Travis Ishikawa hit a game-winning, three-run homer off Michael Wacha in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-3, in San Francisco on Thursday night to win Game 5 of the National League Championship Series and advance to the World Series for the third time in five years.
Buster Posey drove in three runs and the San Francisco Giants took advantage of some clunky defense by St. Louis first baseman Matt Adams, beating the Cardinals 6-4 on Wednesday night to move within one victory of the World Series.
Kansas City can finish off its best-of-seven American League Championship Series with the Orioles this afternoon. The Royals took a 3-0 lead in the series yesterday with a 2-1 win. The Royals, who are looking for their first trip to the World Series in 29 years, have won seven straight postseason games this year.
After rain washed out Game 3 of the American League Championship Series in Kansas City, the Royals and Baltimore are set to try again tonight at Kauffman stadium.
The St. Louis Cardinals shelled Madison Bumgarner the first time they faced him in the National League playoffs before last night, torching him for six runs in three 2/3 innings during the 2012 division series. Bumgarner turned the tables on the Redbirds Saturday while leading the Giants to victory in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
Two familiar franchises battle in the National League Championship Series, and two upstart teams clash in the American League Championship Series. Here's a preview of both matchups:
The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals will meet in the National League Championship Series for the second time in three years beginning on Saturday. Here's a recap of Tuesday's action: