Baseball

It's Friday, baby, which is great news on its own, but it's also a Friday with a full slate of MLB postseason games, which basically makes it the best Friday possible.

Rejoice, my friends, and watch baseball all day.

Below, we'll break down the schedule, viewing options and make a few predictions for all the day's action.

Following a tight Wild Card Game, the 2016 National League Division Series is set to kick off Friday with a doubleheader featuring a quartet of legitimate aces.

The Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox are in fairly urgent situations. Both lost their American League Division Series openers and know that dropping a second straight game would not be good for their postseason aspirations.

The Texas Rangers won more games than any other team in the American League this season, but after losing 10-1 at home to the Toronto Blue Jays they suddenly have their backs to the wall. Winning Game 2 of the American League Division Series just became an absolute must, and the Rangers are turning to a pitcher who was just getting hot as the regular season ended.

The National League Division Series field is set after the San Francisco Giants knocked off the New York Mets in the Wild Card Game, setting up the Giants for an NLDS meeting with the Chicago Cubs.

Madison Bumgarner put the Giants on his shoulders once again in the elimination game, twilring a four-hit shutout to improve his already legendary postseason resume.

Now the Giants will have to take on baseball's best team, as the Cubs wrapped up the regular season at 103-58 with a staggerling plus-252 run differential.

Thursday's Game 1s in the American League, which featured some of the most potent offenses in all of MLB, didn't lack the firepower we've come to expect from the the teams that have been doing it all year.

Given the quality of starting pitching in the National League this season, both National League Division Series openers, which will see three of the four teams' aces on the mound, should be high on excitement.

Don’t expect high-scoring affairs. But do expect every ground ball, relay throw and double play to matter.

Such is the case in playoff baseball, where everything is scrutinized. But while every stat will be dissected heading into these games, can you guess what’s most important to each team’s success?

CHICAGO — To understand the psyche of Chicago Cubs fans is not to be a team historian.

Steve Bartman and the Curse of the Billy Goat are integral events in the long-suffering organization's history. As are countless postseason disappointments.

If the Chicago Cubs have their way, 2016 will be the year they finally end a 108-year World Series championship drought and send the Curse of the Billy Goat the way of the Curse of the Bambino.

Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Jon Lester are scheduled to headline a star-studded day of pitching Friday as the two American League Division Series roll on and both National League Division Series get underway after an entertaining first few days of playoff action.