How the St. Louis Cardinals Match Up Against Every Potential NL Playoff Team

The St. Louis Cardinals have had a successful 2013 so far, and they are a team that knows success in the playoffs.

Looking towards October, what are their chances of earning trophy No. 12? Well, first they have to get through some pretty scary NL opponents.

This article breaks down the potential playoff matchups between the Cardinals and every NL team currently holding a contending spot, analyzing batting and pitching to determine what team ultimately has the upper hand. 

But before diving in, here are some things to consider:

• The Cardinals' playoff rotation is still up in the air.
• Allen Craig may or may not make a return before the end of the year, as per The Associated Press (via ESPN).
• The Cardinals in general are a very experienced team.
• They can grind at-bats under pressure with the best of them.
• Their young arms, on the other hand, may grow tired in these last couple months.

Without further ado, read on to see which team poses the biggest threat.

*All statistics are current on baseball-reference.com as of September 11, 2013.*

Los Angeles Dodgers

2013 Record Against St. Louis: 4-3

Perhaps the most formidable of the Cardinals' potential opponents, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been extremely dominant in the second half. The Cards have performed well against them this year, but it's hard to stop a moving train. This is experience vs. momentum.

Batting

Dodgers' Notable Statistics: .266 Team BA, 592 Runs Scored, .280 Team BA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: .268 Team BA, 697 Runs Scored, .237 Team BA Against Dodgers

On paper, these two seem pretty evenly matched—close team batting averages and a lot of big names in the lineups from Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez on the blue side to Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina on the red. That's even without L.A.'s Matt Kemp and St. Louis's Craig out due to injury (Kemp may also return by the playoffs).

These teams, though, have different strengths at the plate, which is somewhat ironic since they've shared a hitting coach over the past couple of years in Mark McGwire. The Dodgers like the long ball, and the Cardinals favor extra base hits strung together.

L.A. has a slight upper-hand, as homers can single-handedly win a ballgame. But don't underestimate the Redbirds' ability to grind out a win.

Pitching

Dodgers' Notable Statistics: 3.08 ERA from Starters, 3.49 ERA from Relievers, 3.05 Team ERA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 3.52 ERA from Starters, 3.52 ERA from Relievers, 4.21 Team ERA Against Dodgers

The Dodgers' rotation also puts them a step above the competition.

The Cardinals don't seem to hit the Dodgers all that well, but keep in mind that they have beaten Cy Young favorite Clayton Kershaw twice this year. He has a 4.15 ERA against St. Louis. A one-game playoff is next to impossible for these teams, but this could come into play during a crucial Game 5 or Game 7.

In addition to Kershaw, the Dodgers have Zack Grienke, who is quite familiar with the Cardinals from his Milwaukee days, and the strong rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu. 

The Cardinals' playoff rotation is still up in the air, but ace Adam Wainwright and his crew will surely put up a good fight.  

Defense

Dodgers' Notable Statistics: 100 Errors

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 66 Errors

Advantage: Dodgers

Cincinnati Reds

2013 Record Against St. Louis: 8-11

Although the Cincinnati Reds are an incredibly threatening team, the Cardinals seem to have handled them quite well. Starting off at 10-3 against their NL Central opponents sure helped.

However, it is a bit worrisome that the Reds took three of four in the two teams' last series of the year, not to mention the fact that Cincinnati knows the Cardinals well. This is experience vs. familiarity.

Batting

Reds' Notable Statistics: .251 Team BA, 633 Runs Scored, .234 Team BA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: .268 Team BA, 697 Runs Scored, .261 Team BA Against Reds

The Reds lineup is stacked with MVP names like Joey Votto to newer acquisitions like Shin-Soo Choo. It can hang with the best offenses in the NL.

But when it comes to this particular matchup, the Cardinals probably like their chances. St. Louis hit these opponents much better than vice versa. Then, there's the fact that the Cardinals are a historic .329 with runners in scoring position, while the Reds are .250.

As previously mentioned, the Cardinals might be missing Allen Craig due to injury, and the Reds' bats are healthy as of Thursday. 

Pitching

Reds' Notable Statistics: 3.35 ERA from Starters, 3.46 ERA from Relievers, 5.10 Team ERA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 3.52 ERA from Starters, 3.52 ERA from Relievers, 3.93 Team ERA Against Reds

The Reds pitching staff is one to watch. This is where they have the slight upper-hand.

Don't let that 5.10 ERA against the Cardinals fool you. For instance, Homer Bailey hasn't allowed a run in 14.1 innings against St. Louis, but he had an ugly first start against the Redbirds.

Cincinnati has the better numbers throughout the season, as the Cardinals starters have gradually slowed since their strong showing back in April and May.

