SI.COM

FOR OCT. 6, 2014

Batters Up

As the 2014 MLB playoffs get under way, SI.com has complete coverage of the postseason, including nightly recaps of each series. Senior writer Michael Rosenberg examines how Andrew McCutchen(22) and Nelson Cruz have turned the Pirates and the Orioles, respectively, into contenders. Go to SI.com/MLB to also read Tom Verducci's playoff preview and to get his thoughts on whether Mike Trout can lead the Angels to a title.

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25 home runs, 83 RBIs and a .542 SLG%

111

RBIs, 36 home runs and a .561 SLG%

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home runs, 108 RBIs and a .525 SLG%

120 SPORTS

Picking Sides

In the playoffs, would you rather have the Angels' bats or the Dodgers' pitching? 120 Sports hosts Tyler Jacobs and Bryant McFadden are on opposite sides of the diamond on that question. "The Angels have guys who have proven it year after year," says Jacobs. "I'm talking Pujols, and the best player in MLB, Trout." Counters McFadden: "Two words—Clayton Kershaw[page 40]. When you're talking about trying to get that championship, you need elite-level defense." For more of Jacobs's and McFadden's Point/Counterpoint, plus 24-hour access to video highlights and analysis, go to 120sports.com

FanNation

PLAY DAILY. WIN BIG

The new FanNation fantasy sports app allows you to select a set of NFL players each week for the Football Throwdown. Challenge your friends for cash prizes or just for bragging rights. To learn more, go to fannation.SI.com

RISING STARS

To watch an interview with this week's Rising Star, Baylor senior wide receiver Antwan Goodley, and to explore SI.com's entire Rising Stars series presented by Symetra, go to SI.com/risingstars

SI PRO-FILES

As successful as some athletes are on the field, some find even more success after they hang up their uniforms. Take former Seton Hall point guard Pookey Wigington, who after graduating in 1990 with a degree in marketing, launched a popular comedy showcase in Hollywood. To learn more about athletes turned businessmen, go to SI.com/Pro-Files, a series from the editors of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED and FORTUNE.

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JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES (MCCUTCHEN)

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SUE OGROCKI/AP (GOODLEY)

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CHRISTOPHER STANFORD FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (WIGINGTON)

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BRAD MANGIN FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (KERSHAW)

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GENE J. PUSKAR/AP (CRUZ)

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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (TROUT)

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ILLUSTRATION