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The Best Pictures From MLB's Playoffs (So Far)

What, you didn't see this coming? The Kansas City Royals are World Series-bound. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
What, you didn't see this coming? The Kansas City Royals are World Series-bound. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball’s postseason can be counted on to provide original drama, unexpected heroics and a surprise upset or two. This year has been no exception. Here’s our photo-centric recap of the action thus far:

Wild Card Games

Pre-game ceremonies were in full swing for the Royals' first postseason game in 29 years on Sept. 30. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The scene in Kansas City before the Royals' first postseason game in 29 years. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

In the American League, the Kansas City Royals hosted the Oakland A’s. The A’s were trying to recover from a second-half meltdown. Meanwhile the Royals, by virtue of simply making the postseason for the first time since 1985, already had plenty to be happy about. After a wild, 12-inning game, the Royals walked off as winners.

In Pittsburgh, fans giddily anticipated the Pirates' first back-to-back playoff appearance since 1991-92. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Fans celebrated the Pirates' first back-to-back playoff appearance since 1991-92. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, in the National League Wild Card game, the San Francisco Giants visited the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates' faithful, while no doubt enthused about the team's second straight playoff appearance, had to watch the Buccos fall to Madison Bumgarner and the Giants, who won 8-0.

The Giants cruised in the NL Wild Card game thanks to Madison Bumgarner's complete-game shut-out. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Giants cruised thanks to Madison Bumgarner's complete-game shutout. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Divisional Series

Bryce Harper smacked a solo home run in Game 4, but his Nationals still fell to the Giants in the NLDS. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Bryce Harper hit a homer in Game 4 of the NLDS, but his Nationals fell to the Giants. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Royals swept the Los Angeles Angels, owners of baseball's best regular season record, while the Giants were able to eliminate the Washington Nationals — the NL's best regular season team — in four games. So much for the importance of the regular season, huh?

Busch Stadium in St. Louis is no stranger to postseason baseball -- the Cardinals have been in the playoffs 11 times since 2000. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Busch Stadium in St. Louis is no stranger to postseason baseball -- the Cardinals have been to the playoffs 11 times since 2000. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

In the other NL divisional round matchup, the St. Louis Cardinals dispatched the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games. After that defeat, perhaps the Dodgers would agree that the Cardinals are the league's most hateable team this postseason. In the AL, the Baltimore Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers, ensuring that Detroit's 30-year championship drought will not end this autumn.

(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Don't let this tranquil scene fool you -- Tigers fans are no doubt frustrated after another premature postseason exit. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Championship Series

Mike Moustakas' highlight-reel catch helped the Royals take game three of the ALCS. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Mike Moustakas' highlight-reel catch helped the Royals take Game 3 of the ALCS. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

After sweeping Baltimore in the ALCS, the Royals are attempting to become only the sixth wild-card team to win the World Series since the playoffs were expanded in 1995. The Royals have yet to lose a game in the playoffs: they won their wild card game and then took seven straight from the Angels and Orioles.

What's more, Royals skipper Ned Yost is now the first manager in baseball history to win his first eight postseason games. Perhaps the only thing that can stunt Kansas City's momentum is the wait for the World Series to begin — the Royals will host Game 1 on Oct. 21.

Manager Buck Showalter is searching for answers with his Orioles facing elimination in the ALCS. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is left searching for answers after the O's were swept out of the ALCS. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

In the NLCS, an unstoppable force (the Giants, recent playoff behemoths in even-numbered years) meets an immovable object (the Cardinals, appearing in their fourth consecutive NLCS). Bill Littlefield spoke with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian last week to preview the series.

The Giants won Game 3 of the NLCS on a rare walk-off error. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Giants won Game 3 of the NLCS on a rare walk-off error. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

More MLB Playoff Coverage:

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