Red Sox, Rays Take 2-0 Series Leads

J.D. Drew belted a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, leading Boston to a 7-5 win over the Angels. The Red Sox lead the best of five series two games to none.

Here's J.D. Drew talking about that huge homerun last night off Francisco Rodriguez:



The Rays beat the White Sox for a 2-0 lead in their playoff series.

Rocco Baldelli And J.P. Howell Talk After The Rays Game 2 Win:


Here's Joe Maddon talking about Akinori Iwamura's huge homerun last night:


Both Chicago teams have choked in this series. Tonight, the Cubs will try to avoid a sweep. Tommorow, the White Sox will try to do the same.

Baseball Tonight Looks Ahead to tonight's games:


Watch The Brewers and Cubs try to avoid elimination tonight on TBS.

Tim Kurkjian On The Struggling Cubs

Tim Kurkjian talks about the Cubs' playoff woes.


The Cubs are just about dead in this one.

Each Cubbie infielder had a hole in their glove Thursday night, and Manny Ramirez continues to show that the Cubs need to use the intentional walk.

Some Questions:

Why is Derrek Lee still hitting in the three spot? I would have put Aramis in the three spot, and move Derrek down in the order.

Why Is Manny Ramirez still being pitched to?

Why are the Cubs and Angels down 0-2 in their series?

Why is the NL's best offense being outscored tenfold?

Will The Cubs fight back and make this a series, or will their lack of plate discipline and shaky defense lead to another three and out in the postseason?

Watch Game Three tonight on TBS.

Dodgers, Phillies Take 2-0 Leads; Rays Win

The Phillies and Dodgers have 2-0 leads in their respective National League playoff series, while the Tampa Bay Rays won their first ever postseason game, beating the White Sox.

BBTN Minute: Cubs Fall To Dodgers

Dodgers And Cubs Talk After Game 1

If The Cubs don't win tonight, they will have to win on the road.

Carlos Zambrano MUST pitch like an ace tonight, and the offense MUST wake up!

Where was the Cubs Home Field Advantage last night? I Sure didm't hear it. After that James Loney Grand Slam, you could have heard a pin drop at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs fans need to forget about the 100 years, being five outs away in 2003, Durham, All of that. That was in the past. The Cubs want to win in the present. Their fans should cheer for the Cubs with reckless abandonment, reguardless of the score.

Playoff Wins for Red Sox, Dodgers and Phillies

The Dodgers' James Loney hit a grand slam as LA topped the Cubs 7-2; Jayson Bay belted a two-run homer as the Red Sox beat the Angels 4-1; Philadelphia got strong pitching from Cole Hamels in a 3-1 win over Milwaukee.

The MLB Postseason Is Here! I LIVE FOR THIS!

Prince Fielder,Derrek Lee, Ryan Howard, and David Ortiz are ready for the postseason.

The 2008 MLB Posteason Is Here! Here Is My Analysis of the Divisional Playoff Matchups:

ALDS: WHITE SOX VS RAYS
The White Sox had to battle to get to the postseason. They won that makeup game against the Twins to tie for the AL Central, and then they won that tiebreaker game against the Twins to advance to the ALDS to play the red hot Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa Bay leads the season series against the White Sox 6-4. In these games, the Rays had a knack for waiting until late in the ballgame to strike, and when they struck late, it was for the win nearly every time.

I think this series has the most potential to go all five games. I'm going to go with the White Sox, especially if their bullpen is as strong as it has been in the last few days.
WHITE SOX IN FIVE


ALDS: RED SOX VS ANGELS

This series should be a lot of fun. There will be a lot of runs scored in this series, and I like the Angels. They have been the best team in the American League all season. As someone who saw the Angels play in person on September 19th,They have so many ways they can beat you. They can outhit you, outpitch you, and when Francisco Rodriguez on the mound in the ninth inning, those games are over, no question about it.

The Angels lead the season Series 8-1, and that was before the Red Sox unloaded Manny Ramirez.
ANGELS IN THREE


NLDS: PHILLIES VS BREWERS

This is another series that I think will be a lot of fun. I think both Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard will both be huge factors in their teams and how they do.

Starting Pitching wise, Milwaukee has the edge, especially with C.C Sabathia. The fact that he threw a complete game on Sunday on three days rest is incredible!

Bullpen wise, Philly has a huge advantage, especially when you consider Brad Lidge, the Phillies closer, has been PERFECT in his save opportunities! 41 for 41 in save chances!

Offense wise, Philly has a slight edge. Yes, Milwaukee has Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, but Philly has Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz, and Ryan Howard lead an offense that Is Scary Good.

Philly beat Milwaukee 5-1 in the season series.
PHILLIES IN FOUR



NLDS: DODGERS VS CUBS

This is the series I will be looking forward to. The thing that turned the season around for the Los Angeles Dodgers was the trade of Manny Ramirez. Why Is Manny Ramirez doing so well in Los Angeles? He no longer has a 37 foot high Green Monster out in left field taking away lots of shots that would-be homers at every other ballpark.

The Dodgers are more than just Manny Ramirez. They have Matt Kemp, Andre Eithier, and James Loney. This team has been able to fuse the young talent along with the veteran leadership, and as a result, the Dodgers are in the postseason.

Game One of this series should be a lot of fun. You have Ryan Dempster getting the ball for the Cubs. Dempster won 17 games for the Cubs this year, after he spent last season as the Cubs closer! Derek Lowe for the Dodgers is a classic sinkerballer, just like Brandon Webb. Hopefully the Cubbies plate discipline doesn't disappear when they head to the postseason.

This Cubs team is different than last season's team that went three and out in the National League Division Series. The Cubs have five players with at least 20 home runs, five with at least 74 RBIs, and Three pitchers that have at least 14 wins.

Another thing that the Cubs didn't have last year that should make the difference is Home Field Advantage. The Cubs have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. That 10th man, the crowd, makes all the difference.

In The Season series, the Cubs went 5-2 against the Dodgers this season. However, The Dodgers have become a much different team since then. Manny Ramirez really has made all the difference.

CUBS IN FOUR

Watch The MLB Postseason On TBS Or Listen To It On ESPN Radio!