Baseball Chat

[RDG013]

Arrieta cannot pitch until Game 3. Cardinals have a very good and deep rotation.

While Arrieta is without question the best pitcher in the series, once again, can't go until Game 3. Lackey, Martinez and Lynn were all better to considerably better than Lester and by far superior to Haren. So, Jake may only pitch one game in the series. I guess if Cubs get it to Game 7, where he could pitch again, it would be advantage Cubs, but with the stronger front three overall and much stronger front two in the series, Cards should not let it get to a Game 7.

Grinding out 162 games is a different kettle of fish than winning a short series. Used to be that 2 hot arms could get it done, ie Schilling and the Unit. Last year Bumgarner changed all that.

The games so far this post season map it out clearly: if your ace is on you win (Arrieta, Keuschel). If your ace gets hit you lose (Price, Cole). IMO, the Cubs put up stronger aces than the Cards. Like the Yanks, the Cards pen is awesome but it doesn't matter when you're losing in the 7th.