Tale of the Tape: NLCS Game 5 Adam Wainwright, Cardinals Against the Giants 2014: 2 GS, 1-1, 5.25 ERA Career: 12 G, 10 GS, 5-5, 3.11 ERA Loves to face: Gregor Blanco, 3-for-23, 2 K Hates to face: Pablo Sandoval, 8-for-23, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB Game breakdown Why hell win: Because hes due. Wainwright is winless in his last five postseason starts (dating back to last seasons NLDS), a streak too long for one of baseballs best pitchers. Pitcher beware: Wainwright hasnt been the same pitcher this postseason. In both of his playoff starts this year, he hasnt escaped the fifth inning while allowing opponents to post a .405/.458/.524 line against him. Bottom line: For the Cardinals to grab a key Game 5 victory, theyll need their ace to snap back into form. That means at the very least finishing five innings. Madison Bumgarner, Giants Against the Cardinals 2014: 2 GS, 1-1, 3.00 ERA Career: 7 GS, 3-4, 3.97 ERA Loves to face: Matt Holliday, 3-for-21, 5 K Hates to face: Jon Jay, 8-for-16, 3 2B, 3 RBI, BB Game breakdown Why hell win: Bumgarner is perhaps the hottest pitcher this postseason, and he carries a 0.76 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP (in three playoff starts) into Game 5. His shortest outing this postseason was a seven-inning effort in the NLDS. Pitcher beware: Bumgarner has surprisingly struggled to pitch effectively in San Francisco this season, owning a 4.03 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in pitcher-friendly AT&T Park. He hasnt won at home in more than a month. Bottom line: Bumgarner gives the Giants the best chance to win in Game 5, dominating hitters this October with a 23-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 19:05:03 +0000
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