NLDS Game 5: Chris Carpenter 1, Philadelphia Phillies 0

Let the keyword searches for "Shirtless Chris Carpenter" commence. (Thank you Nick Punto). It's amazing what seeing a man's abs can do for a girl...as if tossing a three-hit, complete game shutout to carry your team to the National League Championship Series in a must-win Game 5 isn't sexy enough.

Carpenter was out of control. Lights out. In command. Determined to pitch that entire game, and probably thrilled as hell that his teammates managed even one run off his offseason fishing buddy Roy Halladay.

Tonight's Badass NLCS Pitching Matchup

Tuesday night has yet another pitchers duel in store for baseball fans.

With the NLCS tied up at a game a-piece, Matt Cain will take the hill against Cole Hamels for Game 3 at 4:19pm ET this evening at AT&T Park, where a sell-out crowd will furiously wave their towels and sing their version of Don't Stop Believing in search of their first pennant since they cheered for Barry Bonds eight years ago.

Tonight's Badass ALCS Pitching Matchup

Lovers of pitching are in for yet another treat this evening with a ridiculous matchup of lefties: Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee will get the ball against postseason workhorse Andy Pettitte for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Bad. Ass.

With the best-of-seven ALCS evened up at a game a-piece, the two hurlers will likely be the stars of another sure-to-be pitchers duel. What happens when two seemingly-unbeatable guys meet on the mound? Well, someone has to win and someone has to lose. That's just how baseball works.

Tonight's Badass NLCS Pitching Matchup

If you thought Tuesday night's pitching matchup between David Price and Cliff Lee in the deciding game 5 of the ALDS, in which the Texas Rangers emerged victorious over the Tampa Bay Rays, prepare to be dazzled by Game 1 of the NLCS. If you love pitching, this game is for you.

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum will take the hill at Citizen's Bank Park against Philadelphia Phillies gunslinger Roy Halladay at 7:30pm tonight.

Tonight's Badass ALDS Pitching Matchup

Oh boy are we in for a treat.

Down 2-0 after dropping the first two games of the ALDS at home, the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays bounced back to take the next two from the Texas Rangers on the road in Arlington. Tuesday night at 8pm ET, they'll play Game 5 at Tropicana Field, deciding who will play the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

Cliff Lee, who is 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in six career postseason starts, will get the ball for Texas with the full intention of finishing what he started in his fantastic Game 1 performance.

Jose Bautista Launches No. 50, 51, 52

On a historic day for Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners, Jose Bautista had to go and steal the thunder at the Rogers Centre, not to mention spoil an outstanding pitching performance by an American League Cy Young candidate.

That's just how he rolls.

The Toronto Blue Jays slugger crushed a 2-1 fastball over the left field wall off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez for his 50th home run of the season. This not only gave his team a 1-0 lead, but proved to be the only run of what turned out to be quite a pitcher's duel.

While King Feliz allowed just two hits and a run throughout his complete game, the Mariners couldn't manage to string anything together off Shawn Hill and four Toronto relievers.

Giants vs. Phillies: What a Game

Pitcher's duels are so great.

Picture this... youngster Tim Lincecum: verified strike-out machine and freak of nature vs. Pedro Martinez: future Hall of Famer in vintage form. That's exactly what the world got Thursday night.

Pedro tossed seven impressive innings, fanning a season-high nine batters in his fifth start since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies during the All-Star break. The old school righty surrendered one run and five hits, didn't walk a soul, and threw just 87 pitches in his longest outing since last August with the New York Mets.

Brandon Webb vs. Tim Lincecum

Congratulations to Brandon Webb for posting his 1,000th career strikeout on his first K of the game Saturday during the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 victory over fellow ace Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants.

Webb fanned eight and allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings for his third straight decision and 14th win, which leads the majors. Still rolling.