Game 5's

1981, 2001, and now 2011 marks the third time in MLB history there will be three game 5's in the Divisional Series. Two of which are in the NL and one in the AL. Lets Start with the AL Where the Texas Rangers can only sit and wait. having already advanced to the ALCS by knocking of the Tampa Bay Rays 3 games to 1.

Matchups

Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees Tonight at 8pm on TBS

Arizona @ Milwaukee Friday at 6pm on TBS

St. Louis @ Philadelphia Friday at 8:30pm on TBS

Tigers Manager Jim Leyland

The Detroit Tigers Travel to New York tonight to face the 27 time world champion Yankees, first pitch will begin at 8pm Eastern Time. Detroit sends two year pro Doug Fister to the mound where he went 11-13 with a 2.83 ERA and 146 strikeouts during the regular season. Many were expecting ace Justin Verlander to take the hill in game 5, however Tigers skipper Jim Leyland made it clear that Verlander would not be available for tonights matchup. Verlander went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and is the likely canidate for the Cy Young Award in the AL. 

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi

For the Yankees rookie pitcher Ivan Nova will take the hill calling it "the biggest game of his career." Nova went 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA and 98 Strikeouts during the regular season. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said in yesterdays press conference that their ace CC Sabathia will be available for tonights game if needed. Girardi also said he will go to Mariano Rivera (MO) in the 8th for 4 to 6 outs if Nova starts to struggle.





Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke

To the National League where the Milwaukee Brewers are coming off their best regular season record in team histroy going 96-66, and are looking for their first World Series title in team history. The Brewers send Yovani Gallardo to the mound who finished 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA and 207 strikeouts. Milwaukee will try to put this game out of reach early with their clutch hitters Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. Braun finished second only to Jose Reyes in the NL batting title, batting a career best .332 and enters game five batting .467 in the Postseason. Prince Fielder finished second in the NL only to Matt Kemp in home runs with 38, but Fielder thinks this will be his last year in Milwaukee. Prince just doesnt think the Brewers can afford to bring him back, however Prince says if this is his last year in Milwaukee he wants to go out with a bang.



Dbacks Manager Kirk Gibson



Arizona has won their last two games at home by a combined score of 18-7 to force a game five in Milwaukee. The Diamond Backs send 21 game winner Ian Kennedy to the mound where he is making only his second Postseason start. Kennedy finished tied for first with Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kennedy comes into game five with a 2.88 ERA and 198 Strikeouts. First year manager and World Series hero Kirk Gibson is trying to lead Arizona to their first NLCS appearance since 2007, and their first World Series appearance since 2001. The two teams will face off tomorrow at 6pm Eastern time on TBS.



Cardinals Ace Chris Carpenter



The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Fighting Phills yesterday night to force a game five. The Cardinals send ace Chris Capenter to the mound on only 3 days rest. His last Start he gave up 4 runs to the Phils in a no decision where the Cards pulled off the win 5-4. On Tuesday Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols was complaining about the 4:00 game time because of the shadows casted around Busch Stadium. Pujols wont have anything to complain about on friday with an 8:30 pm start time. Carpenter has a career record of 5-2 in the Postseason with a 3.38 ERA. David Freese was the hero in game 4 by blasting a two run homer and two run double. The question is will he show up in game five?





Phillies Ace Roy Halladay



The Philadelphia Phillies send ace Roy Halladay to the mound. He is 3-1 for his career in the postseason including a no hitter. Hallady went 19-6 to finish out the regular season and is in the top conversation to win the NL Cy Young along with Clayton Kershaw. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley have combined to bat .512 threw the first 4 games in the postseason. While the other Phillies Star Ryan Howard is batting .133 in the postseason, and has set the record for the most three strikeout games in postseason history with 10. The Phillies are looking for their 4th straight NLCS series birth will find out who gets the upperhand tomorrow night at 8:30.