

That’s a brutal way to lose a series, let alone one that marked the end of the line for franchise legends Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. Or that the other primary responsible party would be the team’s infield defense, which had comfortably led MLB to above-average outs during the regular season. Of all the ways the NL Central champion could have lost a playoff series, it would have been hard to imagine MVP contenders Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado both being stone cold at the same time:īob Nightengale by the way, all-star right-hander Ryan Helsley, who is in charge of the launch Collapse in the ninth inning which doomed the Cardinals in Game 1. If Cardinals fans are feeling a little dazed and confused after their team’s downfall at the hands of the Phillies, let’s just say the “confused” part is understandable. The Cardinals have been let down by their greatest strengths
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When her dominant effort in the wildcard series followed a combination 3.07 ERA and a 6.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the regular season, Wheeler and Nola have done so all year.Īt least on that front, Atlanta should feel forewarned as it awaits the Phillies in the Division Series. Wheeler threw 6.1 innings of shutout in Game 1 while Nola made him several times better in Game 2 with 6.2 innings of shutout. In fact, they took on a Cardinals offensive that led the majors to home runs after the All-Star break and left them helpless. Nobody should want to face Wheeler and NolaĮven as the Phillies went from a nice seat in the National League wildcard race to a fight for their playoff life amid a 7-13 stretch to finish the regular season, there were at least two reasons they were in the postseason could pose a threat: Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Waiting for the Guardians in the American League Division Series are Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees, who led the AL with 807 runs and the entire MLB with 254 home runs. You can get away with that against a Rays team that scores below the league average. MLB GONZALEZ WALK-OFF HOMER IN THE 15TH! /bVpy55LKXzĭespite this, the Guardians did not rise above or even match the level of their regular-season offense, the barely met at a higher rate than the MLB average. José Ramírez’s two-run shot in the sixth inning of Game 1 proved to be the game winner, while Óscar González’s solo blaster in the 15th inning of Game 2 was literally a game winner.

Granted, Cleveland made those two extra base hits count. That they barely surpassed that mark while going just 13-76 with two extra base hits is cause for concern. It would have taken the Guardians at least two runs to win that series. The Guardians offense is a problem for them If the wildcard streak is any indication, they’re not necessarily done with this act just because the regular season is over. Guardians Hurlers have been good all year but especially in the second half when they demolished a 2.99 ERA and the second most common fWAR in the MLB. Editor-maestro Emmanuel Clase was particularly mean to Ray’s hitters, knocking out all seven he faced. The bullpen? How about 10.1 innings and only four hits with 13 strikeouts. Bieber set her up with 7.2 innings of one-run ball in Game 1 and McKenzie knocked her down in Game 2 with six shutout innings.Ĭodify Bieber and Triston McKenzie were for in their AL Wild Card Series startsĬombined: 13.2 innings, 5 hits, 3 walks, 16 Ks, 1 run! 😮 /79SxXqqLl1 The lion’s share of credit goes to Guardian aces Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, who certainly resembled the ace duo that posted a 2.92 ERA in the regular season. Philadelphia right-handed starter Aaron Nola has four poor games (five, eight, four and four runs allowed) over his final nine starts, while turning in a 3.78 ERA over this span with 70 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings.Setting up the Guardians is a problem for othersĪllowing just one run in two games means a few days in the office for every pitching staffer. An oblique issue cost him the first 26 days in September. Over the previous seasons, Castellanos averaged about 83 runs, 25 home runs and 84 RBIs over 550 at bats. 263 with 56 runs, 13 home runs, 62 RBIs and seven stolen bases over 524 at bats. The signing of Castellanos will go down as a bust in 2022. The Phillies can’t win without Harper playing at a high level. 227 over his final 128 at bats with 14 runs, three homers, 17 RBIs and two steals. Unfortunately, a broken thumb from a pitch led to about eight weeks on the injured list. 318 over 242 at bats with 49 runs, 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and nine steals. Harper was well on his way to his best season with Philadelphia over his first 65 games, hitting. If the game is close late, the pendulum swings toward St. Louis if Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos regain this previous form. The Phillies’ offense has more depth and star power than St.
