NLCS Preview: Washington Nationals Vs. St. Louis Cardinals
10/10/19 By Ryan Kanne
Photo Courtesy of MGN Online
After a 7-3 comeback win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Washington Nationals face a St. Louis Cardinals team that dominated the Atlanta Braves in a 13-1 win to advance to the NLCS. Both teams got to this point in vastly different ways.
Despite a slow start, the Nationals rebounded to become one of the best teams in baseball. Since May 24, the Nationals were tied with the Dodgers for the best record in baseball (74-38). This hot streak was on the backs of their starting pitching and some timely hitting.
Since late may, four Nationals starters have an ERA below a 3.50. The league average during that span was an ERA of 4.51. As for the offense, the Nationals relied on All-Star third baseman Anthony Rendon, 2018 Rookie of the Year Juan Soto, and veteran Howie Kendrick. All three of these players hit above a .900 OPS where as the league average is .758. Rendon led the NL in RBI in what could be his final season in Washington.
While the Nationals had one of the best starting rotations and lineups in the league, their bullpen has been their kryptonite. The Nationals relievers had the worst ERA in the league with a 5.66 ERA. As the Nationals make their first NLCS appearance in franchise history, they hope their magic can continue against one of the most storied franchises in the MLB.
The Cardinals won their division on the back of their pitching. Their starting rotation had the fifth best ERA in the league as well as the fifth best bullpen ERA. Down the stretch, their pitching got a boost by a dominant performance by Jack Flaherty. Flaherty had the best ERA by a starting pitcher after the All-Star break with a 0.91 ERA. For context, the second-best mark in that time frame is more than half a run higher at a 1.44 ERA.
The Cardinals offense did their part late in the season as well. Despite finishing the year as the 19th best offense with 4.73 runs per game, the Cardinals turned it on after the All-Star break. They closed the year with the tenth most runs per game post All Star game with 5.15 runs per game.
As the Cardinals look to reach their 20th World Series, the Nationals are looking to reach their first fall classic in franchise history. Both teams finished the year strong and have produced in the postseason to reach this point. The first game of the NLCS will be October 11 at 8 p.m. EST.
Anibal Sanchez will start for the Nationals. He will be opposed by Miles Mikolas. Sanchez will be making his tenth postseason appearance while Mikolas will be making only his second. Game Two will be Saturday night in St. Louis.