In what is shaping up to be the only competitive Division Series of the 2014 MLB playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers will head east to where the St. Louis Cardinals are set to host Game 3 of their NLDS.
With both American League Division Series already wrapped up after sweeps and the San Francisco Giants having a 2-0 lead over the Washington Nationals in the other NLDS, the Dodgers and Cardinals appear to be the only teams giving fans their money’s worth.
Game 1 of the series was no exception. With two Cy Young worthy pitchers on the mound in the form of Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright, many had this game pegged as a low scoring pitcher’s duel. It was anything but that in a 10-9 final that saw the Cards escape with a road win and the series lead.
Game 2 was a bit more tame. Starters Zack Greinke and Lance Lynn both logged quality starts, and the Dodgers did not take a 3-2 lead in the game until a Matt Kemp home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the series at a game apiece.
Tonight, the Dodgers send Hyun-jin Ryu (14-7, 3.38) out to face veteran 35-year-old trade deadline acquisition John Lackey (14-10, 3.82). The two have fairly similar regular season numbers. Where the separation can be found is in Lackey’s experience. He has logged over 100 postseason innings in his career, where as Ryu — in only his second full MLB season — has logged 10 playoff innings.
Three of those came for Ryu in a 2013 NLDS start against the Atlanta Braves where he was lit up across only three innings of work. Lackey, meanwhile, holds a 3.03 career ERA in the postseason.
With home-field advantage swinging in Lackey and the Cardinals’ favor, expect this game to not be decided until the latter innings when the bullpen has assumed the pitching duties. The Dodgers’ speed on the base paths and ability to get runners into scoring position should factor prominently into this game.
Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal was shaky in Game 1. He allowed an earned run and the tying run to reach third base before striking out Yasiel Puig to secure the victory.
This game will be another low scoring affair, with the Dodgers mounting a slim lead in the later innings of the game and leaning on Kenley Jansen to deliver in his second save opportunity of the playoffs. Final score: 4-2 Dodgers.
Jordan Wevers is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanWevers, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
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