10 Biggest Mid-NLDS Questions That Need Answering
The first week of the 2014 MLB playoffs is in the books, and it has already been a fantastic postseason, with no shortage of pitching gems and late-game heroics at the plate.
The American League side of the division series wrapped up quickly with a pair of sweeps, as the Baltimore Orioles are set to meet the Kansas City Royals in an American League Championship Series matchup that it's fair to say few predicted at the beginning of the season.
With the National League side back in action for Game 3 on Monday night, the San Francisco Giants will have a chance to join the sweep party after taking the first two games of their series with the Washington Nationals on the road.
That leaves the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers matchup the only one guaranteed to go four games, and it may very well go five based on what a battle the first two games of the series were.
So as we kick off the second week of this year's postseason action, here is a look at 10 mid-series questions that need answering before the National League Championship Series matchup is set.
Who Starts in Right Field for the Cardinals?
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After trading Allen Craig to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline in the deal that acquired John Lackey, the Cardinals handed everyday right field duties to uber-prospect Oscar Taveras in hopes that he would run with the opportunity.
Instead, the 22-year-old hit just .239/.278/.312 with three home runs and 22 RBI in 234 at-bats on the year, and he began losing playing time to fellow rookie Randal Grichuk down the stretch.
Grichuk wound up hitting .320/.346/.520 with four doubles and two home runs in 50 at-bats over the final month of the season. That was enough for him to not only earn a spot on the postseason roster, but to earn the start in Game 1.
Hitting in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, and facing the best pitcher in the game in Clayton Kershaw, he homered to left field in his first career postseason at-bat.
The 23-year-old was 0-for-3 with a walk the rest of the way, though, and he followed that up with an 0-for-4 performance that included a pair of strikeouts in Game 2.
Meanwhile, Taveras came on as a pinch hitter in Game 2 and delivered a big single down the first base line against left-hander J.P. Howell, setting up the Matt Carpenter two-run homer that would tie the game.
That leaves manager Mike Matheny with a tough decision to make about who starts in right field for Game 3 and beyond.
The Dodgers will throw left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 3, so the scales could still tip in the favor of Grichuk at this point. At the same time, it would not be all that surprising to see Taveras penciled into the lineup either.
How Will Yasiel Puig Rebound from His 4-Strikeout Game?
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Yasiel Puig is an emotional player—that's no earth-shattering revelation. So it will be interesting to see how he rebounds from his four-strikeout performance in Game 2.
The 23-year-old was clearly frustrated after the last two strikeouts, and it's not out of the question to think his Game 2 struggles and frustration could trickle over into Game 3.
On the other hand, the last time he struck out four times in a game was Aug. 13 of this season, and he responded by going 3-for-4 the following day. So maybe he will be able to once again harness that frustration and turn it into a big night at the plate.
After slumping for much of the second half, Puig finally seemed to figure things out down the stretch, hitting .339/.409/.559 with three home runs and nine RBI in his final 15 games.
Looking to stay hot, he was 2-for-4 with three runs scored in Game 1 of the series, but Lance Lynn and the Cardinals bullpen obviously had his number in Game 2.
He will no doubt be the starting center fielder hitting in the No. 2 spot in the lineup once again Monday, and his body language when he digs in the batter's box for the first time will be very telling.
What Will Matt Carpenter Do Next?
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Pointing to one hitter or one pitcher as the key for an entire team in a postseason series is generally short-sighted, as you never know who is going to step up in the playoffs. Oftentimes, contributions come from the unlikeliest of sources.
However, Matt Carpenter has already delivered three huge hits in the first two games of this year's National League Division Series, and at this point, you can't help but wonder what he's going to do next.
The first blow came in the sixth inning of Game 1, when Carpenter hit what looked like a fairly harmless two-out solo home run off Clayton Kershaw, cutting the Dodgers' lead to 6-2.
Kershaw got Grichuk to pop up to end that inning, but he was a different pitcher to start the seventh. he had allowed four straight singles and five hits total when Carpenter again stepped to the plate—this time with two outs, the bases loaded and the Cardinals trailing 6-4.
After an impressive eight-pitch battle of an at-bat, Carpenter laced a bases-clearing double off the wall in right-center, giving the Cardinals the lead and chasing Kershaw from the game.
Fast-forward to the eighth inning of Game 2.
Zack Greinke departed after seven innings of two-hit, shutout baseball with the Dodgers leading 2-0, turning things over to left-hander J.P. Howell, who held lefties to a .170 batting average during the regular season.
Following a pinch-hit single by Taveras, it was Carpenter again who came through with the big hit, crushing a game-tying two-run home run to deep right-center.
After hitting just two home runs in 183 at-bats against left-handed pitching during the regular season, Carpenter had two in a span of about 24 hours. The Dodgers would eventually come back to win Game 2, but after struggling at the plate for most of the night, that two-run home run gave the Cardinals some momentum if nothing else.
He's certainly done his part through two games, and the Cardinals certainly hope that continues in St. Louis the next two days.
