NLDS: San Francisco 3 - 2 Atlanta (San Francisco wins series 3-1)

The stat guys don't like playoffs. The whole point of statistical analysis is to study what happens over long periods of time -- at least 162 games. But the playoffs are, of course, very, very short. In a short series, anything can happen -- the Nats, for example, have won their only two series against the Yankees. In a series like this one, where every game was so close, the stat guys would never acknowledge that the Giants were definitively better than the Braves.

I can see their point. But I would also point out that a short series may reward different skills than a full season. Tonight, for example, the Braves made a crucial error that allowed the Giants to take the lead -- the second game in a row that has happened. Over the course of 162 games, of course, those types of little errors may even out. But the whole point of a short series is that you don't have time for things to even out; you have to avoid errors right now. The Braves couldn't do that, and the Braves are gone.

Personally, I'm glad the Giants advanced. The Phillies have dominated the Braves for years; I can't imagine the Braves would have given them much trouble in the NLCS. I don't know that the Giants will be much of a roadblock either, but I am excited about watching Tim Lincecum and the other Giant starters take on the powerhouse Philadelphia lineup.