According to Mark Sheldon and Jeremy Warnemuende of MLB.com, Cincinnati is likely to be adding both Johnny Cueto and Sean Marshall to the roster in the next few weeks. Each will make an impact, although Cueto might find himself in the bullpen as opposed to his usual starting role.

Lastly, the Cardinals have a barrage of rookies and young arms who wouldn't necessarily have the experience of a seasoned playoff team. 

Defense

Reds' Notable Statistics: 70 Errors

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 66 Errors

Advantage: Cardinals

Pittsburgh Pirates

2013 Record Against St. Louis: 10-9

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally have their first winning season since 1992. They have been a thorn in the Cardinals' side all year, and it doesn't look to end with the regular season. This matchup would be a classic case of experience vs. hunger. 

Batting

Pirates' Notable Statistics: .247 Team BA, 568 Runs Scored, .259 Team BA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: .268 Team BA, 697 Runs Scored, .248 Team BA Against Pirates

The Pirates have packed a surprising punch at the plate this year and are looking even better with the additions of Justin Morneau, Marlon Byrd and John Buck. No longer is Andrew McCutchen carrying the team on his back.

The Cards have struggled at times to be their usual high-scoring selves against Pittsburgh (see paragraphs about the Bucs' stellar pitching staff below). However, it's easy to believe they would still have the edge here. 

Not only do they have that great average with RISP while the Pirates are at .227, but this is where seasoned veterans will really shine. Most of the Cardinals bats have been to the NLCS—some two years in a row—and will be able to handle the pressure situations with ease.

Pitching

Pirates' Notable Statistics: 3.57 ERA from Starters, 2.91 ERA from Relievers, 4.00 Team ERA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 3.52 ERA from Starters, 3.52 ERA from Relievers, 4.03 Team ERA Against Pirates

The Pirates rotation is the biggest hitch in the Cardinals' plan. A.J. Burnett and Francisco Liriano have owned St. Louis this year, going a combined 6-1. The Cardinals would have to get to their starters early because the Bucs bullpen has been dominant.

Pittsburgh will also be getting both Wandy Rodriguez and Charlie Morton back from injury soon. 

The Cardinals have had a flaky rotation and bullpen, but they can rely on Wainwright to lead a formidable charge. If anything, Pittsburgh will be a bit of a fish out of water team and could panic should they get caught in a St. Louis scoring spree. Remember the Nationals in last year's NLDS?

Defense

Pirates' Notable Statistics: 100 Errors

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 66 Errors

Advantage: Cardinals

Atlanta Braves

2013 Record Against St. Louis: 4-3

The Atlanta Braves have been a very consistent team in 2013. The Cardinals' two matchups with the team have been black and white: They got swept and then fell one game short of returning the favor in a four game series.

Atlanta has reason for a little animosity towards the Cards, as well, since St. Louis knocked them out of contention two years in a row. Here, we're talking experience vs. revenge.

Batting

Braves' Notable Statistics: .250 Team BA, 625 Runs Scored, .265 Team BA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: .268 Team BA, 697 Runs Scored, .223 Team BA Against Braves

The Braves can give the Cardinals a run for their money at the plate, but this category still goes to St. Louis. 

With the acquisition of Justin Upton, the emergence of rookie slugger Evan Gattis and Freddie Freeman having an excellent year, Atlanta has a lineup to brag about.

Jason Heyward is looking to make a comeback before the end of the season, according to SI.com's Jay Jaffe, and he would be an important addition. But don't forget that Upton has been streaky, Heyward might not be his usual self and good Cardinals pitching has proven that it can shut the Braves down. 

As long as the Cardinals bats are awake, they will prevail.

Pitching

Braves' Notable Statistics: 3.63 ERA from Starters, 2.31 ERA from Relievers, 2.85 Team ERA Against Cardinals

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 3.52 ERA from Starters, 3.52 ERA from Relievers, 2.70 Team ERA Against Braves

The Braves' pitching staff is—once again—slightly better than the Cardinals' in its current condition. Atlanta has strong starters with good numbers against St. Louis, and they have one of the best closers in the game with Craig Kimbrel.

But in looking at the Cardinals' games against Atlanta, what seemed to plague them the most was their struggles at the plate. They were almost beating themselves, and that won't necessarily happen when the electricity of a playoff atmosphere is running through their veins. 

Assuming Joe Kelly makes the postseason rotation—he does have a 1.46 ERA against the Braves this year in two games—he could be a key to Redbird success.

Defense

Braves' Notable Statistics: 74 Errors

Cardinals' Notable Statistics: 66 Errors

Advantage: Cardinals