Young Michael Wacha continues to shine for the Cardinals, this time defeating Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, 1 – 0, in Game 2 of the NLCS. The only runs scores in the 5th on a double by David Freese, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Jon Jay.

Anibal Sanchez becomes the second person in postseason history to strike out four batters in an inning when he whiffs Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino (who gets on base on a passed ball), David Ortiz, and Mike Napoli in the first frame of Detroit’s 1-0 ALCS victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 29 year-old right-hander, who matches Cubs right-hander Orval Overall’s total in Game 5 of the 1908 Fall Classic, is also the first Tiger hurler to accomplish the feat in franchise history, including the regular season.

For the first time in baseball history, two playoff games on the same day end with the score of 1-0. In Game One of the ALCS, the Tigers blank Boston at Fenway Park with the contest’s lone run scoring on Jhonny Peralta’s sac fly in the sixth, and Jon Jay’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly at Busch Stadium provides the only tally the Cardinals will need to take a 2-0 game advantage to Los Angeles in the NLCS.

The Cardinals move on to the NLCS with another dramatic comeback, pulling out a 9 – 7 win over the Nationals in Game 5 of the NLDS, after trailing by 6 runs. With St. Louis trailing, 7 – 5, in the top of the 9th, Carlos Beltran hits a lead-off double, but Drew Storen retires the next two batters; however, Yadier Molina and David Freese both draw walks on full counts and Daniel Descalso hits a shot just off the glove of SS Ian Desmond to tie the game. Pete Kozma follows with a single to score two more runs. Jason Motte then pitches a scoreless bottom of the 9th to give St. Louis another stunning postseason win.

Behind CC Sabathia, the Yankees fight off the pesky Orioles, 3 – 1, in Game 5 of the ALDS. Sabathia allows only 4 hits in a dominant complete game effort. With Alex Rodriguez on the bench, New York scores twice in 6 innings against Jason Hammel, and Curtis Granderson adds a solo homer in the 7th. The Orioles score once in the 8th, but never mount a significant threat against the Yankees’ ace.

The Cardinals beat the Brewers, 4 – 3, to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS. St. Louis jumps to a 4 – 0 lead with three doubles against Yovani Gallardo in the bottom of the 1st. But Cards starter Chris Carpenter also struggles. giving back three of the runs over the next two frames and leaves after five innings. However, he is helped by a strong bullpen performance, with Jason Motte getting the save as no other runs are scored after the early fireworks.

The Chicago Cubs agree on a five-year contract with Theo Epstein to be their new team President. Epstein built the Boston Red Sox team that won two World Series in 2004 and 2007, but was shaken by the team’s brutal September collapse this season, following manager Terry Francona’s departure by a few days. The deal won’t be made official for another two weeks, and Boston and Chicago will need to agree on compensation as Epstein still has a year to go on his contract.

The Rangers, behind the complete-game effort by Cliff Lee, beat Tampa Bay, 5-1, in the decisive Game 5 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field for the team’s first playoff series victory in franchise history, the last major league club to accomplish the task. Texas, who will take on the Yankees for the AL flag, lost their three previous playoff appearances with first-round losses to the Bronx Bombers in 1996 and 1998-99.

The Cubs file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Wilmington, Delaware. The anticipated short-term move will allow the club’s owner, the Tribune Company, to sell the team in an $845 million deal to the family of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.’s founder, Joe Ricketts.