Yankees 10, Tigers 1: Bases loaded, two out in the bottom of the first inning. AJ Burnett was already looking shaky on the mound. An early deficit could have ended the Yankees’ season. Don Kelly of Detroit mashed a line drive to center. Curtis Granderson took a step in, then began racing back and soared to make a dazzling catch to end the inning. If the ball goes over his head, you’re looking at a bases-clearing triple or possibly an inside-the-park homer (Kelly’s fast). Staked to an early lead like that, I think the Tigers coast to victory.

Whew.

Two innings later, Derek Jeter ripped a two-run double, and the Yankees never looked back. A-Rod, Russell Martin, Brett Gardner and Jesus Montero all had two hits. Granderson made another ridiculous catch in center to avoid trouble with the Yanks up 4-1. And AJ Burnett was … pretty damn good. He scattered four hits, gave up a homer to Victor Martinez, and got the win. Of course, this means he’ll shit the bed in his next start in the ALCS, but let’s worry about that later.

Where you at, Jose Valverde?

Rangers 4, Rays 3: Adrian Beltre juiced three out of the yard and the Rangers are going back to the ALCS. Yes, I think we’ve seen Tampa’s ceiling.

Philadelphia 3, St. Louis 2: Ben Francisco launched a three-run homer and the Phillies, despite a few sketchy moments from the bullpen in the last three innings, took a 2-1 series lead on that fraud Tony LaRussa. Here’s video of the Francisco homer. I liked Dick Stockton in the 80s, but what is he doing still calling baseball games? It’s like he wasn’t certain if this was a homer or not.

Arizona 8, Milwaukee 1: The Wildcats Cardinals Diamondbacks rode a grand slam from some guy named Paul Goldschmidt to victory. Is anyone paying attention to this series? At all? I don’t think I’ve seen one pitch live so far through three games. The Brewers will win it regardless of what happens in game four. I’m looking forward to Brewers-Phillies, though.