Whether you love the fact that the best team in baseball will be playing the team with the third best record in baseball in the NLDS or whether you hate it, no one can deny that this series has an extra dose of interest that the other Division Series matchups lack. When the Cardinals meet the Cubs in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday night, all eyes will be glued on Busch Stadium. An historic rivalry will kick it up a notch – the Cardinals and Cubs have never met in the playoffs before.
Will the other Cubs pitchers step up?
For Games 1 and 2, the Cubs will need to prove that Jake Arrieta isn’t the only one who knows how to perform when the spotlight is shining. The Cubs pitching in 2015 was very solid (3rd in the league in team ERA), but was overshadowed by the heroics of Arrieta. That being said, there is still a question about whether the rest of the staff will be able to hold serve.
Jon Lester had a very solid September, but has yet to show consistency. In April, June, and August he struggled, while in the other months he was stellar. Lester may be due for a bad month, and October is not the time for that. Lester comes in with a lot of playoff experience (84 IP) and has good numbers (2.57 ERA and 1.071 WHIP), plus two World Championships with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2013. Arrieta might be the stud of the staff, but Lester is the senior member and will look to show the way to success.
Manager Joe Maddon surprised some people when he announced on Thursday that Kyle Hendricks will start the second game of the series. Many expected Jason Hammel to get the nod, but Hendricks has pitched 12 shutout innings in his last two starts and seems to be putting it together at the right time. Of course until he proves the moment isn’t too big for him, question marks will surround Hendrick.
MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 15: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals tags out Shane Peterson #35 of the Milwaukee Brewers at home plate in the sixth inning at Miller Park on September 15, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
Will Yadier Molina’s injury effect his performance?
The best catcher in the game will be wearing a splint on his injured left thumb for this series and there are questions about whether or not the discomfort will affect how he plays. Molina’s presence as a veteran makes him valuable regardless of how he plays. His experience in the playoffs and how good he is with the pitching staff can’t be understated and can’t be measured by numbers. That being said, Molina admits that the thumb still hurts and for a catcher, catching a ball with a splint on your thumb can be concerning. If something would happen to prevent Molina from playing full-time, the Cardinals would certainly notice that loss. Still, no one can question his toughness and he will certainly not be a total hindrance to the Cardinals’ efforts.
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 20: Carlos Martinez #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 20, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 4-3. (Photo by John Konstantaras/Getty Images)
How big of blow is the loss of Carlos Martinez to the Cardinals?
While John Lackey will take the bump in Game 1 and there are certainly worse options out there, the Cardinals will feel the pinch of injuries because Martinez is out for the duration of the playoffs. Martinez was right up as one of the better starters in a top-to-bottom fantastic rotation. The Cardinals as a team finished with a 2.94 ERA, but come postseason play, depth becomes so important. Martinez had a 3.01 ERA in 29 starts before he was shut down in late September due to a shoulder strain.
Jaime Garcia will pitch in Game 2 and 23-year old Michael Wacha, who has playoff experience with the Cardinals, will get the start in Game 3.
The Cardinals definitely do not have a shortage of pitching, but if something would happen (like a starter getting shelled in the early innings of a game) they will have one less arm to help out. Martinez’s loss likely won’t be do or die for the Cards, but in October, you never know!
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 05: Randal Grichuk #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a game winning home run in the 13th inning against the Cincinnati Reds for a 4-3 win at Great American Ball Park on August 5, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Will Randal Grichuk shine in the playoffs?
The 23-year old provided two homers in the 2014 October campaign for the Redbirds, but this year expectations will be heightened. Mike Matheny announced on Thursday that Jason Heyward will start in center during the NLDS, and it’s a safe bet that Grichuk will get the nod in right field. The phenom had a great season in 103 games in 2015. He contributed 17 homers and a .877 OPS and has amazed people with his raw talent and ability. He will strike out a bunch (110 times in 350 plate appearances), but if he gets it rolling, look out.
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 22: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Wrigley Field on September 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The blast was Bryant’s 25th of the season, breaking Hall of Famer Billy Williams’s rookie home run record set in 1961. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Will the moment be too big for the Cubs?
Sure, they made it look easy Wednesday night against the Pirates. Sure, this team has shown it has the toughness to compete against anyone. But a playoff series is a different animal and it certainly is different when you don’t the hottest pitcher in baseball going every night *and* are facing off with your arch-rival. This is a young team with little to no postseason experience. One could argue that’s a good thing because they aren’t aware of how high the stakes are. One could argue that it’s bad because they aren’t aware of how high the stakes are. None of these guys will tell you that they plan on this being a one year thing, but it’s very important to savor these moments, but at the same time perform.
The Cardinals team that the Cubs will be facing is about as experienced as you can get. Being the Cubs’ biggest rival should help to keep the Cubs focused, but of course, if you need to play your rival team to be focused during the postseason, you shouldn’t be playing the game.
The series could be epic, let’s just hope the Cubs don’t disappoint.
