Louis Cardinals last season, the Braves will be back for vengeance. They will have a strong wave of public support on their side due to the popularity of Chipper Jones who is playing his final games in the Major Leagues. Backed by able hitting from young sluggers Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward as well as speedster Michael Bourn, the Braves have been able to compile one of the best records in the NL. With a shutdown closer they will be tough to score against late on in games. However, St Louis have once again been silently good. Overshadowed by the Reds in the Central and without Albert Pujols, they have used timely hitting from players like Matt Holliday, Allen Craig and Carlos Beltran to fuel themselves once again into the World Series race, and as we know they can turn wildcard into ring very easily...
The Pitching Match-Up
The Braves will be sending arguably the most dominant pitcher in the game right now out to the mound for this critical game, with break-out star Kris Medlen getting the nod. Although he was originally supposed to be in the Braves 'pen as a reliever, his comeback from Tommy John surgery had proven successful and he got into the rotation in July. Since then, his rise has been meteoric, as he put together 40.1 innings without an earned. He is also part of a Major League record - the Braves have won 23 straight games that Medlen has started. Although his stuff isn't overpowering, his location and control is simply outstanding, and his change-up currently has a 'whiff' rate of 44% which is among the highest in the league for starting pitchers.
Facing a tough task for the Cardinals will be right-hander Kyle Lohse who has simply sparkled at the front of the rotation for the defending champions. Without veteran Chris Carpenter and a returning from surgery Chris Carpenter, there appeared to be a hole at the front of their rotation which Lohse has filled seamlessly. He has put together a Cy-Young calibre season, recording a 16-3 record and 2.86 ERA, quietly proving to be one of the best pitchers in the league. The Braves hitters have been struggling at the plate recently, and if anyone is going to be able to keep them stifled it will be the break-out young ace. I expect this to be a very low-scoring game, and critical things like errors and steals may prove decisive. Perhaps the biggest factor working for the Braves however is the mere fact that Medlen is on the mound - they will be hoping his astonishing 'win' streak will continue through October.
My guess - Braves win 2-1
So, there you have it. They should be a great couple of games (shame about the unsociable UK start times) and I don't think it would be an overstatement to say that the winner of either game could easily be viewed as a World Series favourite...
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