By: Nick LaPorte, 10/5/2019
We’ve finished the first leg of each NLDS, with each series tied at 1-1. The Dodgers and Nationals split, with Stephen Strasburg leading the charge for a big win. The Braves blew a 3-0 lead in game 1, but bounced back with a shutout to even the series. Here’s how we got here, and where each series is headed.
#1 Dodgers vs. WC Nationals, Tied 1-1
Walker Beuhler pitched game 1 for the Dodgers, and his stuff was electric. There’s no doubt left who their ace is; Kershaw and Ryu aren’t bad themselves but the sophomore fireballer has proven he can win in October. The Nationals managed just 2 hits, and no runs, in a dominant 6-0 game from the Dodgers’ vaunted pitching staff.
It didn’t take long for the Nationals to even the series though, on the back of their aces Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer. This time, Scherzer came in as a reliever and struck out the side, after Strasburg and Sean Doolittle combined for 7 innings of 1-run ball. Strasburg was untouchable through 5, retiring 14 in a row to start. The Nationals did just enough offensively, with MVP-candidate Anthony Rendon driving in a run to secure a split in LA.
Now, we head back to DC. The Dodgers will throw Hyun-Jin Ryu against Scherzer, in a matchup of 2 All-Stars. Scherzer was roughed up in the Wild Card game, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings, but his scoreless inning of relief in game 2 bodes well for the Nationals. If he finds a way to keep the ball in the park, the Nationals stand a good chance. Ryu was the ERA-leader for 3.5 months before a sluggish second half, but he still will finish in the top-5 of Cy Young voting. It’ll be down to the bats, and that’s anyone’s guess. Expect this series to go the full 5, the teams are closely matched.
#2 Braves vs. #3 Cardinals, Tied 1-1
Freddie Freeman leads a resurgent Braves squad that’s made the playoffs in back-to-back years against a Cardinals team that played .650 ball in the second half. The Cardinals took game 1 late, with a serious offensive explosion, and held on to a 7-6 win. Starter Miles Mikolas looked shaky but their bats found a way. The Braves didn’t die easily though, and they carried that mentality into game 2.
With Mike Foltynewicz on the hill, the Braves felt confident. He was their ace in 2018 and he was healthy, and he responded with a shutout. The Braves bullpen finished the job, and the Cardinals found themselves in an even series quickly. Freeman continues to be the best player on either team, and as long as the Braves can hit they will remain competitive. The Cardinals need Paul Goldschmidt on their end to match Freeman; right now, there’s no doubt who the better 1B is.
This series could go 5 games as well. The Cardinals love playing at home, and their pitching staff still includes veteran Adam Wainwright, who takes the mound for game 3. I expect Kolten Wong and Tommy Edman to find a way to get on base, and it’ll be up to Goldschmidt and Marcelo Ozuna to capitalize. The Braves have proved that they learned from last year’s 3-1 series loss to LA; they don’t just look ready, they look like serious contenders. Both NLDS matchups have lived up to the hype so far, now we head to DC and St. Louis respectively to find out what teams are serious about making the NLCS.
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