Bring on the TBDs....
The Rays rode the longball in Chicago to a series sweep of the White Sox after mashing a half-dozen in a 9-4 clinching win. Series MVP Rodrigo Aponte belted a pair as did Angel Gonzales and Tampa Bay overcame an uncharacteristically poor start from Jorge Barraza to win. The bullpen was outstanding again, going 10 shutout innings over the three games and it was a close one tonight until Aaron White and Gonzales went yard in the 9th. Barraza meanwhile lost leads of 3-0 and 4-2 in allowing his first runs after going 23 1/3 scoreless to close out the regular season but he still picked up the win. Now we await the winner of the Rangers-Twins series at Publix Park for Game 1 of the ALCS with Dave Rose toeing the rubber.
And the Twins did stay alive, grabbing a late come-from-behind road win in Arlington:
Meanwhile in the NLDS yesterday:
The Phillies and Rockies both stave off elimination for at least a day.
And today:
The Dodgers advance to the NLCS while the Rockies have forced the series back to Pittsburgh for a deciding Game 5 as the Isotopes' title defense is suddenly in some jeopardy.