AL Wildcard Play-In Game Thread

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(AP)

Remember back in 2009, when the Yankees finished with the best record in the AL but had to wait until the Twins and Tigers played Game 163 before they knew who they would play in the ALDS? This wildcard play-in game is kinda like that. The Yankees again finished with the best record in the league this year, but tonight’s game will determine their opponent come Game One of ALDS on Sunday night. It’ll also tell them where they’re traveling tomorrow since they open on the road.

Based on this morning’s poll, the vast majority of RAB readers would prefer to see the Yankees face the Orioles in the ALDS. On today’s podcast, both Joe and I said we’d rather see the Rangers advance to the ALDS. I don’t think there’s a right answer here, both Texas and Baltimore are good teams and will be a tough matchup in a best-of-five series. Either way, we should all be rooting for about 20 innings tonight. Here are the lineups…

Baltimore Orioles
LF Nate McLouth
SS J.J. Hardy
RF Chris Davis
CF Adam Jones
C  Matt Wieters
DH Jim Thome
1B Mark Reynolds
2B Ryan Flaherty
3B Manny Machado

LHP Joe Saunders (9-13, 4.07)

Texas Rangers
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
LF Josh Hamilton
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Michael Young
DH Mike Napoli
C  Geovany Soto
CF Craig Gentry

RHP Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90)

Tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 8:37pm ET and can be seen on TBS. Enjoy.

McGehee will not be on ALDS roster; Nix hit in simulated games today

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Via Andrew Marchand, infielder Casey McGehee said he was informed that he will not be on the ALDS active roster. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman reports that utility man Jayson Nix took some at-bats against David Aardsma and Adam Warren in a simulated game today.

Nix has been out for a week with a strained left hip flexor, and the original report indicated that he would miss 10-14 days. The last bench spot on the ALDS roster appeared to be a decision between Andruw Jones and McGehee, but the versatile and right-handed hitting Nix would obviously get the call over both if he’s actually healthy enough to play.

NL Wildcard Play-In Game Thread

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The Braves and Cardinals officially kick off the postseason this afternoon, as they meet in Atlanta in the first ever wildcard play-in game. The winner will advance to the NLDS and face the Nationals while the loser goes home. One game, winner take all. It’s fun as long as the Yankees aren’t involved. Kris Medlen (1.57 ERA and 2.42 FIP) vs. Kyle Lohse (2.86 ERA and 3.51 FIP) is your pitching matchup, and the game can be seen on TBS at 5:07pm ET. Talk about it here.

If he had his way, would Mo be pitching in the playoffs?

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Remember that whole bit from back in July, where Mariano Rivera‘s doctor said that the closer could pitch again this year? Brian Cashman shot down that report soon after, basically ending our hopes of seeing Mo before 2013. Earlier this week Cashman reiterated his stance, but in doing so he told a story that I haven’t seen anyone report.

In August [Rivera] threw in the Yankee Stadium outfield in front of pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

“He went out there on his own earlier [in August] and caused a ruckus,” Cashman said. “We had to smoke him on that: ‘What the hell are you doing? Now all these guys think you’re coming back.’ The doctor — his doctor, the surgery doctor — was like, ‘Stop! What are you doing?’ “

I have to think that if MO had his way, he’d be on the ALDS roster ready to close out Sunday’s game.

MLB announces umpires, start times for Games One & Two of ALDS

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The Yankees still don’t know who they’re going to play in the ALDS, but at least now they know when they’ll be playing and who will be running things on the field. MLB announced that Game One will start 6:15pm ET on Sunday while Game Two will begin at 8:07pm ET on Monday. Both games will be broadcast on TBS and will be played in either Texas or Baltimore, depending on who wins tonight’s wildcard play-in game.

The six-man umpiring crew will include Brian Gorman, Mark Carlson, Fieldin Culbreth, Mike Everitt, Angel Hernandez, and Tony Randazzo. I wonder if that order indicates Hernandez will be behind the plate for a potential Game Five, which would be a disaster. Either way, Games Three though Five (in necessary) will be played Wednesday through Friday of next week with start times yet to be announced.

The RAB Radio Show: October 5th, 2012

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The Yankees looked shaky at times, but when all was said and done they didn’t spend a day out of first place in September. With the No. 1 seed we won’t see them until Sunday, but there’s plenty to talk about between now and then.

  • ALDS roster: Who are you taking? Mike and I think there are 13 guarantees for position players, and we pretty much agree who gets the one up-for-grabs spot.
  • On the pitching staff there’s really just one decision to make in terms of players to take, but there is the issue of when each starter takes the ball.
  • After much Yankees-centric talk, we get to the hot button issue of the moment: would you rather play Boston or Texas?
  • And plenty more playoff preview goodness.

Podcast run time 51:39

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

[audio:http://riveraveblues.com/podcasts/TheRABRadioShow100512.mp3]

Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.