Brandon Crawford entrenched himself in the Giants’ extensive slugging lore, while Madison Bumgarner reaffirmed his budding stardom. Together, they propelled San Francisco farther into the postseason by collaborating on Wednesday night’s 8-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Wild Card Game.

The Giants kept the on-field celebration relatively tame following their 8-0 victory over the Pirates in Wednesday’s National League Wild Card Game — but that all changed once they were behind closed doors.

Madison Bumgarner was masterful in extending his postseason scoreless innings streak, while Brandon Crawford became the first shortstop in playoff history to hit a grand slam in the Giants’ 8-0 win over the Pirates on Wednesday night in the NL Wild Card Game.

What’s the best way to beat the Tigers and the Orioles? To find out, we asked players from across their respective divisions to give the inside intel on how these clubs can be beaten. Our sources were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor.

What’s the best way to beat the Royals and the Angels? To find out, we asked players from across their respective divisions to give the inside intel on how these clubs can be beaten. Our sources were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor.

A closer look at Thursday’s matchup between the Royals’ Jason Vargas and the Angels’ Jered Weaver in Game 1 of their American League Division Series.

Here’s an introduction to some key players you’ll probably be hearing from this October, to help you understand where they come from, and how they got to where they are.

For the first time, live streaming of all World Series and select postseason games for authenticated MLB.TV subscribers is available in the U.S. and Canada. That will include the first live streaming of every game broadcast by FOX in the World Series.

Jered Weaver and Jason Vargas are close friends, and not just because they were teammates with the Angels last season. They were also teammates in 2004 at Long Beach State. Now they will face off on the big stage, starting Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

A fairly universal consensus has formed that Mike Trout is the game’s best all-around talent at 23, the man most likely to succeed Derek Jeter — Trout’s favorite player growing up — as the face of baseball. And none other than the original Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, marvels at Trout’s athleticism, demeanor, speed, strength and unflagging confidence.

Maybe someone has seen a bigger collection of fast, ultra-aggressive baserunners. But it has been a long, long time since anyone topped the most recently updated version of the Royals.

In his 21 big league seasons, Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett played in seven postseasons, two World Series and 13 All-Star Games, but he called the Royals’ Wild Card win “the best game I’ve ever seen.”

The Angels know the Royals like to run, and run well, but for the ALDS Game 1 battery of Jered Weaver and Chris Iannetta, the plan is simple: Keep them off first base and they can’t steal second.

It’s easy to be skeptical about Josh Hamilton going into the ALDS. He’s coming off a poor year, he still isn’t fully healthy, and he was only able to play in one of the Angels’ last 23 regular-season games, with nagging ailments in his right shoulder and right side.

When the Angels take on the Royals in the American League Division Series, it’ll be a contrast of styles: big market versus small market, home runs versus stolen bases, halos versus crowns. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about the ALDS matchup.

Three years have passed since the Tigers last saw Nelson Cruz in the postseason. They’re not exactly interested in re-living the memories, or giving him new ones, as they prepare to face the Orioles in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Thursday.

Eric Hosmer’s triple, a soaring shot off the left-center wall, ignited the Royals’ winning two-run surge in the 12th inning of Tuesday’s AL Wild Card Game.