MLB Playoffs 2013: Predicting Winners for Each Wild-Card Game

It took a little more than 162 games to settle the playoff picture, but we now know the participants in each wild-card game. Now, it is time to find out which squads can advance to the divisional series.

Baseball is not a sport that is often decided by just one game, but four teams are in that situation over a two-day period. The winner will be the one who can step up to the occasion in every aspect of the sport. 

Every single pitch will matter in these contests, so take a look to see who will come out on top in this quick round of playoff baseball.

*Watch postseason baseball live on TBS.com or your mobile device.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

When: Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 8:07 p.m. EDT

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Watch: TBS

While Cincinnati comes into this game with the deeper lineup, the players will not get much of a chance to show off their ability against Francisco Liriano.

The veteran pitcher put together an incredible season in his first year in the National League and has been especially impressive at home. At PNC Park, he put together an 8-1 record with a 1.47 ERA.

Additionally, he has been tough on lefties all year, allowing only a .131 batting average and zero home runs over the course of the season. This could take out some of the Reds best hitters in this game.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati will send Johnny Cueto to the mound after only two starts since returning from the disabled list. The pitcher allowed only one earned run in 12 innings in September, but they came against the Houston Astros and the New York Mets, two of bottom five teams in the majors in batting average.

It will be much tougher for him to slow down a Pittsburgh Pirates lineup that can manufacture runs in a number of ways.

Finally, the MLB Twitter account makes a very good point with this tweet:

After not seeing a playoff game since 1992, the Pirates fans will be out in full force to help swing momentum in Pittsburgh's favor. This will be enough to earn a win in the divisional matchup.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians

When: Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 8:07 p.m. EDT

Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

Watch: TBS

The Tampa Bay Rays earned the final wild-card spot thanks to a great pitching performance from David Price against the Texas Rangers. Amazingly, Tampa Bay will send out another young pitcher who had an even better year than Price.

Alex Cobb gets the start against the Cleveland Indians after leading the team's regular starters with a 2.76 ERA. 

However, he will have to try to stop the hottest team in baseball at the end of the season. In fact, the Indians had a historic end to the year, according to Baseball Tonight:

Cleveland has 10 wins in a row, and the offense has scored at least five runs in each of the last seven games. Virtually everyone in the lineup is hitting well at the right time, and the momentum should be able to keep it going for at least a little while longer.

The biggest question mark for the Indians in this game is starting pitcher Danny Salazar. The 23-year-old rookie has only made 10 career starts and will now be asked to perform well in the biggest game of the season.

Terry Francona will likely have his starter on a short leash, though, allowing the bullpen to do what is necessary to come away with the victory at home.

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