The 2011 Major League Baseball postseason begins today with eight former Northwoods League players on a Divisional Series Playoff Roster. For six of the eight, it will be their first opportunity to be part of playoff baseball.

New York Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson (Mankato ’01) has the most playoff experience of the group. He’s played in 22 career playoff games hitting .272 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. This year for the Yankees he hit .262 and led the American League with 136 runs scored and 119 RBIs. He also hit a career-high 41 home runs, which was second in the A.L.

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist (Wisconsin ’03) makes his third postseason appearance having played in 12 games with a .226 average. He batted .269 this season with 20 home runs and 91 RBIs.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (La Crosse ’04) will make his first playoff appearance when he starts game three against the Yankees on Monday in Detroit. Scherzer was 15-9 this season with a 4.43 ERA.

Scherzer’s Tiger teammate Andy Dirks (Brainerd ’06-07) joins the Tigers ALDS roster as a reserve outfielder. The rookie hit .251 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in 78 games this season.

Third baseman Casey McGehee (St. Cloud ’01) helped the Milwaukee Brewers to the second best record in the National League. He hit .223 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI this year.

A pair of young players will look to help the St. Louis Cardinals in reserve roles. Outfielder Allen Craig (Alexandria ‘03/05) batted .315 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in a part-time role this season.

Infielder Daniel Descalso (Wisconsin ’06) played in 148 games this year for the Cardinals. The defensive specialist hit .264 with one home run and 28 RBIs.