Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: NLDS Series & Surprises in the NFL

Each of the four Division Series will be in action today.

This past weekend, for the 1st time the MLB had two Wild Card games to start the postseason. in the NL the St. Louis Cardinals went on the road and defeated the Atlanta Braves, 6-3. While in the AL, the Orioles traveled down to Texas, and thumped the two-time defending AL Champion Rangers, 5 to 1. Well good news, bad news situation. Bad news: Reds blew a gem of a performance from Homer Bailey last night, losing Game 3 of their NLDS series to the SF Giants, 2 to 1 in 10 innings and now have a decision to make on who their starting pitching is going to be in Game 4 this afternoon (4:07, TBS). The Good News? I personally will be in attendance this afternoons Game 4, as the Reds once again try to knock off the SF Giants and advance to the NLCS for the first time since 1995. In the other NLDS series, the Washington Nationals will host the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 (series is tied at a game a piece) of that series (1:07, MLBN). This marks the first playoff game in D.C. in the past 79 years. Both ALDS series will be in action, with the O's/Yankees (7:37, TBS) at Yankee Stadium for Game 3, with the series tied at 1-1, and the Tigers look to try again to knock out the A's in Game 4 (9:37, TNT) after getting shutout in Game 3, 2 to 0 last night. Should be a great day for some playoff baseball, as the Reds & Tigers try to move on, while the Yankees/Nationals look to go up in the series in front of their home fans. Preview for NLDS games

In the NFL, though week 5, there have been a number of surprises so far to this point of the season. The Falcons & Texans are still undefeated at 5-0, while the only remaining winless team are my beloved Brownies. A few surprising teams sit at 4-1: the Vikings, Cardinals, and Bears. While some teams have got off to not so good starts: the Packers (2-3), the Lions (1-3), the Jets (2-3), and Broncos (2-3). Teams with bye weeks this week include: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, and Jacksonville. The Titans host the Steelers on TNF to kickoff what should be a entertaining Week 6 of action in the NFL. Week 6 Games/Previews

Congrats to Saints QB Drew Brees, for setting another record, with his 48-straight
game with at least one passing TD. 

ALDS:

Orioles & Yankees (series tied 1-1)
Tigers & A's (Tigers lead series 2-1)

NLDS:

SF Giants & Reds (Reds lead series 2-1)
St. Louis Cardinals & Nationals (series tied 1-1)

Games to watch this week in the NFL: (Week 6 in the NFL)
Cincinnati at Cleveland, The Browns look for their 1st W vs. their in-state/divisional rivals.
Indianapolis at NY Jets, After an emotional win this past week, can Luck & Co. win in New York?
Dallas at Baltimore, The Cowboys are coming off a bye week, Tony Romo is coming off a 5 INT performance on MNF two weeks ago.
NY Giants at San Francisco, Last seasons NFC Championship Game, should give us a good idea on where each team is at this point of this season.
Green Bay at Houston, Things don't get any better for the 2-3 Packers, as they head down to Houston to face the 5-0 Texans on SNF.
Denver at San Diego, Two great offenses, could be in for a high scoring game, when these two AFC West rivals clash, in a key AFC West matchup.