NL Division Series: Breaking down Dodgers vs. Cardinals
A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals:
- Game 1: Cardinals 10, Dodgers 9
- Game 2: Dodgers 3, Cardinals 2
- Game 3: Cardinals 3, Dodgers 1
- Game 4: Oct. 7 -- L.A. Dodgers at St. Louis
- Game 5*: Oct. 9 -- St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers
In the Dodgers' favor: They've got a guy named Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw should win the Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote, and likely the MVP, too. The Dodgers are 20-1 in his last 21 starts, with Kershaw going 18-1 with a 1.69 ERA.
In the Cardinals' favor: Well, if Kershaw is the Hertz of pitchers the last four years, Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright certainly is Avis. He has won at least 19 games in four of his last five years and had another brilliant year this season, going 20-9 with a 2.38 ERA. The Cardinals also have a fabulous No. 2 starter in Lance Lynn, who has gone 15-10 each of the past two seasons, with a 2.74 ERA this year.
Watch this guy: Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, who missed last year's playoffs with a sprained ankle, is coming off his best month in two years, hitting .322 with nine homers and 25 RBI in September. He loves the spotlight, and the spotlight loves him.
In the end: The Cardinals figure if they can win one of two games in L.A., they can close out the series by winning Games 3 and 4 with John Lackey and Shelby Miller. And if they win Game 1 against Kershaw, the series might be over. The Dodgers have the star power, but the Cardinals have the balance, and certainly a more reliable bullpen. St. Louis in four.