For the first time in the history of baseball all four League Division Series will be go to a pivotal Game 5. Today, the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees will face off to decide who will advance to the ALCS.
Here is the schedule for the Orioles' and Yankees' Game 5 that will take place today, Friday October 12.
First on deck will be the Orioles vs. Yankees game. Obviously, the series is tied 2-2, but what is more amazing and being overshadowed by the magnitude of Game 5 is that both teams are 11-11 against each other. So the winner tonight will decide who wins the 2012 season series of this A.L. East rivals.
Pitching Preview
Game 1 starters CC Sabathia and Jason Hammel take the mound for Game 5. Here are their numbers from their first postseason matchup.
Sabathia: 8.2 IP 8H 2 ER 1 BB 7 Ks
Hammel: 5.2 IP 4 H 2 ER 4BB 5 Ks
Both pitchers held the opposition as Game 1 was a pitchers' dual for most of the game until the Yankees hammered away at the O's in the top of the ninth.
Offensive Woes
Without a doubt, both teams have struggled as of late. One could blame the eagerness of the players wanting to hit homers out to the short porches in Yankee Stadium, but the point is that the pitchers have taken advantage of the hitters as of late. 30 of the 54 outs recorded at Yankee Stadium in Games 3 and 4 have come by strikeouts.
Time & Where to Watch
First pitch is a little after 5 p.m. ET. Check your local listings as TBS will televise the game.
You can also check out the live stream, which is free online in case you are not at home.
This is a must watch game, not only for baseball fans, but for sports fans in general.
