MLB & NPB: The playoffs continue

Colorado extended their streak to 21 out of 20 by beating the Diamondbacks yesterday 4-1, so they are now just one win away from entering the World Series. And to be honest, although I haven't seen any game of the NLCS so far I think their are a force to be reckoned with. Winning 20 out of 21 is a very impressive number and Boston or Cleveland will have problems when they face the Rockies. Meanwhile in the ALCS the Red Sox and the Indians will continue their series which is tied at 1-1 at Cleveland. Matsuzakla Daisuke will be the starter for Boston and it will be interesting to see how he will do in this situation. From what I've read about his acreer in Japan he was considered to be a "big game pitcher". The higher the pressure, the better the perfomance of Dice-K. He did well against the Indians the last time he played at Jacobs Field, a game in which he pitched a 7 inning shut out, if I remember that right.

On the other side of the Pacific, the playoffs are also in full effect. The Pacific League is entering the 2nd stage of theri Climax Series with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters going up against the Chiba Lotte Marines. Japanese wonderboy Yu darvish started the first game for the fighters and was struggling at first but then stelled in securing the 5-2 win for his team. I have no idea how many ganmes are played in this series, maybe they have one game more than the first stage which was a best of three series.
In the Central League for the first time in their history they are having palyoffs as well. The first Climax Series their is played between the Chunichi Dragons and the Hanshin Tigers. Hanshin completely blew the game losing 7-0. The winner of thios series will face regular season champions Yomiuri Giants, a team considered to be the equivalent of the NEw York Yankees in Japan.
It seems they introduced those playoffs to rise interest in the leagues. Before the playoffs the winners of the Central and the Pacific League played the Japan Series against each other. Now they have playoffs, the Central League introducing them just this year. It's a pity there's no way to watch anything of those matches over here so I have to rely on what's written in some English newspapers from Japan. The Japan Times Online is a good one. And also there's Japan Baseball Daily with all the scores and lots of news.