Following two days of MLB wild-card drama, the American League will kick off the division series Thursday without fear of immediate expulsion.
Don't let any friends, family, pundits or random strangers on Twitter declare these as "must-win" games. Taking Game 1 would sure be swell, but that's not how math works. Everyone is at least afforded some breathing room in a best-of-five showdown.
Aside from one ace, Thursday night's pitching matchups don't deliver a true Game 1 feel. The AL can't market Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Jake Arrieta, Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom, but it does offer offense.