LDS Standings

We're heading into the first set of possible elimination games tonight. Each series has gone two games so far. And each series, well...let's just say they haven't exactly been back-and-forth affairs thus far.

Diamondbacks lead Cubs 2-0
Rockies lead Phillies 2-0
Red Sox lead Angels 2-0
Indians lead Yankees 2-0

In 3-out of-4 of those scenarios, the best you can say is that the home team got the job done. (This includes the Diamondbacks, despite the large amount of blue jerseys out there in Arizona.) The Indians were dominating on offense in Game 1. The Red Sox were dominating in pitching in Game 1. Game 2, the home team won close games on walk-off hits. In each of those three series, it's the home team that's up 2-0. Now, it's time for the return volley as the Cubs, Angels, and Yankees take their turn hosting to see if they can escape from the brink of elimination and force a Game 5.

Then, there are the Phillies who blew both games at home and now must travel to Colorado and take two if their playoff hopes are to stay alive. Winning two in a row in any park is a tough task, but to lose two at home is even harder to swallow. I'm not sure anyone expected the Rockies to remain as hot as they'd been after that 13-inning playoff game against San Diego. The pitching hasn't always been pretty (although Jeff Francis was good in Game 1), but the offense has continued to shine. Kaz Matsui, anyone?

Today, Game 3 of both NLDS.

The Diamondbacks send RHP Livan Hernandez into enemy territory to try to seal the deal against LHP Rich Hill and the Cubs. The game airs at 6pm on TBS.

Hernandez is coming off of a loss on September 26th at Pittsburgh. He lasted four innings and allowed four runs on ten hits (1 HR) with three walks and three strikeouts. This will be his first start against the Cubs this season. His regular season ends 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA over 33 starts. The veteran has good career numbers against the Cubs. He is 6-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 games, and at Wrigley Field he is 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA.

Rich Hill is coming off of a win at Cincinnati on September 29th. He pitched six shutout innings, allowing over one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. In his one start back on July 21st against Arizona, Hill picked up a no decision. He lasted six innings and allowed one earned run (2 total) on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts. Hill ended the 2007 regular season with an 11-8 record and 3.92 ERA over 32 starts.

In the 9:30pm TBS game, veteran LHP Jamie Moyer takes the ball for Philadelphia as the Phillies look to stay alive in Colorado against RHP Ubaldo Jimenez and the Rockies.

Moyer is finishing the season 14-12 with a 5.01 ERA over 33 starts. He picked up the win in the Phillies' NL East-winning game over the Nationals on September 30th, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing no earned runs (1 total) on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Moyer lost his one game at Colorado back on July 7th this season. He went 5.2 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits (1 HR - Spillborghs) with three walks and two strikeouts.

Jimenez is coming off of a no-decision against Arizona. He went 6.1 innings and allowed one run on one hit with four walks and ten strikeouts. In his September 10th start at Philadelphia, Jimenez also took a no-decision. He lasted six innings and allowed two runs on four hits (1 HR - Howard) with three walks and three strikeouts. Jimenez finished the 2007 regular season with a 4-4 record and 4.28 ERA over 15 starts.

The Cubs and Phillies need to win tonight if they want to play again on Sunday. It's as simple as that.