2011 MLB Playoff Schedule: Preview and Predictions for Pivotal Game 5s in NL

There are few things in sports as exciting as a winner take all elimination game and baseball fans will be treated to two of them on Friday.

Four teams, two spots in the National League Championship series on the line.

When: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers 5:07 PM EST on TBS

Matchup: Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA) vs. Yovani Gallardo (17-10, 3.52 ERA)

No two teams need home field advantage more than these two. The Brewers went 57-24 in Milwaukee, five games better than any other team. The D-Backs weren’t too far behind at 51-30.

Yet that’s why they play 162 regular season games, and the Brew Crew earned this home game for the pivotal Game 5.

The difference in addition to the home field is Yovani Gallardo.

The Brewers starter has sported a perfect 6-0 record with a 1.18 ERA in six career starts against Arizona. Why should things change now?

The Diamondbacks hit .343 at home compared to .212 at Miller Park.

I expect the D-Backs offense to only muster a run or two and the killer Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder combination drives in just enough runs to spoil a solid bounce-back performance by Kennedy.

Prediction: Brewers 3 D-Backs 2

When: St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies 8:37 PM EST on TBS

Matchup: Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45 ERA) vs.Roy Halladay (19-6, 2.35 ERA)

It's one of the best pitching matchups the sport could offer. Two guys that have loads of postseason experience, Cy Young trophies and a killer instinct going to battle.

Having said that, I think this turns into a shootout.

The Phillies offense teed off on Carpenter in Game 1, and Halladay retired 21 batters in a row.

Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard has yet to really get going offensively aside from one home run and this is the game he finally comes alive.

Yet it’s hard to ignore the fact this might be Albert Pujols’ last game with the Cardinals. The best player of the past decade is not going out with a whimper and after watching the way he played over the last month…this is a man on mission.

With the thought of $300M dancing through his head…somehow, some way Pujols gets the big hit and the Cards shock the mighty Phillies.

Don’t forget this stat courtesy of Stats Inc: Among teams that have played in at least five winner-take-all postseason games, the Cardinals and Twins boast the best win percentage, coming out on top in two-thirds of those games.

Prediction: Cardinals 7 Phillies 6