ST. LOUIS - Remember all the talk about the vast difference in playoff experience in this National League Division Series? How the Cardinals had an edge over the Nationals because they'd been through all this before? How the Nats might be affected in big spots because of the added pressure that comes with late-inning, playoff situations? "It obviously didn't affect us," reliever Ryan Mattheus said after today's 3-2 Nationals win. Nope, it sure didn't. That isn't to say that experience...

In the postseason, the highs are higher, the lows are lower. Like Tom Boswell said in his Sunday morning column, the playoffs are the "myocardial infarction games," a Tilt-a-Whirl ride that seesaws the emotions up, down and all around. True to form, when Jayson Werth came to bat in the first inning of the first playoff game ever in Nationals history, the hearts of the collective fan base were beating about 200 strokes per minute. Then Ian Desmond got the first base hit in the second inning...

The crowd erupted for the first time tonight when the first chords of "Sweet Home Alabama" were heard over the PA system. The next ovation came when three members of the grounds crew walked onto the field with brooms to sweep away puddles on the warning track, which was followed by a "Let's Go O's" chant. Yeah, the fans are fired up for the first playoff game at Camden Yards in 15 years. The rain delay lasted 2 hours, 26 minutes, but it couldn't dampen their enthusiasm. They don't...

ST. LOUIS - Where to begin? The Nationals took us all on a ride this afternoon, battling their way to a 3-2 win over the Cardinals in Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series, despite seven walks from starter Gio Gonzalez, 10 runners left on base, two errors and 13 strikeouts as an offense. This game was bizarre as could be. It all started with Gonzalez, who somehow allowed only one hit despite completely lacking control of his fastball. The Nationals ace had perhaps his...

After winning Game 1 in St. Louis 3-2, the Nationals now have three of the next four games in the series at home. Of course, Game 4 and Game 5 are if necessary. Trailing 2-1 after five innings, the Nationals found a way to get to a bullpen that had allowed more than one earned run just once in the last 14 postseason games. Well, that streak reached 14 of 15, but they still allowed two runs. And the Nationals' bench, another one of the team's many strengths, came through with the game's...

ST. LOUIS - These inexperienced Nationals seem to be faring just fine, huh? A half-inning after Ryan Mattheus gets out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with just two pitches in his first career postseason appearance, pinch-hitter Tyler Moore delivers a two-out, two-run, go-ahead single in his first ever playoff at-bat. Mercy. Moore got to a 2-2 count against Cardinals lefty Marc Rzepczynski, got a fastball down in the zone and dropped it into right field. Michael Morse and Ian Desmond came...

Tonight's live blog: Our live blog for Game 1 of the American League Division Series is under way. Please check back here often tonight for updates, but I also hope to see a lot of comments from fans and readers. Post often your thoughts on this game and series. Ask any O's questions you have. Start leaving comments right now if you have one. Some O's playoff history: The Orioles have never lost an American League Division Series. OK, they have only played in two of them, but they beat...

ST. LOUIS - In Gio Gonzalez's first two innings, he threw 55 pitches, only 27 for strikes. He walked five and allowed two runs. Over his next two innings of work, Gonzalez threw 28 pitches, 19 for strikes. He was able to settle down, get ahead in the count and pound the strike zone. Gonzalez faced the minimum over his third and fourth innings of work, allowing only a David Freese groundball single through the hole, which was quickly erased by a nicely turned 6-4-3 double play. Gonzalez is...

Confirmation on the Orioles' Game 2 starter came earlier today when reporters were notified via e-mail that Wei-Yin Chen would be available in the interview room following manager Buck Showalter, who indicated yesterday that the Taiwanese left-hander would likely get the assignment. Another rookie, Miguel Gonzalez, will start Game 3 Tuesday in New York. Chen hasn't pitched since Monday, which isn't a bad thing. He's posted a 2.28 ERA in four starts while working on six-plus days rest. He...

Let me begin this entry by posting the Yankees lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series. And this is the correct version. I promise. Derek Jeter SS Ichiro Suzuki LF Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Nick Swisher RF Mark Teixeira 1B Curtis Granderson CF Russell Martin C Raul Ibanez DH CC Sabathia LHP Manager Buck Showalter had to make some hard decisions with his Division Series roster. He kept Tommy Hunter and Joe Saunders as potential long men in the bullpen, though...