MLB Wild Card Preview

One game separates four teams from the league division series and the start of a long winter thinking of what could have been. Last year’s World Series participants are both involved, with an unlikely success story in the AL and the possible final game of a legend in the NL.

Cardinals @ Braves- 5:07 p.m., TBS- Atlanta hasn’t lost in 23 starts that Kris Medlen has pitched in, tying the all-time record. But St. Louis has this ability and veteran presence of mind to always come through in huge playoff games. Rookie Manager Mike Matheny will go with Kyle Lohse against the Braves, and it’d be easy to pick the Redbirds when you consider that Brian McCann won’t be playing. But in what could be Chipper Jones’ last game, you’d hate to see it end this way. Watch out for Allen Craig and Jon Jay, both in the top 10 in the NL in hits since September 1.

St. Louis 5 Atlanta 3

Orioles @ Rangers- 8:37 p.m., TBS- Yu Darvish has had a tremendous rookie season, and the sliding Rangers will need his best effort to defeat Joe Saunders and Baltimore. The Orioles have been tremendous in close and late contests, with a tremendous bullpen, great managing and a young team that has come together to play great baseball this season. However, the Rangers have the experience of the last two AL pennants and a ferocious lineup led by the red hot Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre.

Texas 9 Baltimore 5