Last night's Game 5 in New York was so exciting, let's do that again today. Twice. Both National League Division Series will be decided today, with games in both Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers - NLDS, Game 5: 2 p.m.
Ian Kennedy and Yovani Gallardo give us a rematch of Game 1 of this series, which was a close contest into the seventh inning, when Prince Fielder hit a two-run home run off Kennedy to double Milwaukee's lead to 4-0. The Brewers won that game 4-1, starting a trend of home teams winning each game of this series. The Brewers outscored the Diamondbacks 13-5 in two games in Milwaukee, then Arizona outscored Milwaukee 18-7 in two games in Phoenix.
The Brewers are 59-24 this season at Miller Park.
TV: TBS
St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies - NLDS, Game 5: 5:30 p.m.
Outside of CC Sabathia vs. Justin Verlander in the ALDS, this game provides us with the best pitching matchup of the first round. Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter battle in a matchup of fully-rested Cy Young Award winners in Philadelphia.
In 16 starts at Citizens Bank Park this season, Halladay has 13 walks and 116 strikeouts, and he has allowed four home runs in 121 innings. One of those home runs was hit by Lance Berkman in Game 1 six days ago to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead in the first inning. After that home run, Halladay retired 24 of the next 25 batters, including the final 21 he faced, and the Phillies won 11-6.
The Phillies are trying to become the second National League team to play in four straight NLCS, joining the Atlanta Braves, who played in five straight from 1995-1999 (and eight straight if you throw out the strike year of 1994).
TV: TBS
Potential NLCS Game 1 Matchups, Sunday
Milwaukee at Philadelphia
Arizona at Philadelphia
St. Louis at Milwaukee
St. Louis at Arizona