Dodgers bullpen implodes, Wong's HR the difference
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Breaking down Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium.
Box score: Cardinals 3, Dodgers 1, Cardinals lead the series 2-1.
The St. Louis Cardinals have discovered the magical formula now to beat the Dodgers, and they're rubbing it in.
Let Matt Carpenter hit.
Let the Dodgers bullpen pitch.
Carpenter once again tormented the Dodgers with another homer and double, giving him three homers and seven RBI in three games.
And the Dodgers' bullpen once again imploded, ruining Hyun-Jin Ryu's seven-inning performance, and coughing up three runs in just two innings.
The Dodgers' bullpen now has given up six earned runs in just six innings, with no one reliable but closer Kenley Jansen.
The Dodgers now will go with ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest to try to save their season, but no matter that they have the biggest payroll in history, it's pretty tough to win when you can count on only three starters.
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State of the series: The Cardinals are in full command. Sure, Kershaw is starting in Game 4 for the Dodgers, but he has given up 15 earned runs in his two postseason starts against the Cardinals. The Cardinals will be going with Shelby Miller, who was on the playoff roster all last year, but never pitched in a game. Look for a high-scoring game, and the Cardinals wrapping up their fourth consecutive NLCS appearance.
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Game 2 pivotal point: Dodgers manager Don Mattingly took out Ryu after seven innings, forcing the bullpen into action. It was all the Cardinals needed. Yadier Molina led off with a walk, Jon Jay sacrificed him to third base, and rookie Kolten Wong hit a 407-foot homer into the Cardinals' bullpen, breaking the 1-1 tie.
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Man of the moment: Lost in the shuffle was John Lackey. He's the guy the Cardinals grabbed for moments like this. He's the one who delivered. He gave up five hits and one run in seven innings, and left the Dodgers screaming in frustration, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
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Needing a mulligan: The Dodgers' bullpen. Why, take out closer Kenley Jansen, and the Dodgers don't have a single reliever they can count on. Then, again, it's been the same all season and the Dodgers couldn't come up with a reliever at the trade deadline. They're paying the price now.
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What you missed on TV: There was a slight drizzle during the game, but with the weather turning cool, and forecast for heavier rain late in the evening, it was still hard to find a soul who headed early to the exits.
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Gambling managers: Dodgers manager Don Mattingly pulled starter Hyun-Jin Ryu after six innings, and the Cardinals immediately took advantage, with two runs in the seventh. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny pulled starter John Lackey after seven innings, and survived, with Pat Neshek pitching a scoreless eighth and closer Trevor Rosenthal hanging on for dear life in the ninth.
GALLERY: NLDS - CARDINALS vs. DODGERS