It always amazes me when pitchers start an elimination game and don't wing the first six pitches to the backstop before asking the trainer for a Valium. Don't they understand that the whole season is on the line? Every single game, every stupid road trip and plane flight, led to this game. Aren't they nervous? How can they be so calm?

I guess that's why they're at the highest professional level in the world. Yovani Gallardo was impressive in the first inning, allowing only a walk to Justin Upton before striking out Miguel Montero looking on a perfect pitch.

Kennedy might have been more impressive, though. He allowed a two-out hit to Ryan Braun, but it looked like he had pinpoint control. When he missed, he made the umpire flinch. For his last out of the inning, he struck out Prince Fielder

Too early to tell, but my money's on a 1-0 score in the seventh inning, or something like it. Plenty of time for that prediction to look stupid, but both pitchers look outstanding. More so than usual, even.