Cardinals vs. Brewers: MVP Candidate Ryan Braun Will Give Milwaukee 2-0 Lead

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has only Los Angeles Dodgers counterpart Matt Kemp between him and the Most Valuable Player Award, but right now, the talented slugger is focused on the St. Louis Cardinals. Braun's on a mammoth tear and will help lead his team to a 2-0 series lead tonight.

ESPN SweetSpot's David Schoenfield puts Braun's postseason run into perspective.

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Ryan Braun still has a lot of baseball left to play -- at least four games in a worst-case scenario -- but his blazing start to the postseason (11-for-22, five doubles, two home runs, seven runs, eight RBIs) has us thinking of great October runs.

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Braun led the National League in both wOBA and wRC+ this season, illustrating just how talented he is at the plate. It was the best season of his terrific five-year career, and he has cemented himself as one of the most well-rounded players in all of baseball.

When combined with Prince Fielder, it becomes extremely difficult for the opposing pitching staff to successfully navigate the Brewers lineup.

Cardinals starter Edwin Jackson learned that the hard way after arriving from from the Chicago White Sox. Jackson posted a 4.95 ERA against Milwaukee in three starts this season, including a brutal performance in Milwaukee on Aug. 3 (eight earned runs in seven innings pitched).

Both Fielder and Braun homered in Game 1 en route to a 9-6 victory. It was a game that exhibited all of Milwaukee's strengths. Down 5-2 in the fifth, the Brewers scored six runs and let their bullpen do the rest. Jaime Garcia, St. Louis' second-best starter, gave up six runs in four innings.

Tonight's battle has all the makings of another high-scoring affair.

If the Cardinals have any hope of keeping up with the Brewers, priority No. 1 will be shutting down Braun. While that won't guarantee success, it will go a long way in keeping Milwaukee's offense from putting up crooked numbers like they did in Game 1.

All told, look for Milwaukee to hold serve at home again in Game 2.

Prediction: Brewers 6 Cardinals 4