The National League Division Series Is Almost Here.
The 2019 National League Division series is almost here. We could be in for a very interesting start to the MLB playoffs on Thursday.
The Cardinals-Braves and Nationals-Cardinals faceoff on Thursday and I have the game 1 preview for both NLDS series.
Cardinals-Braves.
STL
Miles Mikolas
9-14, 4.16 ERA, 144 Strikeouts.
ATL
Dallas Keuchel
8-8 3.75 ERA, 91 Strikeouts.
For Dallas Keuchel, it's his 11th career postseason start. He's 0-2 with a 10.03 ERA in three appearances {2 starts}. But the felling for the Braves is very good because they do have a veteran pitcher going on Thursday and everybody's thinking about what Keuchel did for the Astros 2 years ago.
We will see what Keuchel can do in the opening game.
Now as for Miles Mikolas, he's 2-1 with a 3.03 ERA over his last six starts. He got thrown into starting game one because Jack Flaherty stated the clinching game against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The issue with Mikolas is his record against the Braves. He's 1-2 with a 2.61 ERA in four career appearances {3 starts} against the Braves. Now the Cardinals are taking their chances with a pitcher making his postseason debut. Mikolas could be the answer for the Cardinals if they want to knock off the Braves.
Both teams are facing serious health issues going into game 1 on Thursday.
The St Louis Cardinals, 2B Kelton Wong has been out since September 19th with a strained left hamstring, he's expected to be in the lineup.
Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt, has announced that Staring Pitcher Michael Wacha is not in the rotation for the Division series because of a shoulder injury.
The Braves are really going to be banking on 1B Freddie Freeman, Centerfielder Ronald Acuna Jr will be back from injury, and that will put the Braves at full strength.
National-Dodgers.
WSH
Patrick Corbin
14-7 3.25 ERA, 238 Strikeouts.
LAD
Walker Buehler
14-4 3.26 ERA, 215 Strikeouts.
This series is going to be interesting because I thought for sure Clayton Kershaw would get the start, however Kershaw will be going in game 2. And if you look at how both teams got here you'll be thinking, NO WAY!!!!!.
Patrick Corbin, he has a 5-9 record all time against the Dodgers over 21 appearances {19 starts} against the Dodgers. But the question is can he get it done on the big stage, we will see.
Walker Buehler, he's 0-1 with a 3.35 ERA in three appearances {2 starts} against the Nationals. What can Buehler do on Thursday, will have to wait and see.
There's a Huge difference in how the Dodgers and Nationals got here in the 1st place.
LA Dodgers, they were 39-19 before the end of June and never looked back in the NL West. And yes they have NL MVP Candidate Cody Bellinger going home run crazy and the Dodgers had no trouble getting into the post season.
Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts out it at best, okay boys it's time to play and get the job done.
The Washington Nationals had a bad start to the season, they were 24-33 at the end of may. Nationals Manger Davey Martinez was on the verge of getting fired, and with no Bryce Harper to save them on offense the Nationals could not get going at all.
Flash forward to June. the Nationals went 18-8 and went 46-27 in the 2nd half of the season. They also had to come from behind to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild-Card game 4-3. The Nationals are riding a wave of destiny going into the League Division Series against the Dodgers.
Can The Nationals keep it up, we will see.
Here are my Predictions..
Cardinals-Braves..
The Cardinals are on a roll and the Braves are having some trouble with their health.
My Opinion, This series is going the distance, The Braves In 5.
Nationals-Dodgers.
This is a no brainer in my opinion, no disrespect to the Nationals, But I have the Dodgers in 4 Games.
Bottom Line.
