Daily Baseball Update: 10/6

Postseason Player Profile: Craig Kimbrel
There is no question that Craig Kimbrel is the best closer in baseball.  I might even go as far to say that he is better than Mariano Rivera was in his prime.  He holds a 1.39 career ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 139 saves at the age of 25.  For his career, opponents have batted just .155 against him.  He's blown just 15 saves over his four year career, leaving little doubt of the game's outcome when he enters the picture.  For the postseason, he's allowed just one hit over six appearances, as opponents have batted just .056.  If the Braves want to advance in this postseason, all they have to do is hold a lead through eight and a victory is virtually guaranteed.

News
Managerial notes: The Cubs have fired Dale Sveum, while the Reds parted ways with Dusty Baker.  As we well know, Nationals manager Davey Johnson will not return in 2014.
The A's walked off on a Stephen Vogt single to break a 0-0 tie in the ninth.

Game Scores
Red Sox beat the Rays 7-4.  Red Sox lead series 2-0.
A's beat the Tigers 1-0.  Series tied 1-1.

Postseason Leaders
Offensive: AVG: Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), .556 (5-9).  Home runs: Pedro Alvarez (Pirates), Russell Martin (Pirates), and David Ortiz (Red Sox), 2.  RBI: Pedro Alvarez, Russell Martin, and Hanley Ramirez (Dodgers), 4.  Stolen bases: Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), 2.
Pitching: Wins: 10 tied with 1.  K's: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), 12.  ERA: Sonny Gray (A's), 0.00 (8 shutout innings).  Saves: Joaquin Benoit (Tigers), Craig Kimbrel (Braves), and Koji Uehara (Red Sox), 1.

Top Performers
Offensive: David Ortiz (Red Sox): 2-4, 2 home runs, 2 RBI, 2 runs.
Pitching: Sonny Gray (A's): No decision, 8 shutout innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 9 K's.
Worst Pitching Performance: David Price (Rays): Loss, 7 innings, 7 earned runs, 9 hits, 2 walks, 5 K's.

Today's Probable Starters
NLDS Game 3: Cardinals@Pirates: Joe Kelly (10-5, 2.69 ERA) vs Francisco Liriano (16-8, 3.02 ERA).
NLDS Game 3: Braves@Dodgers: Julio Teheran (14-8, 3.20 ERA) vs Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-8, 3.00 ERA).

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Teams followed in this update: Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers
If your team is not included, please leave a comment.
HR: home runs.  RBI: runs batted in.  AVG: batting average.  SB: stolen bases.  ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched.  K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage
Zack Silverman