The 2012 MLB Playoffs has been full of drama already. Each divisional round series went the distance. Friday nights game 5s didn’t disappoint.

Down 6-0 early, and seemingly out of it the defending World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals pulled off yet another improbable comeback to eliminate the National League’s top team the Washington Nationals. Down 7-5 heading into the 9th the Cards scored 4 in the final frame to win the game. Daniel Descalso tied the game with a two-out, two-run single. Later in the inning Pete Kozmar singled home two more to put St. Louis up for good. The Cardinals will face the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS, for a chance to return to the World Series.

In the AL, the New York Yankees found themselves in a win or go home game 5 with the red-hot Baltimore Orioles. In a big money game, the Yanks turned to their big money pitcher CC Sabathia, and he did not disappoint. Sabathia pitched a complete game, propelling New York to a 3-1 victory. The Yankees will face the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS.

In the late game Thursday night, the Detroit Tigers advanced to the ALCS with a 6-0 victory over the Oakland A’s. The Tigers got a dominating complete game shutout, 11 strikeout performance from their ace Justin Verlander. The Tigers will square off with the New York Yankees for the right to represent the American League in the World Series.