Washington Nationals Playoff Preview

The Nationals will play the Cardinals in the NLDS. Games One and Two will be played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, while Games Three, Four, and Five (if necessary) will be played in Washington. It is a best three out of five series. Gio Gonzalez takes on the Cards in Game One, and he will likely be followed by Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson. Ross Detwiler and John Lannan were pushed toward the back and possibly off the rotation because of the Cardinals' ability to hit left-handed pitching. The Cardinals have not announced who they will counter with, but it is likely that Adam Wainwright will oppose Gonzalez in Game One. The Cardinals burned their best pitcher, Kyle Lohse, in the Wild Card Game, so he may not even pitch at all in this series. It is Washington's first postseason appearance since the Senators lost the World Series to the Giants in 1933.

Playoff News

The Cardinals topped the Braves, 6-3, in the first ever Wild Card Game to advance to the NLDS against the Nationals.

The Orioles topped the Giants, 5-1, to advance to the ALDS against the Yankees.

In his final at bat, Chipper Jones hit a broken bat ground ball up the middle, which he beat out for an infield single.

Game Scores

Cardinals beat the Braves 6-3, win NL Wild Card Game.

Orioles beat the Rangers 5-1, win AL Wild Card Game.

Postseason Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Freddie Freeman (Braves) and David Ross (Braves), .750 (3-4). Home runs: Matt Holliday (Cardinals) and David Ross, 1. RBI: Nate McLouth (Orioles) and David Ross, 2. Stolen bases: Nate McLouth and Matt Reynolds (Orioles), 1.

Pitching: Wins: Kyle Lohse (Cardinals) and Joe Saunders (Orioles), 1. K's: Yu Darvish (Rangers), 7. ERA: Darren O'Day (Orioles), 0.00 (2 shutout innings). Saves: Jason Motte (Cardinals), 1.

Top Performers

Offensive: David Ross (Braves, vs Cardinals): 3-4, home run, 2 RBI, run.

Pitching: Joe Saunders (Orioles, vs Rangers): Win, 5.2 innings, 1 earned run, 6 hits, 1 walk, 4 K's.

Worst Pitching Performance: Joe Nathan (Rangers, vs Orioles): 1 inning, 2 earned runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 K.

Today's Probables

ALDS Game 1: A's @ Tigers: Jarrod Parker (Reg. season: 13-8, 3.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) vs Justin Verlander (Reg. season: 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP).

NLDS Game 1: Reds @ Giants: Johnny Cueto (Reg. season: 19-9, 2.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) vs Matt Cain (Reg. season: 16-5, 2.79 ERA, 1.04 WHIP).

-- 
Teams followed in this update: Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies

If your team is not included, please leave a comment.

HR: home runs. RBI: runs batted in. AVG: batting average. SB: stolen bases. ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched. K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage

Zack Silverman