Mlb Playoffs | featured news

Roy Halladay pitched a six-hitter and the Philadelphia Phillies became the first team to reach the playoffs this season with a 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Baseball management is more likely to consider expanded playoffs for 2012 than for next year.

The San Francisco Giants advanced to the World Series by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 on Saturday to clinch the National League Championship Series.

The Texas Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in their 50 years as a franchise by beating the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday to win the American League Championship Series.

Juan Uribe hit a game-ending sacrifice fly off reliever Roy Oswalt with one out in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants moved within one win of the World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 Wednesday night for a 3-1 lead in the NL championship series.

Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano hit consecutive homers to build an early cushion, Sabathia made the lead stand up and the Yankees avoided elimination, beating the Rangers 7-2 Wednesday and closing within 3-2 in the AL championship series.

Cody Ross came through with another key hit this postseason, Matt Cain dazzled to outduel Cole Hamels and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in the NL championship series.

Cliff Lee outdueled Andy Pettitte, striking out 13 and allowing 2 hits over eight innings to give Texas a 2-1 advantage in the American League Championship Series.

Roy Oswalt pitched eight stellar innings against the Giants, pushing the Phillies into a victory that tied the series at 1-1.

After raising expectations with their division series performances, Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum fell short in their encore presentations.