Dodgers Cardinals Wild Card Preview
By Kendall McKee
-Dodgers won the regular-season series 4-3 -These two historic teams have played each other 2,091 times, and the overall series is nearly DEAD EVEN at 1,047 to 1,044 in favor of the Cardinals -They have met in the playoffs 23 times, with the Cardinals taking 14 of those games.
Tale of the Tape
Combined Season Stats: 30 Starts, 2.46 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 236 K's in 179.1 Innings, 2.97 FIP 2021 Dodgers Stats - 11 Starts, 1.98 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 89 K's in 68.1 Innings, 1.96 FIP Last Start vs. Cardinals (Sept. 6): 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BB, 13 K's
Dodgers Starter: Max Scherzer
Season Stats: 32 Starts, 3.05 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 174 K's in 206.1IP, 3.66 FIP Last Start vs. Dodgers (Sept. 8): 8.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BB, 4 K's
Cardinals Starter: Adam Wainwright
Since September 1st: -Tyler O'Neill: .328/.377/.731(1.108 OPS), 13 HR, 31 RBI, 191 wRC+ -Paul Goldschmidt: .330/.424/.670 (1.094 OPS), 9 HR, 20 RBI, 189 wRC+
St. Louis Hottest Hitters
Since September 1st: -Corey Seager: .385/.463/.712 (1.174 OPS), 9 HR, 21 RBI, 210 wRC+ (Ranks 1st in Baseball) -Trea Turner: .353/.406/.638 (1.044 OPS), 8 HR, 21 RBI, 177 wRC+
Los Angeles Hottest Hitters
-Alex Reyes: 69 Games, 72.1 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 4.40 FIP -Genesis Cabrera: 71 Games, 70 IP, 3.73 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.28 FIP -Giovanny Gallegos: 73 Games, 80.1IP, 3.02 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 2.75 FIP
Cardinals Bullpen Options
-Kenley Jansen: 69 Games, 69 IP, 2.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 3.08 FIP -Blake Treinen: 72 Games, 72.1 IP, 1.99 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 2.88 FIP -Brusdar Graterol: 17 Games, 32.1 IP, 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.70 FIP -Joe Kelly: 48 Games, 44 IP, 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 3.08 FIP
Dodgers Bullpen Options
Strengths: -Adam Wainright has been untouchable in the second half (2.50 ERA) - MLB's Best Defense (1st in OAA and DRS) -Momentum from the recent 17-game win streak is still palpable with veteran leadership. Weaknesses: -Pitch to contact and lack strikeout numbers. (Dodgers had 4th most HR in 2021)
Cardinals Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths: - Max Scherzer loves the big game. -Trea Turner has said "He's already angry". -They have studs all over the field (8 players with wRC+ over 100) -Elite bullpen Weaknesses: -Cody Bellinger (48 wRC+) and the centerfield spot. - Max Muncy injury (out for WC Game)
Dodgers Strengths and Weaknesses