News » ImagesDespite the tough outing

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:HAPPY HOLLIDAYMatt Holliday takes aim at getting his first hit of the season. The 38-year-old outfielder returned to the Rockies on Thursday for the first time in a decade and went 0 for 3 against San Diego. The seven-time All-Star signed a minor league deal last month after hitting .231 with 19 home runs for the Yankees last year. Colorado hosts St. Louis this weekend.“I’m grateful to be back Wily Peralta Jersey ,” said Holliday, who hit .319 with 128 homers for the Rockies from 2004-08.CHECK HIMThe Red Sox will see how first baseman Mitch Moreland is feeling, a day after he bruised his left knee sliding near a photo pit chasing a foul popup at Fenway Park. Moreland left the game soon after that.Moreland, who had knee trouble earlier this year, is hitting .259 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs for the team with the best record in the majors. He was an All-Star for the first time this season. Boston plays at Tampa Bay over the weekend.EASY, ROOKSan Francisco right-hander Dereck Rodriguez (6-1, 2.25 ERA) is set to come off the disabled list to face Texas at home. The son of Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez recently strained his hamstring when he ran out of the dugout during a dustup between the Giants and Dodgers. He’s won five straight decisions and his name is now in the NL Rookie of the Year conversation.STUCKFormer home run champ Chris Davis is trying to avoid having the worst batting average for a full-time player since 1900. The Baltimore slugger is hitting .163 heading into this weekend at Camden Yards against the Yankees. Davis is in jeopardy of finishing below the .179 mark by Rob Deer in 1991 and Dan Uggla in 2013. At 32, Davis still has four more seasons left on a $161 million, seven-year contract. He has 15 homers and 41 RBIs http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-lucas-duda-jersey , and has struck out 158 times in 386 at-bats this year.“For me, I want to finish up strong. I want to work on some things and go into the offseason with a head of steam,” he said.SLUMPINGTigers rookie Mike Gerber is in an 0-for-30 slump, striking out 17 times in that span. The 26-year-old outfielder got four hits in his first 12 at-bats after making his major league debut this season, but nothing since. Detroit continues its home series this weekend against the White Sox. The Los Angeles Dodgers have to overcome a new foe from the National League Central to make it back to the World Series for the second year in a row.After battling with the Chicago Cubs for the last two seasons in the NLCS, the Dodgers take on the Milwaukee Brewers with the right to play either the Boston Red Sox or Houston Astros in the World Series on the line.The Dodgers are hoping to clinch their 20th World Series appearance in franchise history, but the Brewers are more than willing to put up a fight and earn a return to the championship series for the first time since 1982.The series between the pair of division winners will be tight across the board, as both sides possess powerful lineups and impressive pitching staffs, but there will be a few players who shine the brightest and emerge as difference-makers over seven games.NLCS ScheduleAll times ET.Game 1:Friday Alex Gordon Jersey , October 12 at Milwaukee (8:09 p.m., FS1)Game 2:Saturday, October 13 at Milwaukee (4:09 p.m., Fox)Game 3:Monday, October 15 at Los Angeles (7:39 p.m., FS1)Game 4:Tuesday, October 16 at Los Angeles (9:09 p.m., FS1)Game 5:Wednesday, October 17 at Los Angeles (5:05 p.m. http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-george-brett-jersey , FS1)*Game 6:Friday, October 19 at Milwaukee (8:39 p.m., FS1)*Game 7:Saturday, October 20 at Milwaukee (9:09 p.m., FS1)**-if necessary Odds (via OddsShark)Game 1:Los Angeles (-140; bet $140 to win $100); Milwaukee (+130; bet $100 to win $140)Ticket InfoAll available tickets for each game of the NLCS can be found on StubHub.PredictionsMoustakas Turns into Milwaukee's Most Important PlayerMike Moustakas is one of the few players on the Milwaukee roster with World Series experience.In the 2015 World Series, Moustakas hit .304 for the Kansas City Royals after driving in five runs during the ALCS.Moustakas was one of the Brewers' top hitters in the NLDS, and he'll extend that hot streak at the plate into the NLCS.Dylan Buell/Getty ImagesThe third baseman recorded four hits in 11 at-bats against the Colorado Rockies from a spot in the order beneath Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun, who are seen as the top threats in the lineup.With a handful of heavy hitters in front of him in the lineup, Moustakas will have the opportunity to drive in runs and extend rallies against the Dodgers' pitching staff.Moustakas' form at the plate shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone Mike Moustakas Jersey , as he was one of Milwaukee's most consistent players at the dish in September.The midseason acquisition had a hit in eight of the final 10 regular-season games and he produced 14 RBI in September.Buehler Emerges as X-Factor on Dodgers' StaffWalker Buehler might not get the ball until Game 3 if the Dodgers follow their rotation from the NLDS, but when he does, he'll turn the series in the Dodgers' favor.Clayton Kershaw is slated to start Game 1, and Hyun-Jin Ryu should be able to go for Game 2 on extended rest, which means Buehler would open up the team's NLCS home slate.Buehler was roughed up by the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS, as he gave up five earned runs over five innings.Harry How/Getty ImagesDespite the tough outing, Buehler still struck out seven batters, and the Dodgers hope his form from after the All-Star break carries over into the NLCS and erases the NLDS performance from his mind.In 14 regular-season starts since July, including the NL West tiebreaker against the Rockies Salvador Perez Jersey , Buehler gave up five earned runs twice.In September, Buehler conceded seven earned runs over six starts, with his masterpiece coming in the September 19 win over the Rockies in which he fanned 12.Buehler's last four home starts have been outstanding, as he's let up a single earned run, which is why the Dodgers should start him in Game 3 to pull back any lost momentum from the opening games in Milwaukee.The 24-year-old's performance in Game 3 will warrant another start, or an extended appearance in relief, as the Dodgers attempt to keep the Brewers off balance at the plate.Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90.Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference.