For these two teams it’s simple: it all comes down to one game. You win this game, you move on. You lose this game, and your October is filled with disappointment and “what-ifs”. When the MLB first released this new Wild Card format, I was a little taken back by it. I thought, “Jesus, one game to advance, why not a three game series?”. Then I remembered something. Baseball in October is about the dramatics; it’s about making history’ it’s about becoming a true legend. These two teams have the opportunity to prove to the world that they belong in the Hunt for the World Series Championship. Only one team will advance? Who will it be?
Last year’s World Series Champions have found their way back into the post season with an 88-74 record, good enough for second place in the NL Central. To be perfectly honest, the Cardinals are a pretty complete team and their team statistics speak for themselves: 5th in Runs, 4th in Batting Average, 1st in OBP, 9th in Slugging, 8th in ERA, 2nd in QS, 11th in WHIP, and 18th in BAA. With such a well rounded team, its hard not to make them the favorite in this game. However, as many people know, the postseason usually comes down to good, no GREAT, pitching. The Cardinals know this all too well (i.e. Chris Carpenter of last season). On paper, the Cardinals have one of the best rotations in the playoffs (Wainwright, Loshe, Garcia, Westbrook, and Carpenter), however, this rotation isn’t 100% healthy. In a MUST win game tonight, the Cards are starting veteran right-hander Kyle Loshe. Although he’s had an incredibly solid year (2.86 ERA, 16-3, 143K, 1.09 WHIP), I’m not too sure I want a guy who sports a 5.54 ERA in the post season to be my must win pitcher. If the Cardinals can score runs in this game, they’ll probably win. The likelihood of that happening is slim to none with a true ace going for Atlanta.
The Braves have had a storybook season in this the final season of Chipper Jones’ illustrious career. Eliminated by the Phillies last year in one of the most epic collapses in regular season history, the Atlanta Braves did everything the Boston Red Sox haven’t this year. They faced adversity right in the face and proved that they are trully a great organization by going 94-68 in a 2nd place showing to the Washington Natitonals, good enough for the third best record in the National League. If you have to give an advantage to which side of the ball the Braves are better at, you have to go with pitching, ranking 5th in ERA, 20th in QS, 4th in WHIP, and 4th in BAA. Those stats mean something: an incredibly dominate bullpen. The Braves have, most likely, the best closer in the game in Craig Kimbrel, who’s been shutting batters down at an alarming rate since the all star break. However most importantly, they have this stud named Kris Medlen who has carried this team the past three months. With an accurate fastball, a deadly changeup, and a loopy curveball, this guy has been near unhittable since being called to the rotation (sporting a sub 1.00 ERA!!!). Oh, and did I mention, the Braves have won 23 consecutive starts by Kris Medlen. When it comes to “must win” pitchers, I’ve got to give the nod to Kris Medlen and the Braves as they send the St. Louis Cardinals home for the off season.
SCORE: Cardinals 2- Atlanta 4
Impact Pitcher: Kris Medlen (7IP 1ER, 8Ks, 2BB)
Impact Hitter: Micheal Bourn(1/2, 2BB, 1 run, 1 SB)
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