Open Thread: Playoffs, Day 1, Game 2 - Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles

Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire

I'd say that this is the game we really care about, but not much could be more exciting/awful than what is going on in the other game, as play has now been suspended due to fans throwing objects on the field in protest of a horrific call that will likely cost the Braves the game.

At several points in the season (okay, the whole, entire season for the Rangers), it looked as if both the Rangers and the Orioles would both be Division winners, and would be exempt from the one-game, winner-take-all Wild Card playoff. Instead, thanks to the red-hot last week of the season for both the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics (that's us!), these teams have found themselves in a do-or-die situation; winner is the Wild Card representative; the loser goes home. I hope what is happening over in Atlanta is a lesson for this game too; in a game of this magnitude, you have to get the calls right. Every time. Enlist more help as necessary.

The Rangers are throwing Yu Darvish against the Orioles' Joe Saunders. I'm not sure the Orioles are overly thrilled with that pick, but it is what it is.

Here are the lineups:

1. Nate McLouth (L) LF

2. J.J. Hardy (R) SS

3. Chris Davis (L) RF

4. Adam Jones (R) CF

5. Matt Wieters (S) C

6. Jim Thome (L) DH

7. Mark Reynolds (R) 1B

8. Ryan Flaherty (L) 2B

9. Manny Machado (R) 3B

1. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B

2. Elvis Andrus (R) SS