NLDS 2016: Keys for All 4 NL Teams to Win Game 4

Those seeking drama this MLB postseason need to turn their attention to the National League. Both the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays swept their respective division series, while the two NLCS teams have yet to be determined.

Both the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are facing elimination. They'll play with urgency, but that alone won't get them to Game 5.

What exactly will?

Washington Nationals

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1. Pitch well in the first inning.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have scored a run in the first inning in each of the first three games of the NLDS. As a result, the Nationals have found themselves trailing in each game.

Though the team was able to rally to win the last two games, it's hardly a formula for long-term winning.

In a potential series-clinching game for Washington, it needs to try to steal the lead early.

2. Trea Turner needs to get on base.

Rookie outfielder Trea Turner was outstanding this season, hitting .342/.370/.567. But in Game 4, the Nationals will need his bat to come to life.

Turner is hitting .250/.286/.250 this series, and it's hurting a Washington team that has second baseman Daniel Murphy and outfielder Jayson Werth hitting well behind him.

Werth had a three-hit game in Game 3 on Monday but only two RBI. Werth doubled Turner home after the latter's trip to the basepath.

3. Play it like an elimination game.

Whenever a team knows it has a chance to clinch a series at home, as is the case if the Dodgers are able to force a Game 5, there's danger that the team in question could get complacent.

In the Nationals' case, the team would be wise to take the opposite attitude: Play the game as if it already is Game 5.

There's nothing like urgency to focus a team. Facing elimination, the Dodgers certainly feel it. The Nationals will need to find some way to match that, especially in front of a raucous crowd at Dodger Stadium that is certain to fuel its team.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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1. Hit with runners in scoring position and create more opportunities.

In Game 3, the Dodgers went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The fact that Los Angeles created so few run-scoring opportunities—eight times the Nationals came to the plate with runners in scoring position—only underscores the need to hit better in those situations.

Of course, a team's average with runners in scoring position isn't the only key to scoring runs. The more opportunities the Dodgers create, the likelier they are to score.

One way to do that might be to try to walk more. Los Angeles only drew two walks in Monday's Game 3.

2. Kenley Jansen needs to clear his mind.

With his team trailing by a run heading into the ninth inning, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected to use closer Kenley Jansen. In the playoffs, it's not uncommon for a manager to use his closer—in theory, every bullpen's best shutdown pitcher—in a non-save situation.

But Jansen, who saved 47 regular-season games and was playing in unfamiliar territory, allowed four runs on two hits, including a homer, on Monday.

The Dodgers will need Jansen if they're to win Game 4. Expect to see Jansen in the ninth inning if Los Angeles is either tied or in the lead. They'll need him to forget about his poor performance on Monday and allow the guy with a 1.83 ERA and 0.67 WHIP in the regular season to show up in a crucial situation.

3. Punish the Nationals for pitching around Justin Turner.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is slashing .500/.692/.875, swinging easily the hottest bat for Los Angeles. The team's next-best hitter this postseason, Howie Kendrick, is hitting .250.

So the Nationals elected to pitch around Tuner. He drew both of the Dodgers' aforementioned walks on Monday and went without a hit. Nationals pitchers didn't leave him much to hit.

Assuming Washington will again employ this strategy, whoever hits behind Turner—it was shortstop Corey Seager on Monday—will need to hit. Not only would that advance Turner on the basepaths, but it would also force the Nationals to pitch to him.

Chicago Cubs

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1. Score early.

After an emotional, extra-inning win in Game 3 on Monday night, the San Francisco Giants will undoubtedly be riding an emotional high. The crowd is certain to be energetic from the first pitch.

It's important that the Cubs crush that spirit early.

2. Who besides Kris Bryant will step up?

Other than third baseman Kris Bryant, who hit second Monday, the five other top-six hitters for the Cubs combined for only three hits.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who hit third, has not been on base all series. He struck out twice on Monday, and the Cubs hit 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The team's best run producer on Monday night: starting pitcher Jake Arrieta.

Arrieta hit a three-run homer in the second inning off Giants starter Madison Bumgarner.

But the Cubs cannot count on pitchers to be their best run producers. If the lineup plays as it did offensively in Game 4, the Cubs will find themselves headed back to Wrigley Field for a decisive Game 5.

3. Defend the gaps.

The Giants' AT&T Park is known for its expansive outfield, which is tough to defend. The Cubs need to do a better job of cutting off balls in the gaps.

San Francisco, a team not known for its ability to hit home runs, was able to generate offense by hitting balls in the gaps and taking bases aggressively. San Francisco leadoff hitter Denard Span doubled, tripled and scored twice.

Solid outfield defense is as good an asset as any at AT&T Park.

San Francisco Giants

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1. Close out the game.

A three-run eighth inning in Game 3 gave the Giants a two-run lead heading into the ninth. But Sergio Romo, brought on to close the game, gave up a two-run homer to Bryant, which forced extra innings.

The bullpen was a point of contention for the Giants in the final month of the season. As a whole, it will need to be more reliable in the late innings. It is important to note, however, that Romo's two runs were the only scores San Francisco's bullpen allowed Monday night.

2. Continue to hit well with runners in scoring position.

Late-game heroics may have saved the Giants' 2016 season Monday night as they faced elimination. But the game was decided by how well each team hit with runners in scoring position.

In Game 3, San Francisco hit .400 with runners in scoring position—an average that is certain to win almost any playoff game. If the Giants are able to replicate that performance in Tuesday's Game 4, odds are the two teams will be headed back to Chicago for Game 5.

3. Get ahead of hitters.

Given the struggles the Giants bullpen has undergone over the last month, the Cubs' strategy Monday night was to get to the bullpen as early as possible.

Sure, Bumgarner did not have his best stuff. But the Cubs were able to effectively run up his pitch count early. Bumgarner exited the game after throwing five innings and 101 pitches.

Monday's 13-inning game is certain to limit each team's bullpen in Game 4. So Giants starter Matt Moore needs to focus on efficiency and get deep into the game.