This Weekend in Sports: MLB League Championship Series, SEC Football
Major League Baseball's final four continue their trek toward the World Series. Here's what to watch this weekend:
Friday, October 11
NLCS Game 1: Los Angeles at St. Louis
Busch Stadium, St. Louis; 8:37 p.m. (ET) on TBS
After wrapping up their National League Divisional Series with a win over the Pirates in Game 5, the St. Louis Cardinals will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Los Angeles will send Zack Greinke out to duel with a St. louis lineup anchored by Yadier Molina. The Cardinals will send Joe Kelly to the mound against Dodgers hitters Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig and others.
Saturday, October 12
(25) Missouri at (7) Georgia
Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga.; 12 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
The undefeated, 25th-ranked Missouri Tigers (5-0) face a stiff Southeastern Conference challenge from No. 7 Georgia. The Bulldogs will play without wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley and could be without tailback Todd Gurley, which will put added pressure on quarterback Aaron Murray to shine. Missouri is led by quarterback James Franklin, who has thrown 13 touchdown passes this season.
(17) Florida at (10) LSU
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.; 3:30 p.m. (ET) on CBS
Seventeenth-ranked Florida (4-1) puts its undefeated SEC record on the line against No. 10 LSU (5-1). The Gators are led by quarterback Tyler Murphy, while QB Zach Mettenberger and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. pace the Tigers' attack.
(2) Oregon at (16) Washington
Husky Stadium, Seattle; 4 p.m. (ET) on Fox Sports 1
Second-ranked Oregon (5-0) will face its first big test of the season when it travels to Washington on Saturday to play the 16th-ranked Huskies (4-1). Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota and the high-speed Oregon offense will test the conditioning of the Washington defense. Huskies running back Bishop Sankey will be the key to moving—and keeping—the football against the Ducks.
NLCS Game 2: Los Angeles at St. Louis
Busch Stadium, St. Louis; 4:07 p.m. (ET) on TBS
Game 2 of the National League Championship Series between the Cardinals and the Dodgers.
Bank of America 500
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, N.C.; 7:30 p.m. (ET) on ABC
Chase leader Matt Kenseth will be the driver everyone is gunning for at this Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Charlotte. Kenseth leads five-time champ Jimmie Johnson by just three points and third-place Kevin Harvick by 25.
ALCS Game 1: Oakland/Detroit at Boston
Fenway Park, Boston; 8:07 p.m. (ET) on Fox
The Boston Red Sox will host the winner of Thursday night's A's-Tigers game in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. The Red Sox will trot out ace Jon Lester, while David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury anchor the Boston batting order.
Sunday, October 13
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.; 4:25 p.m. (ET) on Fox
MVP-caliber quarterbacks and tight ends abound, as New England (4-1) hosts New Orleans (5-0) on Sunday afternoon. Patriots QB Tom Brady expects to have former Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski back to use against the Saints defense. New Orleans QB Drew Brees has found a favorite target in tight end Jimmy Graham, who has 593 receiving yards and six touchdown catches already this season.
ALCS Game 2: Oakland/Detroit at Boston
Fenway Park, Boston; 8:15 p.m. (ET) on Fox
Game 2 of the American League Championship Series pitting the Boston Red Sox against the winner of the A's-Tigers divisional series.
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Tex.; 8:30 p.m. (ET) on NBC
How weak is the NFC East? Dallas (2-3) is tied for first in the division, and Washington (1-3) is just a half-game out. Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III won't be as mobile as he was in defeating the Cowboys for the NFC's final playoff spot last year. Dallas QB Tony Romo hopes the momentum he gained during last week's 500-yard passing day carries over to this week.