MLB Playoff Schedule and TV Coverage 2011

After a dramatic wildcard race finish in the American League that paved the way for the Tampa Bay Rays to catch the Boston Red Sox, the MLB playoff starts today with the Rays facing the Texas Rangers in the American League.

In the month of September, Tampa Bay pulled off a nine game deficit in the hands of Red Sox that shocked the baseball fans. Everybody thought that Red Sox will go all the way to the World Series as they topped the American League until the collapse in September.

Rays seized that opportunity as they sneaked in to be in the playoff in the MLB. Rays vs Rangers is a first round rematch that will eventually be a classic again. With the resiliency of the Rays as the second lowest payroll with $42 million while the Rangers have $92 million cost, it is clear to say that Rangers maintain a great roster just to win the World Series while the Rays may be happy to be here. Rays vs Rangers playoff schedule starts on Friday.

Another game in the American League is the Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees. Of course everytime we talk about the Yankees, it is all about how much this team is built with $200 million cost of the payroll. Yankees this time around seek to be in the world series but they have to face Detroit Tigers in the first round at 8:30 PM Friday.

Meanwhile, the MLB playoff schedule in the National League starts as Arizona Diamondbacks will face Milwaukee Brewers at 2:00 PM ET. Also St Louis Cardinals vs Philadelphia Phillies will play next at 5:00 PM ET.

Philadelphia is the favorite to win the National League because of the caliber rotation in the pitching area. However, we all know that St Louis Cardinals will always be a threat and this can be an upset.

To end the Saturday, Rays will meet the Rangers for Game 2 at 7:00 PM. As for the MLB Playoff television coverage, all games will be aired on TBS except the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers on Saturday which will be on TNT.

Here’s the MLB Playoff Schedule in the next four days.

Friday
5.00pm — Rays – Rangers (Game 1)
8.30pm — Tigers – Yankees (Game 1)

Saturday
2.00pm — Diamondbacks – Brewers (Game 1)
5.00pm — Cardinals – Phillies (Game 1)
7.00pm — Rays – Rangers (Game 2)
8.00pm — Tigers – Yankees (Game 2)

Sunday
4.30pm — Diamondbacks – Brewers (Game 2)
8.00pm — Cardinals – Phillies (Game 2)

Monday
5.00pm — Rays – Rangers (Game 3)
8.30pm — Tigers – Yankees (Game 3)

Which team do you think will come out in the American League? How about in the National League?