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Will Clayton Kershaw Start Game 4 on Short Rest?
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Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has already said it is "not highly likely" the team goes to ace Adam Wainwright on short rest in Game 4, regardless of what happens in a pivotal Game 3 on Monday, per Chad Thornburg of MLB.com:
"I never want to hem ourselves in here and say that we won't do something, but I think with what we saw yesterday and how hard he's had to push so far down the stretch here, I think it would be a pretty good stretch to see him go on short rest.
But stranger things have happened, and we trust him as much as we trust anybody on our club to be a real good evaluator of himself and know when he needs extra time or if he's ready to go.
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The same can't be said for the Dodgers and their ace, Clayton Kershaw. Despite allowing eight earned runs in a Game 1 loss, he could still take the ball in Game 4.
The Dodgers' other option to start that game is veteran Dan Haren.
The 34-year-old went 13-11 with a 4.02 ERA during the regular season and closed out the year strong with a 2.09 ERA and five quality starts in his final seven outings. He's been shaky at best over the past several seasons, though.
If the Dodgers do opt to go with Kershaw on Tuesday, he would be pitching on three days' rest, something he did with great success in the NLDS last year against the Atlanta Braves.
After picking up the win in Game 1 (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 13 K), the Dodgers handed him the ball in Game 4 with a chance to clinch the series and advance to the NLCS. He ended up earning a no-decision, allowing three hits and two unearned runs over six innings, but the Dodgers picked up a 4-3 win thanks to a game-winning home run from Juan Uribe in the eighth inning.
So will the team again turn to Kershaw in Game 4 to close out the series if it wins Game 3? Or, perhaps more importantly, would the Dodgers hand him the ball on short rest facing elimination if the Cardinals win Monday? We shall see.
How Will Shelby Miller Perform in His First Postseason Start?
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Last season, Shelby Miller was one of the best rookie pitchers in all of baseball, going 15-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 31 starts to finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
However, when the postseason rolled around, the Cardinals opted to leave him out of the rotation plans, going with a surging Michael Wacha instead alongside the trio of Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly.
Miller wound up pitching just one inning of mop-up work in the playoffs, allowing a hit and a run in the process, but he will play a much more significant role this time around.
The 23-year-old is currently penciled in as the Game 4 starter, and with the Cardinals saying it is "not highly likely" they will turn to Wainwright on three days' rest to pitch that game, Miller could potentially be taking the ball with his team facing elimination.
All things considered, it was a solid sophomore season for Miller, as he went 10-9 with a 3.74 ERA and earned a chance to start in October.
He struggled with some control issues in the first half, and his walk rate climbed to 3.6 BB/9 this year after a 3.0 BB/9 mark in 2013, but he really seemed to hit his stride down the stretch.
Over his last seven starts of the regular season, the right-hander was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and just 1.9 BB/9, turning in six quality starts during that span.
Whether it is with his team facing elimination or a chance to clinch, and whether he's squaring off against Haren or Kershaw on short rest, Miller finds himself in a pivotal role as he prepares for his first career postseason start.
Can the Dodgers Offense Carry Them to the NLCS?
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The Dodgers lineup is loaded with big-name, high-priced star players, yet they were averaging just 4.10 runs per game heading into the final month of the season.
Thanks to their fantastic starting pitching, they still held a two-game lead in the NL West standings at the end of August, but the general consensus was that the Dodgers offense was not performing up its potential.
It's fair to say that changed in September, as the team averaged an MLB-best 6.24 runs per game on its way to a 17-8 month and a second straight NL West title, besting the rival San Francisco Giants by six games.
Leading the way were Adrian Gonzalez, who topped all of baseball with 116 RBI; Matt Kemp, who looked like the stud of old in the second half (64 G, .971 OPS, 17 HR, 54 RBI); and Carl Crawford, who played out of his mind in September (67 AB, .448/.473/.716).
With Kershaw collapsing down the stretch in his Game 1 start and the bullpen giving up a 2-0 lead after a gem from Greinke in Game 2, offensive production is suddenly paramount for a Dodgers team that leaned on its starting pitching for much of the year.
The Dodgers are hitting .329/.388/.493 with 24 hits and 12 runs scored as a team through their first two game of the series. Giving Hyun-Jin Ryu some early run support in Game 3 could help take some pressure off the left-hander.
Ryu will be making his first start since Sept. 12 after missing the end of the regular season with shoulder soreness, so anything the team can do to make things easier on him would be nice.
Will Ryan Zimmerman Get the Start in Game 3?
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It wasn't all that long ago that Ryan Zimmerman was the face of the Nationals franchise and one of the best young third basemen in all of baseball.
Even last season, he was a plus contributor in the middle of the team's lineup, hitting .275/.344/.465 with 26 home runs and 79 RBI, but injuries have taken their toll this year.
Between a fractured thumb and a strained hamstring, Zimmerman missed a total of 101 games during the regular season, and when he returned in late September, it was in a bench role.
