District On Deck
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District On Deck: NL/AL Wild Card Game Predictions

By Max Rayman

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates a solo home run in the sixth inning with Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Soxduring a baseball game agains Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates a solo home run in the sixth inning with Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Soxduring a baseball game agains Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Dodgers Vs. Cardinals

Los Angeles Dodgers
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 18: Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 18, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Imagine winning 106 games and being forced to play a do-or-die game against the hottest team in baseball. Yet, that’s exactly the situation the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in. From top to bottom, the Dodgers have the best roster in baseball.

Despite Max Muncy and Clayton Kershaw suffering injuries during the final series of the regular season, L.A. has the depth to overcome it. The offense is led by Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, and Will Smith, with AJ Pollock coming off the bench.

With Kershaw on the IL and Trevor Bauer on administrative leave, the Dodgers will be heavily relying on their star trade deadline acquisition, Max Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner is built for this moment and has dominated the Cardinals in the playoffs in the past. During Game 2 of the 2019 NLCS, Scherzer threw seven shutout innings against them, allowing only one hit, while walking two, and striking out 11.

It will be all hands on deck and if Scherzer struggles early, expect to see Kenley Jansen (2.22 ERA, 38 saves), Blake Treinen (1.99 ERA, 85 Ks), and David Price (4.03 ERA, 58 Ks) out of the bullpen.

Entering August St. Louis looked dead in the water, sitting at 52-52. Then starting on September 11th, the Cardinals won 17 straight and 19 of their last 22 to vault them back into the playoffs for the third straight year.

Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Tyler O’Neil powered the offense, each hitting 30+ homers and 80+ RBIs. Yadier Molina returns to the playoffs for the 12th time. In 101 postseason games, Molina is hitting .280, with four homers, 36 RBIs, and an OPS of .699. The two-time World Series champ will be leaned on for his experience.

The starting rotation was led by the old guard, with Adam Wainwright turning back the clock. At 40 years young, the Cardinals ace went 17-7, with a 3.05 ERA, 174 strikeouts, and a 3.66 FIP. Behind him are trade acquisitions Jon Lester (4-1, 4.36 ERA) and J.A. Happ (5-2, 4.00 ERA).

Something to keep an eye on is the Cardinal’s defense. They lead the NL in defensive runs saved (DRS) (83) and outs above average (OOA) (53) and are second in ultimate zone rating (UZR) (23.5).

Wainwright will be on the mound for the Cardinals, becoming the oldest player to start a Wild Card game, with Scherzer becoming the second oldest.

Prediction: LA won 106 games for a reason. The Dodgers overpower the Cardinals and advance to take on the Giants.

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