The San Francisco Giants’ 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the NLCS on Tuesday marked only the eighth postseason game to end on a walk-off error, meaning the past two postseasons have accounted for one-fourth of all playoff games to end in such a fashion.

Though the Giants ultimately won Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on a defensive miscue in the bottom of the 10th inning, a defensive highlight by third baseman Pablo Sandoval in the top-half of the inning may have been every bit as important to the Giants’ 5-4 walk-off victory.

Candlestick Point, this is not. But a stiff wind blowing off China Basin made it an adventurous Tuesday afternoon for right fielders in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, whether you’d played the position at AT&T Park more than 200 times like the Giants’ Hunter Pence, or were standing under the brick, fencing, arches and angles for the very first time like his rookie Cardinals counterpart.

Randy Choate’s sailing throw capped a 10th inning in which the Giants manufactured the winning run on a walk, unsuccessful sacrifice and a bunt that ended up in the Cardinals’ bullpen. It all left the Cards stung by a 5-4 loss at AT&T Park and staring into a 2-1 series hole with two more games still on tap in San Francisco.

That’s twice this postseason the Giants have survived thanks to a wild throw from an opposing pitcher. And that’s four one-run victories out of the six postseason wins they have claimed so far. And the bottom line is that it all comes about because the Giants are playing winning baseball. They are able to take advantage of another team’s mistakes because they are in position for that mistake to make a difference.

Sergio Romo and playoff newcomers Jean Machi and Hunter Strickland each surrendered home runs in relief on Sunday. On Tuesday, manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Romo, but he first turned to his more experienced relief arms. As usual, they didn’t disappoint in Tuesday’s 5-4 walk-off win over the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series.

Billed as a clash of mirror images, finesse teams that win with pitching, execution, intelligence and heart, the National League Championship Series quickly turned into something else altogether. It is the classic slugger vs. boxer, with the Cards in the role of Joe Frazier and the Giants bobbing, weaving and dancing like Muhammad Ali. Round 4 — make that Game 4 — brings these two heavyweight champs back together at AT&T Park tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

When Giants third-base coach Tim Flannery asks his hitters to practice bunting for the umpteenth time on the umpteenth summer day, he tells them to envision close games, packed houses, fanatical crowds. He tells them to envision the playoffs, essentially. The time of year when bunts can mean everything.

Thanks to a walk-off error by Cardinals pitcher Randy Choate, San Francisco beat St. Louis, 5-4, in 10 innings on Tuesday. With the Game 3 win, the Giants took a 2-1 lead over the Cards in the National League Championship Series. Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s Giants win.

The Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman away from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday to fill the newly created position of president of baseball operations, with current general manager Ned Colletti becoming a senior advisor to team president Stan Kasten.

For the upcoming offseason, you now are White Sox general manager Rick Hahn. And one major question to be dealt with centers on what should be done with shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

The D-backs introduced Chip Hale as their new manager on Monday. A ferocious competitor, Hale replaces Kirk Gibson, who was dismissed with three days remaining in the 2014 season and the team on its way to a 64-98 record.

Considering the contrasting styles of the Royals and Orioles, a change of venue from Camden Yards to Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET on TBS) could alter the series.

As far as Jarrod Dyson is concerned, Game 3 of the American League Championship Series counts for nearly as much as Game 7 would. Speaking after his team’s Game 2 victory, the Royals outfielder was confident in his team’s chances to advance to the World Series should they take care of business in Game 3.

Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the host Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles has been postponed due to inclement weather and the forecast for rainfall throughout the remainder of Monday. Game 3 will be Tuesday, Game 4 will be on Wednesday and, if necessary, first pitch of Thursday’s Game 5 will for 4 p.m. ET/3p.m. CT.

Nobody ever wants to be down 2-0 in a postseason series. But if that is going to be your fate, it sure doesn’t hurt to have Nelson Cruz on your side. The Orioles slugger has put teams on his back before at this time of year, and if he can do it again in the American League Championship Series, perhaps Cruz will finally get the notice he deserves as one of the best pressure players of this era.

Monday’s Game 3 of the American League Championship Series was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (TBS).