The Tigers just need to win one of the next four games to advance to the World Series. CC Sabathia will try to stop them on Thursday as he faces Max Scherzer. CC pitched lights out against Baltimore, giving up just three runs in 17 2/3 innings, good vor a 1.53 ERA. He gave up 22 HR in the regular season, a single season high for him, but has not allowed a ball to leave the park this October. Due to the rainout, CC won’t start game seven, meaning the Yankees only get to use their ace once. That would change if a) the Yankees can win some games, and b) there is another rainout.

Scherzer pitched well against Oakland, walking one and striking out eight. The A’s wore him out early, however, as he threw 91 pitches and left in the sixth. The Yankees should try to work his pitch count up the same way.

The Giants try to even the series with the Cardinals as Tim Lincecum faces his old Cy Young rival Adam Wainwright. Both had off years in comparison to their former greatness, Wainwright recovering from Tommy John surgery, Lincecum, losing his control for the second year in a row. Tim used to hit the strike zone about 48-49% of the time. The last two seasons it’s been around 45%. Batters are slightly better at laying off those pitches as well. He’s been better in the post-season, however, walking one and striking out nine in 8 1/3 innings.

Wainwright walked three and struck out 15 in eight innings this post-season, but his last 2 1/2 against Washington included three home runs. He did pitch to a lower ERA at home this season, despite allowing 10 of his 15 homer at Busch Stadium.

Enjoy!