The Next Round: MLB Playoff Picture

The MLB is divided into the American and National Leagues. Each league crowns a champion that then go head to head in the World Series. Well, after last night's Texas Rangers victory, the fields have been set. In the American League, the Texas Rangers will face the NY Yankees, and in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies are matched up against the San Francisco Giants.

American League Division Series:

The Yankees seem to always be a favorite, but the Rangers are coming with some strong momentum. The Rangers postseason series win against the Tampa Bay Rays is the first in the team's franchise history! And more importantly, it wasn't only the pitching of Cliff Lee that got them there, but also their heads up aggressive base running. (In last night's game, runs were scored from two infield hits!)

National League Division Series:
The pitching is the talk of the 2010 postseason, but the match up between the Phillies and Giants will be the ultimate pitching exhibition. The Phillies have the big three, Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels, agains the Giants' top four (Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Bumgarner). Every game of the series will be a showdown with these lineups. The Phillies are hoping to be the next dynasty - if they win this series they will be the first NL team to reach the World Series three years in a row since the 1940s! (Now mind you, there is much more these Phillies will have to prove in the World Series to truly be a dynasty.)