There were no surprises when the Cardinals announced their National League Division Series roster on Thursday morning, just hours in advance of Game 1 against the Pirates.

Andre Ethier and Chris Capuano were included, but veterans Jerry Hairston, Brandon League, Carlos Marmol and Edinson Volquez were excluded from the 25-man roster the Dodgers submitted Thursday for their National League Division Series against the Braves.

On paper, the postseason series between the Tigers and A’s might be the toughest to predict. Oakland had a 4-3 advantage in the season series, scoring 42 runs while allowing 40 to Detroit. Here’s how it breaks down heading into Game 1 Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Right around the time the Red Sox wrapped up the American League East championship two weeks ago, the Rays became a desperate team. To say these two teams took different paths to the AL Division Series would be a huge understatement.

The thing about the Tampa Bay Rays is that they play such spectacular defense that even the most difficult plays start to seem routine after a while, writes columnist Richard Justice.

The Rays have won three straight road games in which a loss would have sent them home for the winter, so they feel more than prepared to face the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

Pitcher Alex Cobb spoke to the media after the Rays’ AL Wild Card Game win.

The Tampa Bay Rays once again put the Wild in Wild Card, and now we’ve got ourselves four divine Division Series all set to begin. The Road to the World Series is down to eight teams, and Division Series play begins Thursday with both Game 1s in the National League.

Wednesday night’s postgame celebration was different than the Rays’ regular-season ritual following wins. This time, they could finally exhale after a 4-0 win over the Indians in the American League Wild Card Game.

The Rays’ postseason weapon in 2011, Matt Moore gets an opportunity to build his playoff resume Friday, when he takes the mound in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Wednesday night was, for all intents and purposes, Game 7. And that meant elimination for either the Rays or Indians in the one-and-done American League Wild Card Game. Thanks to Alex Cobb’s pitching and just enough offense, the Rays took a 4-0 win over the Indians.

Delmon Young, who rejoined his original organization on Aug. 22 after being released by the Phillies, ignited the Rays with a third-inning homer in the AL Wild Card Game, the outfielder’s Major League-leading ninth postseason home run since 2011.

The pursuit of greatness never leaves Jon Lester. The internal forces that drive him are probably the biggest reason his major bounce back from his first disappointing season last year was expected by his manager, his pitching coach and his teammates.

The Red Sox handled the Rays quite nicely en route to the American League East title, defeating their top competitor in 12 out of 19 meetings.

Adam Wainwright leads the Cardinals into the National League Division Series on Thursday at Busch Stadium against the Pirates and A.J. Burnett.

Yoenis Cespedes showed continued improvement during workouts on Wednesday afternoon at the Coliseum, but whether his ailing right shoulder is healthy enough to warrant a start for Friday’s American League Division Series opener against Detroit remains unclear.

Even though he primarily served as a backup during the regular season’s final three weeks, Braves second baseman Dan Uggla was not prepared to hear manager Fredi Gonzalez tell him he would not be included on the National League Division Series roster.