The Cardinals find some unexpected power to defeat the Giants, 5 – 4, in Game 2 of the NLCS and tie the series at a win apiece. The Cards, who hit the fewest home runs in the National League this season, hit four long balls, including a walk-off shot by Kolten Wong to lead off the bottom of the 9th, after Trevor Rosenthal had allowed the Giants to tie the game in the top of the inning.

The Royals take a 2-0 lead in the ALCS with a 6 – 4 win over the Orioles. They break a 4 – 4 tie with two runs in the top of the 9th.

In Game 1 of the NLCS, Madison Bumgarner pitches 7 2/3 scoreless innings to lead the Giants to a 3 – 0 win over the Cardinals. Losing pitcher Adam Wainwright is hurt by a couple of defensive miscues by his infielders.

2014 – The Royals win in extra innings for the fourth time in five postseason games, defeating Baltimore, 8 – 6, in 10 innings, in Game 1 of the ALCS. Alex Gordon hits a solo homer off Darren O’Day to put Kansas City ahead, and Mike Moustakas follows with a two-run shot.

2014 – One day before opening the ALCS against the Royals, the Baltimore Orioles sign SS J.J. Hardy to a three-year contract extension worth $40-million.

2014 – Dan O’Dowd, who had been the general manager of the Colorado Rockies since 1999, resigns from his position. Jeff Bridich is promoted to take his place as only the third GM in team history.

2014 – Both National League Division Series end after four games tonight. In one NLDS, San Francisco defeats Washington, 3 – 2, with the three runs coming on a walk, a ground ball out and a wild pitch. In the other NLDS, the Cardinals again defeat Clayton Kershaw, winning, 3 – 2, on a three-run homer by Matt Adams in the bottom of the 7th.

The Nationals stay alive in the other NLDS with a 4 – 1 win over the Giants in Game 3. Doug Fister pitches 7 scoreless innings and the Nats break through against Madison Bumgarner in the 7th when he fields a bunt by Wilson Ramos and throws the ball into left field, allowing two runs to score.

Uncharacteristically, the Cardinals use the home run ball to defeat the Dodgers, 3 – 1, in Game 3 of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Matt Carpenter hits a solo homer, his third of the series, off Hyun-Jin Ryu in the 3rd, and Kolten Wong hits a two-run shot off Scott Elbert in the 7th for the win.

Both American League Division Series end in three-game sweeps. The Orioles defeat the Tigers, 2 – 1, behind the pitching of Bud Norris and a two-run homer from Nelson Cruz to finish one ALDS sweep, and the Royals pound the Angels, 8 – 3, in the other ALDS. Alex Gordon hits a three-run double and Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas homer, while “Big Game” James Shields confirms the appropriateness of his nickname.