Hurray for Game 5

The Twins and A's gave us a great one today. The Braves and Giants have had an odd series, each game being won in a lopsided fashion, but maybe they can redeem it with a decent game five tomorrow. It's Russ Ortiz for the Giants vs. Kevin Millwood for thr Braves. Each pitched well in their start in the series--Ortiz winning the first game Wednesday and Millwood the second on Thursday--, but in each case the opposing pitcher was hit hard. That's kind of been the story in the series (except maybe game 3 in which Schmidt pitched so-so in losing--Aybar, the reliever, was the goat). Let's hope that these two can lock up in a battle since it'll be the only game on tomorrow.

Tuesday, the Angels travel to Minnesota in perhaps the least expected, at least when the season started, pairing in League Championship history. When past surprise teams appeared ('93 Phils, '97 Marlins, '98 Padres, etc.), they had to face well established teams in the LCS (in this case the Braves each time). Even the LCS's that preceded the '91 dual last-to-first Series (Braves and Twins) featured two clubs (Pittsburgh and Toronto) who were in the pennant race the year before. It should be fun. Mays and Appier are scheduled for game 1, but that may change.