DBacksSGWe're hours away from a potential elimination game in the National League Division Series. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who have earned a reputation in 2011 for their resilience and never-say-die attitude, find themselves in their most challenging position yet, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0.

Obviously not a lot has gone right for Arizona in the first two games, but what has gone wrong is correctable in my estimation. What I've done is put together a short list of suggested adjustments — both mental and strategic — to help them avoid being the only three-and-out in this year's playoffs, with the ultimate goal of getting the series back to Milwaukee.

Sound good?

Right size, wrong shape: Had Kirk Gibson read my piece on Saturday morning identifying the players who held the keys to their success against Milwaukee, Arizona might not be in this position.

His Game 1 lineup was mind-boggling, primarily because he elected to start Lyle Overbay over Paul Goldschmidt at first base. That went as

NapoliSmashOn Jan. 21, the Los Angeles Angels traded catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera to the Toronto Blue Jays for the enormous contract and deteriorating skills of Vernon Wells.

Just four days later, the Blue Jays turned around and shipped Napoli to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Frank Francisco.

Not the most auspicious start to one's year, but the uncertainty must have served as a motivator. Because once in Texas, the 29-year-old catcher embarked on the breakout season many in Anaheim anticipated he would if manager Mike Scioscia wasn't so down on his defensive skill set, or attached to Jeff Mathis.

Earning the opening day start over Yorvit Torrealba, Napoli jacked a three-run home run. He also homered in his next start, and the roll continued from there. Playing in 113 games, Napoli would achieve career highs in home runs (30), RBIs (75), batting average (.320), on-base percentage (.414), and several advanced statistical categories that I don't understand or have the

LeeNLCSGm2

That is the question many are pondering on the heels of Cliff Lee's rough outing in Game 2 of the NLDS, which resulted in the St. Louis Cardinals evening the series at 1-1.

After dominating his way through all three rounds in the 2009 playoffs — before his Philadelphia Phillies ultimately fell to New York Yankees — and again dominating through the ALDS and ALCS rounds as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2010, it was beginning to feel like Lee was invincible in postseason play.

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However, once the Rangers reached last year's World Series, he came back to earth in two unsuccessful starts against the eventual world champion San Francisco Giants. In those starts, Lee went 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.

Despite their success, the Giants weren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, so Lee's rough series was both surprising and newsworthy.{YSP:MORE}

But it was pretty much a distant memory by the time he decided to rejoin the Phillies

YountBeastMode1Things are going so well for the Milwaukee Brewers, even their legends are getting into "Beast Mode."

Or at least that's true in the case of Hall of Famer Robin Yount, who after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Milwaukee's Game 2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, punctuated his effort by emulating the Brewers' rallying gesture to the cheers of the 44,066 in attendance.

And then he showed off the super human strength that accompanies "Beast Mode" by launching the ball deep into the stands after embracing former teammate and current Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum. {YSP:MORE}

Yount, who spent the entirety of his 20-year major-league career in Milwaukee, and was a member of their last division champion in 1982, promised the Brewers organization a few weeks ago that he'd come to Miller Park should the team clinch a playoff berth. Little did he know they would be facing the one other major-league organization he had an association with.

From 2002 to 2004, Yount served

ShieldsMaddonGm2After receiving a truly exceptional outing from rookie Matt Moore in a victorious Game 1, it appeared the Tampa Bay Rays were positioned to take command of their ALDS against the Texas Rangers with James Shields on the bump in Game 2.

That belief only grew after Matt Joyce connected for a two-run home run in the fourth inning off Derek Holland, pushing Tampa's lead to 3-0.

However, unlike the regular season, where Shields would typically put the clamps down on an opposing offense and attempt to go the distance — he did so a major league best 11 times — he came out in the bottom of the inning a little wild, hitting a pair Rangers around singles by Josh Hamilton and Michael Young, and then allowed Texas to tie it on Mike Napoli's two-run single.

But that was only the beginning of Shields' problems. His own wildness would extent the inning even further.{YSP:MORE}

Two batters later, and after wild pitching runners to second and third, Shields would get David Murphy to strike out swinging.

Goldschmidt1

As you read in David Brown's Star power: 20 players capable of dominating fall headlines piece, the Arizona Diamondbacks roster isn't exactly packed with star power or impact players. In fact, only Justin Upton represented Arizona on that list, which is exactly how I would have written it as well.

I'm sure a valid argument could be made for 21-game winner Ian Kennedy to join Upton. Maybe even catcher Miguel Montero or outfielder Chris Young, but they're only sure bets if the list was 25-30 deep.

But therein lies the beauty of the Diamondbacks in 2011. Few households names. Player-for-player, possibly the least talented team in these playoffs. But they're a well-constructed, well-prepared squad that will outwork you and make you earn what your keep.

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Because of that, they're easy to root for. But likeability and grindiness won't win you too many playoff games. They are going to need contributions from a

MayorsPlayoff baseball means it's time for a few friendly bets between mayors from the respective cities involved. And we have one to report from the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals NLDS, which is set to begin on Saturday afternoon at 5 PM EST.

Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter (pictured left) and St. Louis mayor Francis Slay (right) have agreed to wager a few cold ones, with the the losing mayor sending a supply of locally-made beers to the winner.

Should the Cardinals win, Nutter will be shipping away a variety of beverages from Philadelphia's vast selection of microbreweries. Should the Phillies win, Slay will of course be parting with a supply of St. Louis-based Budweiser.

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Though you'd think the bet was tilted in St. Louis' favor, Mark McDonald, a representative of Mayor Nutter, felt the need to release a statement defending Philadelphia's microbrews, while engaging in a little trash talk.

"We produce some high-quality

MMoore55Joe Maddon sure knows how to grab your attention, doesn't he?

The Tampa Bay Rays skipper did it again on Thursday night, naming rookie left-hander Matt Moore his starting pitcher for Game 1 of their ALDS against the Texas Rangers.

Of course, Maddon's main purpose wasn't to attract attention with his decision. With James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and David Price unavailable after working against the New York Yankees this week, his options were limited.

After arriving at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Thursday afternoon, Maddon determined that it was the 22-year-old Moore who gave them the best chance to win Game 1.

Yes, even though Moore has only three major-league appearances — and one start — to his name. Bluebird Banter did the research and found that no pitcher has ever started Game 1 of a postseason series with less big-league experience. Moore will break the mark of Bob Wolcott, who started a game for the 1995 Seattle Mariners after seven appearances.

Maddon says he's confident in