:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/732375/20120925_kkt_av3_544.0.jpg)
The MLB playoffs begin Friday night, and while the Washington Nationals can sit at home and watch, their eventual first-round opponent will be decided in the National League Wild Card game.
The Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals play one game to decide who will move on to the NLDS. The Braves were a considerably better team during the regular season, winning six more games than the Cards, and as such they have home field advantage. They also employ Kris Medlen, who is 10-1 on the season with a 1.57 ERA. While St. Louis' Kyle Lohse is nothing to scoff at, the Braves have the advantage over the defending World Series champions. The later game pits the Baltimore Orioles against the Texas Rangers, a pair of 93-win teams fighting for the right to play the Yankees in the ALDS.
Both games will be broadcast on TBS, as well as MLB's Postseason.TV, which will provide a stream plus additional features of both Wild Card games, Division Series, and the ALCS for $5.00. The service is available on computers as well as iOS and Android devices.
The NL Wild Card game will begin at 5 p.m. ET, with the AL's expected first pitch at 8:30 p.m. ET.