The MLB postseason games are already proving to be better than anyone had expected, with no real sweeping performances by any team.  As the pressure builds, there will be even more exciting action and all teams are showing that they’re ready to do whatever they have to do to put the runs on the board.  At this point, the gloves are off and anything goes.

The LA Dodgers and the Washington Nationals have proven to be a tight matchup.  The Dodgers got off to a good start, but the Nationals weren’t ready to be dismissed.  They evened the score in Game 2 last Friday, at the expense of Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer, leaving them short in Game 3.  If the Nationals plan on advancing any further, tonight has to bring a victory.  Otherwise, they’ll be dead in the water and looking at what to do next year to turn things around.

That’s going to be difficult against the team that has dominated the National League this year and the Dodgers are not known for giving up easily.  They won nine more games than did their closest rival and have a run differential of over 100 runs better than any other NL team.

However, the Nationals aren’t afraid.  They, too, have had an incredible year.  Their run differential is the second best in the NL, thanks primarily to superior hitting, and the bullpen, although weak at times, has helped shore things up.  The team will come out strong, and should be able to keep its momentum going throughout the game.  The squad is -133 for the win with an over/under of 8.5 and is expected to walk away victorious, setting the stage for a Game 5.

The Minnesota Twins are desperate for a win tonight against the New York Yankees.  Already down by two games, anything less than a stellar performance tonight will have the team packing up and sulking during an extended down period.  If Jake Odorizzi can find his groove for the Twins tonight, the team has a fighting chance.  It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in baseball.  Since Odorizzi has had an extended break, not having pitched since September 24, he should be well-rested.

The Yankees have been providing a strong offense all season and this has showed during the current postseason games, as well.  Across the first two games against the Twins, they outscored their opponents 18-6 and should be able to keep things going.  However, both teams have had incredible runs – the Twins set a major-league record with 307 home runs and the Yankees were just one behind – and this means that the Yankees can’t afford to ease up.

The Yankees, however, have only allowed one earned run in 8.1 innings.  They also have a solid record against the Twins, having swept the team three times in the American League Division Series.  There’s little doubt that the Yankees are about to do it again, which is why their money line is at -140 and the over/under is at 9.  As much as the Twins are going to fight, the Yankees offense is going to prove to be too much.