2011 MLB Playoff Schedule: Tigers vs. Yankees Lead 3 Heart-Stopping Games

Tonight’s Game 5 between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees will provide a moment that will live up there with past Yankees Playoff memories, such as Reggie Jackson’s three-home-run performance, the Don Drysdale perfect game, and the Aaron Boone walk-off home run.  

There will be a moment that ends the game between the Tigers and Yankees that will have a New York Post cover shot like this one.  

Speaking to reporters, Tigers coach Jim Leyland said, "We got a big game with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It's a great scenario. It's great for baseball. I wish I could tell you what's going to happen, but I don't know." 

The last time the Yankees played in an elimination game at Yankee Stadium—the old one—it was against the Boston Red Sox in 2003, a.k.a., the Brett Boone game.  

After tonight’s heart-stopping game, baseball fans have two more Game 5 elimination games to watch the next night.  

The first game on Friday night is at 5:07 p.m., with an Arizona Diamondbacks team that won two straight games at home to force this Game 5 playing a Milwaukee Brewers team that went 57-24 at home during the regular season.  

The first four games of this series have produced such lasting memories as Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo’s masterful pitching performance in Game 1, followed by Ryan Braun's three-RBI game in Game 2. With the series moving to Arizona for Games 3 and 4, Arizona’s bat came to life, outscoring the Brewers 18-7. 

This sets fans up for an instant classic game in Miller Park, as Game 1 starters Gallardo and Ian Kennedy take the mound again to pitch their teams into the second round.  

After that game ends and either the Brewers or Diamondbacks are celebrating in their locker rooms, the Cardinals and Phillies game's first pitch starts at 8:37 p.m

This playoff series is a classic “David vs. Goliath” matchup, as the Phillies came into this 2011 playoffs with the best record in baseball, playing against a Cardinals team that barley even made the playoffs as a Wild Card.  

Each game in this series, with the exception of Game 1, has been a tight contest, with each team trading the lead. Last night’s game had St. Louis native David Freese bust out with a four-RBI performance, carrying these Cardinals into Game 5.  

The game last night also had the lasting image of Cardinals slugger Albert Puljos possibly playing his last game ever in a St. Louis uniform.  

If his team loses tomorrow night in Philadelphia, he may leave the Cardinals for another team during free agency in the offseason.  

Three games, with all the chances for heart-stopping moments and lasting images that will live on in our memories forever.  

Will there be a new Yankees hero in the Bronx tonight? 

Can the Brewers move onto their first League Championship Series since 1982?  

And is this the last game ever for Albert Puljos with St. Louis? 

Source: NY Daily News-Photo Link

Twitter: @tjmcaloon