It’s all baseball, all afternoon and evening on Friday. Cole Hamels and Marcus Stroman get the day started as Texas tries to take two from Toronto. Hamels makes his first post-season appearance since 2011. Overall, Hamels pitches well in the post-season, with high strikeouts, low walks, and a 3.09 ERA. Stroman makes his post-season debut. He allowed just one run in 14 innings at Skydome in his abbreviated regular season.

Scott Kazmir and Johnny Cueto take the mound three hours later as the Astros and Royals play game two of their ALDS. Kazmir has had his problems in the post-season, walking 26 batters in 36 1/3 innings. Cueto’s ERA went up over two runs moving from the NL to the AL. His strikeouts dropped and his home runs rose. I almost wonder if he’s pitching through an injury.

It’s the Jo(h)n show in St. Louis as former teammates Jon Lester and John Lackey square off as the Cubs start their series with the Cardinals. Lester improved as the season progressed, getting his walks and home runs under control after the all-star break. He got little support when facing St. Louis this season, going 1-3 with a 2.59 against the Cardinals. He did allow five unearned runs. At age 36, Lackey posted the lowest ERA of his career. He held the Cubs to three runs in 21 2/3 innings to help that ERA.

Finally, we get to see if Clayton Kershaw can solve the post season as the Dodgers host the Mets and Jacob deGrom. deGrom’s career is off to a great start. In two seasons he is 23-14 with a 2.61 ERA in 331 1/3 innings. He’s struck out 349 batters in that time. Kershaw owns a 5.12 ERA in 51 innings. His higher home run rate is the big difference.

Enjoy!