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Washington Nationals vs. New York Giants: Predicting the Final Score of NLDS Game 3

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By @schwick26_pete

San Francisco Giants Buster Posey

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After an epic game-two battle, game-three of the National League Division Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Washington Nationals looks to be just as good. The Giants will put Madison Bumgarner on the mound coming off his stellar complete game shutout, eliminating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. He will face the Nationals’ Doug Fister, who has not only been arguably the Nationals best pitcher this season, but a pitcher who has plenty of successful postseason experience over the last three years.

Throughout the first two games of their series, pitching has dominated as only eight combined runs have been scored. Through these games, only one everyday National and two everyday Giants have a batting average over .300 as pitching has ruled. With a great pitching matchup in store, it would be expected that runs would again come at a premium on Monday.

But this postseason has been anything but predictable. Although both pitchers are among the best in the game and have an ERA below three against their opponents, I expect a runfest. These two offenses are simply too good to be shutdown for long. Both teams are among leaders in both batting average and runs scored in the National League and they will not spend the entire series quiet.

Although the starters are great, they will not be involved in the decision. The bullpens were taxed for 18 innings on Saturday night, but they will fare in the outcome on Monday, too. The bats will be awakened as both teams storm out of the gates scoring early to knock the starters out before five.

While the rest of the Giants will also come out swinging, Buster Posey who already has six hits in the series will be the difference maker. Already a two-time champion, the 2012 MVP has put the team on his back during the second half and will remain hot on his mission to his third title in five years.

Just like the previous two games in the series, it won’t be easy, but the Nationals will be unable to recover from their marathon loss as the Giants return home to a 7-4 series clinching victory.

Pete Schwichtenberg is a MLB writer for Rantsports. Follow @schwick26_pete, Like him on Facebook or add him to your Google Network.

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