MLB Playoffs 2014: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket Predictions for Day 9

Fortunately for the St. Louis Cardinals, they won't be seeing Madison Bumgarner for a couple of games.

The San Francisco Giants ace extended his postseason streak of scoreless innings on the road, tossing 7.2 dominant innings to earn the 3-0 win in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. As Fox Sports' Jon Morosi argued, there is no pitcher in baseball better in the playoffs:

The Cards get a reprieve from MadBum, but since they don't want to go to San Francisco down 2-0 in the series, the pressure will undoubtedly be high on Sunday.

Let's take a look at what's in store for Game 2.

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2014

Time: 8:07 p.m. ET

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

TV: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

A little more than two months ago, Jake Peavy's career looked to be on its last legs. He was 1-9 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, looking nothing like the pitcher who owned two ERA titles and a Cy Young award.

But then Bruce Bochy choreographed a reunion. The Giants manager dealt for his former ace just days before July's trade deadline, and while he was just in search of a veteran to add depth to the rotation, he ended up getting, well, his former ace.

Toni L. Sandys/Associated Press

In 12 regular-season starts with his new team, a rejuvenated Peavy went 6-4 with a sparkling 2.17 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Without striking out batters or finding the mid-90s velocity like he used to, he has found other ways to be effective: His 1.9 walks and 0.3 home runs allowed per nine innings are both the lowest marks of his career.

That success carried over to the postseason, as he went 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the Game 1 NLDS win against the Washington Nationals.

Fox Sports' Gabe Kapler praised the veteran:

While Peavy won a World Series ring with the Red Sox a year ago, he wasn't exactly instrumental in the team's run, giving up 16 hits, 10 runs and four walks in just 12.2 innings. This clearly isn't the same player, though, so this will be a difficult test for St. Louis.

Taking the bump for the Cardinals will be Lance Lynn, who has quietly been very good all year, finishing the regular season with a 2.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 33 starts. His strikeout rate has dropped (although it still remains at a solid 8.0 K's per nine), but he has turned into a better pitcher, locating better and inducing more ground balls.

Ultimately, there's a good chance the score will be low and close when both starters leave the game, meaning it will come down to the bullpens.

In that case, the advantage goes to the Giants, whose relievers were more effective in the regular season and lights-out in the NLDS.

San Francisco, which has been nearly unbeatable in October under Bochy, will squeak out a win and take the 2-0 lead home.

Prediction: San Francisco 3, St. Louis 2