Fan News

I am a Philadelphia Phillies fan, so when the playoffs started, I decided that I would hope for either the Pittsburgh Pirates or the Tampa Bay Rays to come away with the championship. You can obviously tell how well that worked out, but the one kind of strange advantage that I have gained is some sense of objectivity regarding the World Series. I don't really have a vested interest in either team.

There is no question that excellent play from their superstars helped both the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox reach the World Series.

Role players, however, have a way of making a big difference during the Fall Classic, and both the Cardinals and Red Sox have plenty of role players who are just waiting for their opportunity to bust out.

For the fourth time in the last decade, the St. Louis Cardinals are in the World Series. They don't know whom they will play, but they have locked up a spot in the Fall Classic.

No matter whom they face, it will be a rematch of one of their recent World Series appearances. The Boston Red Sox swept the Cardinals back in 2004, and St. Louis beat the Detroit Tigers in 2006.

Managing during the regular season and playoffs are two entirely different animals. In the postseason, skippers are constantly faced with contentious situations that not only make or break a game, but also the season.

And while the focus of the playoffs tends to be on stars performing to their regular-season accolades, the decisions managers green light often have a similarly drastic effect on a game’s outcome.

Clayton Kershaw isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season, but the Dodgers don't want to waste any time locking up their ace southpaw.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Saturday that the Dodgers offered Kershaw a contract in the $300 million range during the season:

Clear your schedule for the next two weeks, because the 2013 World Series is right around the corner. 

The annual Fall Classic begins Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. on FOX.

The St. Louis Cardinals will be representing the National League after their 4-2 NLCS win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers are currently locked in a battle in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Top 9th: Red Sox 5, Tigers 2

Note: Hit me up on Twitter @chris_stephens6 with your thoughts and analysis. I will get in as many of your tweets as possible.

The St. Louis Cardinals punched their ticket to the 2013 World Series on Friday night, and the Boston Red Sox will attempt to join them with a win Saturday. The Cards pounded Clayton Kershaw for seven runs in just four innings, while Michael Wacha and two relievers kept the harmless Dodger bats in check. When the assault was done, the Cards were victorious, 9-0. 

The wife of third-year Seattle Mariners outfielder Carlos Peguero is facing federal charges after allegedly making $180,000 in unauthorized purchases on a debit card belonging to the wife of Seattle starting pitcher Felix Hernandez, reports Mike Carter of The Seattle Times.

The Boston Red Sox own a perfect 5-0 record when playing the sixth game of a postseason series at home, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Saturday as they try to eliminate the Detroit Tigers in this best-of-seven series at Fenway Park.