MLB Playoffs: NLDS Game 4 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals takes place on Tuesday night on FS1. It is an elimination game as this is just a five-game series. The teams split their first two games in Los Angeles while Game 3 is tonight in St. Louis as Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu going up against Cardinals righty John Lackey.
On Tuesday for Game 4, the Cardinals could end up as home favorites if the pitching matchup ends up as Dan Haren against Shelby Miller.
Will the Aces go on Short Rest?
Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright pitched in Game 1 of this series so there is a chance they could come back and pitch on three days rest. Both managers have said they don’t want to bring back their top pitchers on short rest. Kershaw has never done well pitching on short rest in his career but if the Dodgers are facing elimination the temptation to bring him back on short rest will be high since the Dodgers could be stuck going with Dan Haren in this game. The Cardinals seem unlikely to bring back Wainwright on short rest no matter the situation. “I wouldn’t rule it out.” manager Mike Matheny said, “At this point, I would say it’s not highly likely.”
If neither team brings back their aces then it would probably be Haren against Miller on Tuesday. The advantage would be with the Cardinals if that is the case as Haren has been poor on the road this season with an ERA of nearly five while Miller has been excellent of late with an ERA of less than two in his last four starts.
Series Notes
These teams have gone back and forth in the past few years in this series. They had split the last ten meetings before Monday’s contest. The Cardinals had won six of the last ten at home in the series with the games low scoring in St. Louis with five of the last seven going under.
MLB Playoff Predictions
We’ll look for the Cardinals to take the next two at home with Game 3 on Monday and Game 4 on Tuesday to grab the series.
