>>Giants Dump Pirates In NL Wild Card Game

(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Madison Bumgarner couldn't be touched as the Giants defeated the Pirates 8-0 in the National League Wild Card Game at PNC Park. Bumgarner tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts to send San Francisco to the NLDS against the Nationals starting on Friday in Washington, D.C. Brandon Crawford's grand slam off Edinson Volquez in the fourth inning was all the offense the Giants would need. Brandon Belt added in two hits and three RBI. Volquez took the loss for the Pirates, allowing five runs in five-plus innings. Josh Harrison had two of Pittsburgh's four hits.

>>Tigers, Orioles Begin ALDS Tonight

(Baltimore, MD) -- The Detroit Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles in Game One of their American League Division Series tonight at Camden Yards. Max Scherzer [[ SURE-zer ]] starts for the AL Central champs, while the AL East winners counter with Chris Tillman. Scherzer went 18-and-5 with a 3.15 ERA during the regular season, while Tillman was 13-and-6 with a 3.34 ERA. Scherzer has not faced the O's this year, while Tillman pitched eight and a third innings of one-run ball to get the win in a 3-1 victory at Detroit back in April. That was Baltimore's only win in six meetings this season with Detroit. The Tigers have won four straight division titles, while the Orioles are in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Detroit last won a World Series in 1984, while Baltimore's last championship came the year before in 1983.

>>Royals, Angels Begin ALDS Tonight

(Anaheim, CA) -- The Kansas City Royals square off against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tonight in Game One of their American League Division Series at Angel Stadium. The Royals are coming off an emotionally draining 9-8, 12-inning comeback win over the A's in the AL Wild Card game to advance. They will start former Angel Jason Vargas in the series opener, while LA counters with ace Jered Weaver. Vargas faced the Angels twice during the regular season, but got a no-decision each time. Weaver did not start against Kansas City this year as the teams split six regular-season meetings. The Royals are in the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 1985. The Angels had the best record in the majors this year. Their lone championship came in 2002.

>>Royals Name Vargas ALDS Game One Starter

(Anaheim, CA) -- The Kansas City Royals will start left-hander Jason Vargas against the Angels in Game One of their American League Division Series in Anaheim. The teams begin the best-of-five series tonight at the "Big A." Vargas will make his first career postseason start for the Royals, who rallied for a wild 9-8, 12-inning win over the A's in the AL Wild Card game Tuesday in Kansas City. The 31-year-old southpaw went 11-and-10 with a 3.71 ERA during the regular season. He pitched for the Angels last season. The Halos, who had the best record in the American League this year, will counter with Jered Weaver.

>>Royals Name Vargas ALDS Game One Starter

(Anaheim, CA) -- The Kansas City Royals will start left-hander Jason Vargas against the Angels in Game One of their American League Division Series in Anaheim. The teams begin the best-of-five series tonight at the "Big A." Vargas will make his first career postseason start for the Royals, who rallied for a wild 9-8, 12-inning win over the A's in the AL Wild Card game Tuesday in Kansas City. The 31-year-old southpaw went 11-and-10 with a 3.71 ERA during the regular season. He pitched for the Angels last season. The Halos, who had the best record in the American League this year, will counter with Jered Weaver.

>>Molitor To Interview For Twins Managerial Job

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is in the mix to be the next manager of the Minnesota Twins. The "Star-Tribune" reports "Molly" is expected to interview for the vacant post after longtime manager Ron Gardenhire was fired on Monday after 13 seasons. Molitor spent the final three years of his 21-year big league career with the Twins and was added to the coaching staff late last season. Molitor was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

>>D'backs Announce Managerial Candidates

(Phoenix, AZ) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks are narrowing their search for the team's next manager. The D'backs took to Twitter to announce seven confirmed candidates for the vacant skipper's position. The Snakes have named Sandy Alomar Jr., Jay Bell, Andy Green, Phil Nevin, Jim Tracy and Turner Ward as candidates to replace the fired Kirk Gibson. Additional candidates will join the list once permission is granted by their current team.