MLB Playoffs

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored an early victory in Game 6 of the NLCS when Scott Van Slyke held firm and refused to budge before St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Joe Kelly finally broke his gaze during a tense pregame standoff.

After the national anthem, both men remained standing on the field, transfixed on one another. Exactly why they chose to do so remains up in the air.

It's understandable that even the best players go through their struggles at the plate, but did they really have to choose now?

Why can't everybody be like Justin Verlander? 2013 was actually one of his down years, leading some to believe he couldn't be counted upon as the ace of the Detroit Tigers pitching staff come playoff time.

Those fears have been unwarranted, as Verlander has given up just a single run in 23 postseason innings, striking out at least 10 batters in each of his three starts.

It's impossible to imagine the opening three games of the American League Championship Series playing out any better for the Detroit Tigers. And yet, it's impossible to imagine the outcomes being any worse.

Despite a third straight unequivocally dominant effort by a starting pitcher, the Tigers somehow trail the Boston Red Sox two games to one.

A funny thing has happened in the American League Championship Series that doesn't get talked about enough: Boston’s pitching staff is really, really good. 

The latest evidence of that came in Detroit on Tuesday with John Lackey matching Justin Verlander pitch for pitch over 6.2 shutout innings before giving way to the dynamic bullpen trio of Craig Breslow, Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara. 

Justin Verlander threw six scoreless innings before the Boston Red Sox scored off of this Mike Napoli home run in the top of the seventh inning.

That HR by Napoli broke a 34-inning scoreless streak for Justin Verlander dating back to the regular season. #postseason

The St. Louis Cardinals are an exemplary franchise, but are they on the verge of becoming a dynastic one?

David Freese left Game 3 of the NLCS between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers Monday with a sore right calf muscle.

The Los Angeles Dodgers finally showed some signs of life in the NLCS, as they got back on track with a Game 3 win on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Still down 2-1 in the series, the Dodgers have some work to do as Lance Lynn (15-10, 3.97 ERA) takes the hill for the Cardinals. The Dodgers will counter with Ricky Nolasco (13-11, 3.70 ERA).

It’s difficult to imagine where the St. Louis Cardinals would be without their rookie pitchers.

Between Carlos Martinez, Seth Maness, Trevor Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist and Michael Wacha, the Cardinals' young hurlers have individually and collectively played a crucial role in the team's success this October.

However, one very important name has been absent from the mix: Shelby Miller.

According to baseball writer Peter Gammons, some Boston Red Sox players are upset about Jhonny Peralta's inclusion on Detroit's postseason roster after a 50-game suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis scandal.