With Anthony Rendon moving to his natural third base position and Asdrubal Cabrera acquired at the trade deadline to replace him at second base, there really was no clear spot for Zimmerman. With the team rolling down the stretch, it was hard to justify shaking up the lineup.
Now down 2-0 in the series, a shakeup makes a lot more sense, and manager Matt Williams is considering giving Zimmerman a start in Game 3, according to Dan Kolko of MASN.
With tough left-hander Madison Bumgarner on the mound, it would likely be either first baseman Adam LaRoche or left fielder Bryce Harper heading to the bench to make way for Zimmerman.
The 30-year-old is 1-for-2 so far this NLDS as a pinch hitter, and he is 3-for-17 with a double and a home run in his career against Bumgarner.
For the sake of comparison, Harper is 2-for-11 with a home run in the series and 3-for-9 against Bumgarner, while LaRoche is 1-for-10 in the series and 6-for-21 with three doubles against the Giants ace.
The Nationals have to do something with their backs against the wall. Perhaps inserting their veteran leader into the lineup with a chance to prove he still deserves regular at-bats can give them a spark.
How Will Drew Storen Handle His Next Save Opportunity?
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What had been a long journey back to dominant form for Drew Storen following his blown save in Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS has now come full circle after he again blew a save opportunity in Game 2 on Saturday night.
Once one of the most promising young relievers in the game, Storen saved 43 games with a 2.75 ERA in his first season as the Nationals closer back in 2011.
Surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow cost him the first 89 games of 2012, and when he returned, he was relegated to setup duties, with Tyler Clippard pitching well in the closer's role.
However, when Clippard began to struggle down the stretch, Storen returned to the closer's role and he picked up the save in Game 1 of the team's NLDS matchup with the Cardinals.
After he worked shutout innings in Game 3 and Game 4, the Nationals handed him the ball up 7-5 in the ninth inning of Game 5 with a chance to advance to the NLCS. That's when things went south. Storen allowed three hits, two walks and four earned runs in the ninth to blow the save and effectively end the Nationals' season.
It was enough for the team to sign Rafael Soriano in free agency that offseason. Storen struggled to a 4.52 ERA in middle relief last season, and his days as a dominant reliever looked to be over.
The 27-year-old had other ideas, though, turning in a dominant regular season this year with a 1.12 ERA and 0.976 WHIP in 65 appearances. He returned to the closer's role in early September when Soriano fell apart and went 10-of-10 on save chances with a 0.00 ERA in his final 11 appearances.
His first chance to redeem his 2012 collapse came in Game 2, when he was called on to get the final out of the game. Manager Matt Williams had decided to pull starter Jordan Zimmermann, who was pitching a three-hit shutout and had just allowed his first walk of the game on pitch No. 100.
Storen promptly allowed a single to Buster Posey and a game-tying RBI double to Pablo Sandoval, blowing the save again and extending what would be an 18-inning epic won by the Giants.
With the team now facing elimination, one can't help but wonder how Storen will handle his next save opportunity. That is, if he gets another chance.
Can Bumgarner Match His Wild Card Performance, Send Giants to NLCS?
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Undoubtedly one of the best pitchers in the game today, Madison Bumgarner wrapped up another terrific regular season at 18-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 217.1 innings. He has become the unquestioned ace of the Giants.
The team handed him the ball for its Wild Card Game with the Pirates, and he threw a gem, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out 10 in a complete-game shutout.
Still just 25 years old, Bumgarner already has quite the postseason resume, as he is 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA in eight games (seven starts) so far in his young career.
Starting the Wild Card Game pushed his first NLDS start back to Game 3, and he will take the ball Monday with a chance to clinch the series and send the Giants to the NLCS. It's an enviable position to be in if you're the Giants.
So the question is this: Can Bumgarner match his performance against the Pirates and again be the man on the mound when the Giants move on to the next round?
Who Starts Game 4 If the Nationals Win Game 3?
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If the Nationals are able to get to Bumgarner in Game 3 to avoid the sweep and force a Game 4, they will have a big decision to make about who gets the starting nod.
With Tanner Roark pitching in relief and taking the loss in Game 2, it would appear that left-hander Gio Gonzalez has been tabbed as the team's No. 4 starter.
Gonzalez was technically the team's "worst" starter this season, going 10-10 with a 3.57 ERA over 27 starts, including 4-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five September starts. The fact that he was their least effective starter just goes to show how dominant the Nationals starting pitching was this season, as they finished first in the majors with a 3.04 starter's ERA.
Gonzalez didn't face the Giants during the regular season, but he did make a pair of starts against essentially the same roster in 2013, allowing just eight hits and one run in 11.1 innings of work with two no-decisions.
The Nationals' other option would be to go with Game 1 starter Stephen Strasburg on three days' rest, with Gonzalez waiting in the wings if he struggles early, but that would likely mean short-rest starts for Zimmermann and Doug Fister to close out the series.
Either way, it will be all hands on deck the rest of the way for the Nationals as they look to avoid another NLDS disappointment after posting the best record in the NL for the second time in three years.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference and accurate through Sunday, Oct. 5.
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