Photo by Jon Willey

By Greg Dillard

When the D-backs punched their ticket to the 2011 MLB postseason last Friday, fans began to look ahead to the Division Series and who Arizona might play in the opening round.

Well, that’s a good question.

The Braves, Brewers, Phillies and Cardinals are all possible opponents for the D-backs. St. Louis has clawed its way back into wild card contention with Atlanta in recent weeks. Milwaukee and Arizona are also in a close-knit battle for home-field advantage.

Entering play Tuesday, the Brewers maintained a slim, one-game lead over the D-backs for home-field advantage. With two games left in the regular season, Arizona would need to simply tie Milwaukee to claim home field since the D-backs won the season series.

Chase Field will play host to the postseason for the first time since 2007 either this Saturday and Sunday for Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-five NLDS or next Tuesday and Wednesday (if necessary) for Games 3 and 4 of the series.

Here’s a look at whom the D-backs may face in the NLDS and where they might be headed this coming weekend.

• Arizona @ Philadelphia: The D-backs will head to Citizens Bank Park for the first two games if the Brewers earn a better record and the Braves manage to win the wild card.

 

• Atlanta @ Arizona: The D-backs will host the Braves at Chase Field this Saturday if they post an equal or better final record than the Brewers and if the Braves can hold on to the wild card.

 

•  Arizona @ Milwaukee: The D-backs are Wisconsin-bound if the Brewers cap the season with a better record than Arizona and the Cardinals snatch the wild card from Atlanta.

 

• Milwaukee @ Arizona: Prince Fielder and the Brew Crew will be back at Chase Field on Saturday if the D-backs notch the same or a better record than Milwaukee and the Cardinals win the wild card.

 Needless to say, the 2011 National League postseason matchups are far from being decided, even with just two regular season games left. After falling to the Dodgers in Monday’s series opener, the D-backs host L.A. for their final two games this week.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee is taking on Pittsburgh at Miller Park for games 161 and 162. Albert Pujols and the Cardinals are in Houston to finish off the regular season, while the Phillies are in Atlanta for a pair of crucial NL East contests.

 

For tickets to the D-backs final two regular season games of 2011, check out http://atmlb.com/9PGYY1

For tickets to see the D-backs in the NLDS at Chase Field, check out http://atmlb.com/nHh3At