MLB Playoff Schedule 2014: Key Dates for Divisional Series Matchups

No matter which teams are playing in the American League and National League Division Series, all four matchups are certain to be entertaining.

The Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals have clinched home-field advantage in their respective leagues, but that does not always guarantee success at this level. With plenty of talented teams ready to challenge for a World Series title, anything can happen over the next few weeks.

Fortunately, fans will get to enjoy every step of the way in a round that can see great seasons come to an end in just three games. 

Here is a look at the NLDS and ALDS schedules, with times to be determined at a later date. You can view the complete schedule at MLB.com.

Game No.	Date	TV
1	Thursday, October 2	TBS
2	Friday, October 3	TBS
3	Sunday, October 5	TBS
4*	Monday, October 6	TBS
5*	Wednesday, October 8	TBS

Game No.	Date	TV
1	Friday, October 3	FS1
2	Saturday, October 4	FS1 or MLBN
3	Monday, October 6	FS1 or MLBN
4*	Tuesday, October 7	FS1
5*	Thursday, October 9	FS1

Top Teams to Watch

Los Angeles Angels

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The team with the best record in baseball is a clear favorite to take home the World Series crown, especially with a lineup that is simply terrifying for opposing pitchers.

Mike Trout is actually having a down year based on the numbers he has provided in his first few seasons in the majors, but he should still win the AL MVP award, as Jon Morosi of Fox Sports pointed out:

Meanwhile, Albert Pujols is back to his dominant self, as he reached 100 RBI for the 12th time in his 14-year career (he totaled 99 in one of those other seasons).

The squad doesn't lead the majors in batting average or home runs, but it does well enough at each to lead the majors in runs scored throughout an impressive season. Although the pitching staff has been a bit inconsistent, the offensive production should be enough to help this team make a deep run in the playoffs.

Washington Nationals

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

The Nationals got off to a bit of a slow start this season but are peaking at the right time. Richard Justice of MLB.com provides a look at how well the team has played in all phases as of late:

Of course, the strength of the team is the rotation, which features five members who could potentially be aces on other teams around the league. The pitching has been so good that manager Matt Williams does not know what he will do when the rotation drops to four for the playoffs.

According to James Wagner of The Washington Post, Williams recently explained:

"

When they go out there, they compete.

It makes for tough decisions but those are good, tough decisions. You would not want that decision made for you this time of year. You want to be able to say, ‘Boy this is a hard one.’ That’s a good thing for us. They’re all pitching really well.

"

It seems you really cannot go wrong with Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister and Tanner Roark.

With a lineup that can light up the scoreboard with the long ball, this team will be tough to beat.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

With the New York Yankees watching from home, the Dodgers will have the highest team salary in the playoffs. This has helped create one of the most balanced teams in the majors.

Los Angeles ranks third in the majors in batting average thanks to seven different players with at least 25 at-bats hitting above .280. One person who does not have this high of a batting average, Adrian Gonzalez, makes up for it with his ability to hit it out of the park at any moment.

However, the team's best weapon is undoubtedly Clayton Kershaw, who has cemented himself as the best pitcher in baseball. Adnan Virk of ESPN noted that the player has accomplished something no one has done in a long time:

The Dodgers should be favored against anyone in games when Kershaw is on the mound, which could make a serious difference, especially in early rounds.

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