After a grueling 162 game season, the Major League Baseball playoffs are finally here. While many teams in contention for a World Series championship were expected to make it to October, there were a couple surprises as well. Living up to their "Money Ball" depiction, the Oakland Athletics with their characteristically low payroll, were one club that raised eyebrows when they clinched a berth. The Washington Nationals are an equally fascinating story, as they'll make their very first playoff appearance behind a very young and talented ball club.

While the division winning teams will get to skip the nail-biting one game Wild Card round on Friday, the Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers (AL) and the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves (NL) will go to battle for a respective spot into the Division Series, which will kick off on Sunday.

Heavy-hitting Josh Reddick and his Oakland Athletics will be facing triple-crown winner Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers in game one of the ALDS. In the NLDS, Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds will go head-to-head with the San Francisco Giants.

In other divisional action, Joe Girardi's New York Yankees will wait around until Sunday to face the Wild Card winner of the Orioles and Rangers. On the National League side, Davey Johnson's Washington Nationals will automatically advance as well to take on the NL Wild Card winner of the Cardinals and Braves matchup.

View the upcoming 2012 MLB playoff schedule (ET) below.

*= if necessary, TBD= To be determined

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012 (WILD CARD GAMES)

Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers @ 8:30 PM on TBS

St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves @ 5:00 PM on TBS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012 (DIVISION SERIES)

(Gm. 1) Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers @ 6 PM on TBS

(Gm. 1) Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants @ 9:30 PM on TBS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2012 (DIVISION SERIES)

(Gm. 1) New York Yankees at American League Wild Card Winner @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 1) Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 2) Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants @ TBS on TBS

(Gm.1) Washington Nationals at National League Wild Card Winner @ TBD on TBS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012 (DIVISION SERIES)

(Gm. 2) New York Yankees at American League Wild Card Winner @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 2) Washington Nationals at National League Wild Card Winner @ TBD on TBS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2012 (DIVISION SERIES)

(Gm. 3) Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 3) San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Red @ TBD on TBS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 (DIVISION SERIES)

(Gm. 3) American League Wild Card Winner at New York Yankees @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 4*) Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 4*) San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Red @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 3) National League Wild Card Winner at Washington Nationals @ TBD on TBS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012 (DIVISION SERIES)

(Gm. 4*) American League Wild Card Winner at New York Yankees @ TBD on TBS

(Gm 5*) Detroit Tigers@ Oakland Athletics @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 5*) San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Red @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 4*) National League Wild Card Winner at Washington Nationals @ TBD on TBS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012

(Gm. 5*) American League Wild Card Winner at New York Yankees @ TBD on TBS

(Gm. 5*) National League Wild Card Winner at Washington Nationals @ TBD on TBS

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Mlb, Television