This series is VITAL for both of these teams. With the Brewers in control of the first NL Wild Card spot and the Cardinals two games up on the Dodgers for the second spot, these are must-win games. The Cardinals could really expand their lead in this four-game set, or completely falter.
This should be a very exciting series. and one that baseball fans everywhere have their eyes on.
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Los Angeles Dodgers
These guys haven’t been as good as we expected them to be down the stretch, which is pretty disappointing. Injuries have taken their toll and while they are definitely missing Corey Seager the roster they have should be doing better than it is. Matt Kemp has cooled off tremendously, and Manny Machado has also been tremendously underperforming. There a lot of guys on this team who are going to have to start stepping up their game to give them a chance. The craziest stat is that no pitcher on this team has more than eight wins.
They will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound for his 23rd start of the season. He is in line to have a single digit number of wins for the first time since 2009, also the last season he didn’t throw a complete game. he has gone 7-5, posting a 2.42 ERA in 137 1/3 innings of work.
He has 134 strikeouts and just 24 walks. This will, unfortunately, be the third year in a row he has started fewer than 28 games, something very concerning moving forward. Kershaw looked good against the Rockies in his last start, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings with six strikeouts against the Rockies.
St. Louis Cardinals
The second wild card team in the NL as of now, it has been a roller coaster year for this team. Ever since replacing Mike Matheny with Mike Shildt, there has been a shift in the team’s mindset and performance. They have been one of baseball’s best. 35 home runs and 40 doubles have made Matt Carpenter a fantastic player for this team, and without a doubt the offensive MVP. Jose Martinez and his .304 average have been vital to their success. Miles Mokolas has turned in an extremely impressive season, the team’s unexpected ace leading the pitching charge. 15-4 with a sub-3.00 ERA. One word: WOW.
They will send rookie pitcher Austin Gomber to the mound for his 26th appearance (ninth start) of the season. In his last start against the Tigers, he allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out six while walking three. With 51 strikeouts and 27 walks in 61 1/3 innings of work, he has been solid. Gomber has posteds a 5-0 record with a 2.93 ERA.
Cardinals take down Kershaw, win first game of crucial series
Matt Carpenter will launch home run number thirty-six to help lead the Cardinals to victory in the series opener. With both team’s fighting for their playoff lives, they will start strong.
Clayton Kershaw will struggle in this road start as his team falls prey to St. Louis.
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