The road to the World Series begins
A photographic look at Saturday's MLB playoff action
New York Yankees' Curtis Granderson takes part in baseball practice on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Baltimore. The Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are scheduled to play Game 1 in the American League division series on Sunday.Patrick Semansky/The Associated Press
The teams line the baselines during pregame activities before Game 1 of the American League division baseball series between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit.Carlos Osorio/The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera takes batting practice before Game 1 in their MLB ALDS playoff baseball series against the Oakland Athletics in Detroit, Michigan October 6, 2012.REBECCA COOK/Reuters
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, left, talks with Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball, Joe Torre before Game 1 of the American League division baseball series against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit.Paul Sancya/The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (R) grimaces as Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris throws to second base during the third inning of Game 1 in their MLB ALDS playoff baseball series in Detroit, Michigan October 6, 2012.REBECCA COOK/Reuters
Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick catches a ball hit by Detroit Tigers' Austin Jackson during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League division baseball series, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit. The Tigers won 3-1.Paul Sancya/The Associated Press
Oakland Athletics starter Jarrod Parker pitches to the Detroit TIgers during the third inning of Game 1 in their MLB ALDS playoff baseball series in Detroit, Michigan October 6, 2012.REBECCA COOK/Reuters
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the American League division baseball series against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit.Carlos Osorio/The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers fans hold up strikeout K's for starting pitcher Justin Verlander during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League division baseball series against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit.Paul Sancya/The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Valverde (R) celebrates with teammate Alex Avila after the Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 in their MLB ALDS playoff baseball series in Detroit, Michigan October 6, 2012.REBECCA COOK/Reuters
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker looks up in the dugout after getting pulled in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League division baseball series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit.Paul Sancya/The Associated Press
Oakland Athletics' Coco Crisp is congratulated after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 1 of the American League division baseball series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Detroit.Paul Sancya/The Associated Press
A member of the Baltimore Orioles coaching staff prepares to throw pitches during a baseball practice on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Baltimore. The Orioles and New York Yankees are scheduled to play Game 1 in the American League division series on Sunday.Patrick Semansky/The Associated Press
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter takes part in baseball practice on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Baltimore. The Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are scheduled to play Game 1 in the American League division series on Sunday.Patrick Semansky/The Associated Press
Darren Baker, son of Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, gets teased by Reds third baseman Todd Frazier before Game 1 of the National League division baseball series between the San Francisco Giants and the Reds in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Ten years after Darren Baker nearly got run over at home plate when he wandered into the World Series action, he's still not old enough to be a bat boy. Darren Baker is just fine with it, because these days he's a second baseman who appreciates watching the games to learn. He does plan to bat boy for a few games in 2013 after turning the required 14 on Feb. 11.Eric Risberg/The Associated Press
Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki stretches during baseball practice, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in St. Louis. The Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play Game 1 in the National League division series on Sunday.Jeff Roberson/The Associated Press
Members of the Washington Nationals stretch at the start of baseball practice inside Busch Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in St. Louis. The Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play Game 1 in the National League division series on Sunday.Jeff Roberson/The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran warms up during baseball practice Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in St. Louis. The Cardinals and Washington Nationals are scheduled to play Game 1 in the National League division series on Sunday.Jeff Roberson/The Associated Press
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith celebrates after throwing out the opening pitch before the start of Game 1 of the MLB NLDS playoff baseball series between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, California October 6, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
A fan shows his ticket for Game 1 of the National League division baseball series between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.Jeff Chiu/The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain walks off the mound after going 1-2-3 against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning of Game 1 in their MLB NLDS playoff baseball series in San Francisco, California October 6, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips celebrates his two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during Game 1 of their MLB NLDS playoff baseball series in San Francisco, California October 6, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
San Francisco Giants right fielder Gregor Blanco hits a double against the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd inning of Game 1 in their MLB NLDS playoff baseball series in San Francisco, California October 6, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Ryan Ludwick makes a diving catch on a ball hit by San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the National League division baseball series in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.Eric Risberg/The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro watches his throw to first after failing to tag Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips in an 8th inning rundown during Game 1 of their MLB NLDS playoff baseball series in San Francisco, California October 6, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
AT&T Park is seen from McCovey Cove during Game 1 of the National League division baseball series between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.Jeff Chiu/The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco steps on the base in the fourth inning of Game 1 of the National League division baseball series against the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.Eric Risberg/The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants Buster Posey's home run ball clears the wall over Cincinnati Reds left fielder Ryan Ludwick (48) in the sixth inning of Game 1 in their MLB NLDS playoff baseball series in San Francisco, California October 6, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt falls into the crowd after catching a pop-up by Cincinnati Reds' Zack Cozart during the first inning of Game 1 of the National League baseball division series Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in San Francisco.Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Associated Press
Military planes fly over the stadium before Game 1 of the National League division baseball series between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.Jeff Chiu/The Associated Press