NLCS Schedule 2014: Cardinals vs. Giants Game 4 TV Coverage and Predictions

Winning a playoff game in the bottom of the 10th inning due to a throwing error isn't exactly a common thing; however, when the St. Louis Cardinals play the San Francisco Giants in October, we've learned to expect the unexpected.

After all, ESPN Stats & Info tweeted exactly how long it has been for a game to end in a similar fashion:

A 5-4 victory on Tuesday gives the Giants a 2-1 lead over the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. San Francisco's win wasn't pretty, but it was extremely crucial with two more home games on the slate and a chance to close out the series before it returns to St. Louis.

Game 4 is set to kick off on Wednesday, and these evenly matched teams are sure to provide some more fireworks. Before the postseason action continues, let's take a look at the game's essential viewing information and predict the outcome of this pivotal contest, as well as an overall winner for the series.

Game 3 Viewing Information

Series: Giants lead 2-1

Where: AT&T Park in San Francisco, California

Date: Wednesday, October 15

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: MLB.TV (requires subscription)

Preview and Predictions

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

After stellar playoff performances against other clubs, veteran pitchers John Lackey and Tim Hudson didn't fare too well on Tuesday. The Giants got to Lackey early, pelting him for four first-inning runs, and Hudson gave up that same number over a span of four innings.

Bullpens from both teams were put to work, and San Francisco's relievers remained on fire, allowing just two hits and zero runs over 3.2 innings. St. Louis saw some nice stuff on the mound from its bullpen as well, but a late-game hiccup by Randy Choate allowed for a Giants win.

The game's conclusion was tweeted by 120 Sports:

While that late error was certainly an aberration, it does give San Francisco an edge going forward. So, what can we expect in Game 4?

By now, we know what to expect from both of these teams at the plate. Although, it will be a completely different story on the mound on Wednesday.

Ryan Vogelsong gets the start for the Giants in Game 4. He saw one start so far in the playoffs and notched a win against the Washington Nationals. The right-hander went 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out four for a 1.59 ERA. The only hitter able to get to him that day was Bryce Harper.

A tweet from MLB shows how dominant Vogelsong has been in the playoffs during his career:

Shelby Miller will be taking the mound for the Cardinals. He earned one postseason start against the Los Angeles Dodgers and lasted 5.2 innings as well. Over that span, he gave up five hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out four en route to a 3.18 ERA. While he gave up two runs, he didn't allow anything greater than a single in that contest.

The matchup is extremely tough to call. Though, while Miller didn't flinch when going up against Clayton Kershaw earlier in the playoffs, this will certainly be the biggest game of the 24-year-old's career. The edge goes to Vogelsong and his nine years of experience.

Game 3 Prediction: Giants 4, Cardinals 2

Should San Francisco come away with another victory on Wednesday, it will have the Cardinals on the ropes, down three games to one. Adam Wainwright will be back on the mound on Thursday in an effort to bring the series back to St. Louis. That's very likely to happen, but the Cardinals will already be in too deep of a hole by that point.

Series Prediction: Giants in six