Elsa/Getty ImagesNew York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/matthew-ioannidis-jersey , the team announced Wednesday.The Yankees added the procedure "went as expected."The team confirmed last weekGregorius would need to go under the knife to repair a tear in hisright ulnar collateral ligament.Yankees manager Aaron Booneindicatedthe 28-year-old is at least a doubt to start the 2019 regular season."We're optimistic that he'll be back at some point during the season," Boone said. "I don't want to speculate too much on when.We think there's a realistic chance he plays the bulk of the season with us."Yankees general manager Brian Cashman added that Gregorius' return date "all depends on how things play out."The announcement put a damper on what was a career year for Gregorius. He set personal bests in home runs (27), on-base percentage (.335) and slugging percentage (.494). His 4.6 WAR ranked eighth among shortstops, perFanGraphs.For some, Gregorius' elbow injury added further incentive for the Yankees to sign Manny Machado, who's a free agent this winer. MLB.com'sAnthony Castrovincemade some arguments against the move, citing the likely length of Machado's contract鈥攑otentially 10 years or more鈥攁nd New York's need for starting pitching above a middle infielder.The Yankees already had some motivation to spend big in free agency after a disappointing playoff exit in the American League Division Series. Now that Gregorius is officially on the road to recovery, the team will have another reason to evaluate all of its options in the free-agent market. The American League bracket was finalized Wednesday after the New York Yankees advanced from the AL Wild Card Gameat the Oakland Athletics' expense to secure a divisional-series matchup with the Boston Red Sox. The National League, meanwhile, is ready for the first day of Division Series play Thursday.With the 2016 World Series champions, the Chicago Cubs,knocked out in 13 innings on Tuesday night, the Colorado Rockieswill go up against the Milwaukee Brewers. A powerhouse matchup between the NL East and NL West titleholders will take place Thursday night Authentic Adrian Peterson Jersey , with the Atlanta Braves looking for redemption after their 2013 NLDS loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Here is how to watch the first full day of postseason play and a short preview and prediction for each of the matchups.Rockies vs. BrewersWhen: Thursday, Oct. 4 at 5:07 p.m. ETTelevision: Fox Sports 1Live Stream: Fox Sports Go Braves vs. Dodgers When: Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8:37 p.m. ETTelevision: MLB NetworkLive Stream: MLB.tvRockies vs. Brewers PreviewAfter an exciting finish to the NL Wild CardGame on Tuesday night, when the Rockies' Tony Wolters had a two-out RBI single to beat the Cubs, Colorado advanced to the Division Series for the first time since 2009.MLB Stat of the Day MLBStatoftheDayBring on the 13th!We have now entered the longest winner-take-all #postseason game in MLB history. dl8uLEABxHThe Milwaukee Brewers, who clinched their division and will have home-field advantage through the NLCS, will feature in the Division Series for the first time since 2011.Two younger offensive heavy hitters will face off in Thursday's first matchup.Former Miami Marlin Christian Yelichwas the overall batting leader for the Brewers through the regular season. With a batting average of .326 and 36 home runs, Yelich also leads the team with 110 RBI.With the centerfielder on a hot streak during the final months of the season鈥攑utting up at least 10 home runs in August and September鈥攈e will likely make a big impact in this series.MLB MLBCHRISTIAN YELICH IS UNREAL! #SeptemberBaseball vTnIoYqkcGOn the other hand, we have Nolan Arenado who mimics Yelich in many ways, with 38 home runs, 110 RBI and a .297 batting average. The only area Yelich has him definitively beat is on-base percentage and hits, with five more triples as well.Antonio Senzatela will take the mound for the Rockies in the first game of the Division Series. The right-handed pitcher has a 4.38 ERA and 69 strikeouts, giving up 10 home runs on the season. He went 6-6 on 13 regular-season starts this year.With the Rockies exhausting their lineup in their win against the Cubs Adrian Peterson Jersey Elite , paired with Yelich's incredible offensive performance and potential NL MVP season, it seems like the Brewers will take Game 1. Braves vs. Dodgers PreviewThe Dodgers are no strangers to the MLB playoffs. L.A. clinched its sixth National League West title in a row this year and will be facing NL East counterparts the Atlanta Braves. The last time the Braves were in the postseason, they lost the 2013 NL Division Series against the Dodgers.MLB Stat of the Day MLBStatoftheDayThe Dodgers are the 3rd team in the Divisional era to win 6 STRAIGHT division titles 鈥he previous two (Braves 鈥?1-鈥?5, Yankees 鈥?8-鈥?6) won a World Series during their run. Ce9DWM2fPnThe 2013 NLDS saw a stellar performance by Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw,who struck out 12 people in seven innings of Game 1. However, Los Angeles has chosen not to start its ace pitcher in Game 1, instead choosingHyun-Jin Ryufor Game 1 and opting to start Kershaw on Friday.Los Angeles Dodgers DodgersHyun-Jin Ryu will start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves on Thursday. Clayton Kershaw will start Game 2 on Friday. xrYFkRJjCCRyu has an ERA of 1.97 and has 89 strikeouts on 15 starts this season, with a 7-3 record. Kershaw, on the other hand, is a veteran pitcher with 155 strikeouts this season, an ERA of 2.73 and 9 wins to 5 losses.The Braves will be countering with pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, according to MLB.com's Playoff Picture. Foltynewicz holds many of the top stats among the Braves bullpen, with 202 strikeouts on the season鈥攖he most on the team by 40.On the offensive side http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/adrian-peterson-jersey , Atlanta has Freddie Freeman, who has 44 doubles on the season and 98 RBI. Along with Ronald Acuna Jr., who is leading the team in home runs, the Braves offense has outscored their opponents in almost every category.FOX Sports: Braves FOXSportsBravesWho is the most important player for the Braves in the NLDS?Zach_Dillard: Mike Foltynewiczcoryjmccartney: Freddie Freeman#ChopcastLIVE 2izaNpSgOhThe Dodgers are boasting a level offense, with four players leading the team offensively and six players having at least 60 RBI. Max Muncy tops the team with a whopping 35 home runs, and Matt Kemp follows with 85 RBI and .290 batting average.The Atlanta-Los Angeles matchup has the potential to be a showdown. The Dodgers want to keep their winning streak alive, and the Braves want redemption for the 2013 NLDS. However, with a stacked offense and an intimidating bullpen, L.A. is likely to take both Game 1 and the series.All stats courtesy of MLB.com and ESPN.
