MLB Playoffs: ALCS Game Five, NLCS Game Four, Wednesday 10/20

Hard to believe, perhaps, but in just a few hours, the Yankees could be going home for the winter and the Rangers could be going to the World Series for the first time in their history.

There have, though, been quite a number of teams in recent years that have had a three-games-to-one lead in a league championship series and who did not win. The 2007 Indians, for example. Or the 2004 Yankees, who had a 3-0 lead before it was 3-1.

And another team we are very familiar with. Enough about that. The Yankees have CC Sabathia going today and he's never easy to get through, despite his bad performance in Game One. This series could still go the limit.

As far as the NLCS is concerned, the Phillies are putting a lot of their faith in Joe Blanton, who hasn't been very good the last two postseasons and who will be making his first start since October 3 -- 17 days ago. The Phillies pretty much have to win today; going down three games to one and having to face Tim Lincecum in Game Five -- even with Roy Halladay on your side -- would not be an easy task.

Now, about the two disputed home run hits last night. It wasn't clear to me that the one that was actually reviewed was foul, though it was called that way. It looked like the ball might have grazed the foul pole -- appeared to have a slight change of direction. Regarding the one nearly caught by Nelson Cruz, the announcers explained that it wasn't reviewed because there was no fan interference called on the field. But isn't this exactly what review is for? It did look like the ball was in the seats; it hit the top of the wall, though as Jon Miller helpfully pointed out on ESPN radio, there's no yellow line on that wall. Once the ball is actually in the seats, it's fair game.

3 pm CDT, TBS: Rangers at Yankees. Rangers lead series 3-1. Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling and John Smoltz.

MLB.com Gameday for ALCS Game Five

SB Nation game preview for ALCS Game Five

7 pm CDT, Fox: Phillies at Giants. Giants lead series 2-1. Announcers: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

MLB.com Gameday for NLCS Game Four

SB Nation game preview for NLCS Game Four

Discuss amongst yourselves.