Predicting the Final Score of Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals NLDS Game 4
Jeff Curry — USA TODAY Sports
A two-run homer by Kolten Wong propelled the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
It also set up what could be a potential trap game for the Dodgers, because they are hurrying back an ace pitcher on short rest.
It should come as no surprise that Clayton Kershaw was tapped to start Game 4 on Tuesday. It is a chance for Kershaw to redeem himself following an abysmal performance in Game 1 on Friday.
Could Kershaw follow that out-of-character outing with another bad performance?
The answer is not likely.
Even though Kershaw was terrible in the first game of the series, he’s still coming off a season that saw the Cy Young Award favorite and NL MVP contender go 21-3 with a 1.77 earned run average. Kershaw has had his share of fantastic games, and no one will be surprised to see him have one on Tuesday.
The odds of Kershaw getting his Dodgers to Game 5 are even better because Shelby Miller is on the hill for the Cardinals. Miller has had some struggles this season, and whether or not the Cardinals have a chance depends on which Miller shows up.
Will it be the Miller that went 7-8 with a 4.29 ERA during the first half of the season? Or will it be the Miller that had a 2.92 ERA in the second half of the year? Will it be the Miller who allowed a .201 opponent batting average?
Whatever the case, expect to see Andre Ethier get an at-bat or two in this game. Ethier is the only Dodger to get a home run off Miller this season, but Adrian Gonzalez, Dee Gordon and Matt Kemp have gotten two hits apiece.
All indications are the Dodgers win this game and send the series back to LA for a fifth and deciding contest.
Projected final: LA Dodgers 4, St. Louis Cardinals 2
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