And you thought everything would be settled by Sunday? Well, the National League playoff combatants have been finalized but the American League has yet to determine which team has won the Central and will be joining the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox in the post-season.

The Chicago White Sox ended a five-game losing streak yesterday by beating the Cleveland Indians 6-0 to keep the team's hopes alive for at least another day. Gavin Floyd and the Pale Hose will face Freddy Garcia and the Detroit Tigers at home in a makeup game on Monday afternoon. If Chicago wins today, the Sox would host a tiebreaker against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday for the division title and the final playoff spot.

Over in the NL, the Milwaukee Brewers are in, and the New York Mets are out. Behind C.C. Sabathia's complete-game gem on short rest and Ryan Braun's two-run blast in the eighth, the Brew Crew bested the Chicago Cubs 3-1 to earn the wild card berth in the senior circuit. This year marks the first time since 1982 that Milwaukee finds itself in the playoffs. In addition, as Bob Timmerman points out, "The Brewers are the first team to make the playoffs in both the AL and NL."

Heading into Monday's action, here is how the playoff picture is shaping up:

DIVISION SERIES

Wednesday, October 1
NLDS Game 1: Milwaukee at Philadelphia, 3 p.m. ET
NLDS Game 1: LA Dodgers at Chicago, 6:30 p.m. ET
ALDS Game 1: Boston at LA Angels, 10 p.m. ET

Thursday, October 2
ALDS Game 1: Minnesota/Chicago at Tampa Bay, 2:30 p.m. ET
NLDS Game 2: Milwaukee at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. ET
NLDS Game 2: LA Dodgers at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET

Friday, October 3
ALDS Game 2: Minnesota/Chicago at Tampa Bay, 6 p.m. ET
ALDS Game 2: Boston at LA Angels, 9:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, October 4
NLDS Game 3: Philadelphia at Milwaukee, 6 p.m. ET
NLDS Game 3: Chicago at LA Dodgers, 10 p.m. ET

Sunday, October 5
ALDS Game 3: LA Angels at Boston, TBD
ALDS Game 3: Tampa Bay at Minnesota/Chicago, TBD
*NLDS Game 4: Philadelphia at Milwaukee, TBD
*NLDS Game 4: Chicago at LA Dodgers, TBD

Monday, October 6
*ALDS Game 4: LA Angels at Boston, TBD
*ALDS Game 4: Tampa Bay at Minnesota/Chicago, TBD

Tuesday, October 7
*NLDS Game 5: Milwaukee at Philadelphia, TBD
*NLDS Game 5: LA Dodgers at Chicago, TBD

Wednesday, October 8
*ALDS Game 5: Boston at LA Angels, TBD
*ALDS Game 5: Minnesota/Chicago at Tampa Bay, TBD

* if necessary

The National League Championship Series is scheduled to commence on Thursday, October 9. The ALCS will begin on Friday, October 10.

The World Series starts on Wednesday, October 22. If the series last seven games (and there are no rainouts), the World Champion will be crowned on... Thursday, October 30th!

You can enjoy Halloween knowing full well that the baseball season is behind us. Kind of frightening, huh?

Following in our tradition of the past several years, we will be reaching out to the baseball blogosphere to assist us in bringing you playoff series previews on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to these special articles, guest columnist Ross Roley will tell you "Why the Angels Won't Win the World Series (And the Cubs Will Win it All)" on Tuesday.