St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 1: Predicting the Final Score
Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports
Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers gets underway on Friday, and one thing is certain.
If you think this will be a high-scoring game, then you don’t know the two pitchers taking part.
The Cardinals will send Adam Wainwright to the hill to face Clayton Kershaw, the likely Cy Young Award winner and Most Valuable Player in the NL. It is a matchup of two of the NL’s elite outstanding pitchers, and as a result this should be a low-scoring contest.
Which team gains the upper hand?
Kershaw compiled a 21-3 record and 1.77 earned run average on the way to one of the finest seasons a Dodgers pitcher has experienced. His stellar numbers evoked the great years of Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser. He started two games against the Cardinals and won one to go with a 1.93 ERA. The Cardinals hit .220 against Kershaw, and this suggests signs of a struggle ahead.
Wainwright, on the other hand, didn’t do much to discourage his fans. He made one start against the Dodgers and lost it, despite a 1.13 ERA and five innings pitched. This suggests that hitting will be at a premium in the game, and whichever team strikes first will likely be the one to win. The Dodgers have plenty of opportunities in the lineup to hit, including Yasiel Puig, Dee Gordon and Matt Kemp, and since the game is at Dodger Stadium, that could provide more opportunities for LA to show off the bats.
If the Cardinals don’t get a lot of production from players like Matt Holliday and Matt Adams, then it could be a long game. These are the top hitters on the St. Louis roster, and whether or not there is a breakout hitter in the vein of Allen Craig or David Freese is not known.
With this game in Los Angeles, my prediction is that the Dodgers strike first and the run stands up. Actually, the Dodgers will put more than one run on the board, but not much more.
Final score: Los Angeles 2, St. Louis 0
Bochy’s Hospital Scare Nothing To Worry About
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy’s hospital scare is nothing to be seriously worried about. Read More
Prediction of Mets' Entire 25-Man Roster
There will be plenty of battles for a spot on the New York Mets' 25-man roster this spring. Find out who I think makes the team and who doesn't. Read More
5 San Francisco Giants Spring Training Storylines
Defending World Series champions are always interesting to watch the next spring. The Giants are no exception. Read More
Predicting the Giants' Opening Day Lineup
How will the Giants' championship lineup do without slugger Pablo Sandoval? Read More
5 Biggest Marlins X-Factors Heading Into 2015
After signing Giancarlo Stanton to a record-breaking contract, management needed to surround him with some new talent. They did, and many new faces will now have to perform for Miami in 2015. Read More
5 Tigers Rookies To Watch In Spring Training
Here are five Detroit Tigers rookies who are worth keeping tabs on in spring training. Read More
Cubs Have Legit Hope For Playoff Berth In 2015
Nobody should be calling the Chicago Cubs World Series favorites, but they're much improved for 2015. That means they should be playing meaningful games late in the season. Read More
5 Pirates' Position Battles To Watch This Spring
Here are five position battles to watch out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' camp in spring training of 2015. Read More
Remarks By Phillies' Hamels Doubt GM Amaro
Only one day after Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said Cole Hamels never mentioned to him a desire to be traded, Hamels said he wanted to be moved. Boy, does that reflect badly on management. Read More
10 Best Shortstops In MLB Heading Into 2015
Shortstop is a premier position in baseball, and MLB is stacked with talent at that spot. Here are the 10 best shortstops in the league heading into the 2015 season. Read More
Yankees Should Go With Betances In Closer's Role
Although the New York Yankees can't really go wrong with the newly-signed Andrew Miller in the ninth inning, Dellin Betances is the team's best option at closer, Read More
Minnesota Twins: Opening Day Lineup Prediction
Their pitchers and catchers will report to Florida soon, so here is my pre-spring training Opening Day lineup prediction for the Minnesota Twins. Read More