The Washington Nationals face a must-win situation today in San Francisco. The Giants won the first two games of their best-of-five National League Divisional playoff series with the Nats in Washington.

After taking the first game 3-2 they won the second, two nights ago, 2-1 in 18 innings. That was the longest playoff game in baseball history. This afternoon the Giants can close out the series with a win on the home turf.

The pitching matchup today has Madison Bumgarner going for the Giants against Doug Fister. Bumgarner, who won 18 games during the regular season, pitched the Giants to a win last Wednesday in the NL Wild Card game. Fister's last outing in San Francisco came in the World Series two years ago when he was pitching for Detroit. He took a shutout into the seventh inning in a game the Tigers lost as they were swept by the Giants. In that game Fister was hit in the head by a line drive but remained in the game.

The Giants are well aware that being up 2-0 in a best-of-five series doesn't mean much. Two years ago they advanced in the playoffs with three straight wins after losing the first two games at home, just like the Nationals.

Game 4, if needed, will be tomorrow night.

Today's other game is being played in St. Louis this evening with the Cardinals facing the Dodgers in Game 3 of their best-of-five series. The Cards won the opening game in Los Angeles 10-9 with the Dodgers coming back to win the second contest 3-2.

The starting pitching tonight features John Lackey for the Cards against Hyun-Jin Ryu (hee-YUHN'-jihn YOO). Lackey was obtained mid-season by the Cards because of his postseason experience. He is a two-time World Champion from his days with Boston. Ryu pitched seven scoreless innings last year to beat the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NL championship series. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 12 because of shoulder inflammation.

The fourth game of the series will be played in St. Louis tomorrow night.

The American League Championship Series will start this Friday in Baltimore as the Orioles will entertain the Kansas city Royals. The O's swept the Tigers in three games while the Royals eliminated the Angels in three as well.

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