Gameday. NLDS Game 1. Pirates at Cardinals

Busch Stadium

Series Tied 0-0

First Pitch: 5:07 EST

TV: TBS    Radio: 93.7 The Fan

The Pirates come into this game smoking hot having won their last 4 games and 6 of the last 7.  The Cardinals, who won the NL Central Division with a record of 97-65 and 3 games ahead of the Pirates, have won their last 6 games heading into the Postseason.  The Pirates defeated the Reds on Tuesday 6-2 in order to advance from the Wild Card round into the NLDS.  This series is a best of 5 for those of you who may not completely understand baseball playoffs.

Probable Pitchers:

AJ Burnett : 10-11 3.30 ERA

Adam Wainwright : 19-9 2.94 ERA

Projected Lineups -

Starling Marte LF

Neil Walker 2B

Andrew McCutchen CF

Justin Morneau 1B

Marlon Byrd RF

Pedro Alvarez 3B

Russell Martin C

Clint Barmes SS

AJ Burnett P

Matt Carpenter 2B

Jon Jay CF

Carlos Beltran RF

Matt Holliday LF

Matt Adams 1B

Yadier Molina C

David Freese 3B

Pete Kozma SS

Adam Wainwright P

(Pirates lineup based on Wild Card game lineup. Cardinals lineup based on my prediction)

Notes:

The Pirates went 10-9 this season vs the Cardinals, but only won 3 games in St. Louis. 

The Cardinals didn't win a series in Pittsburgh, including losing 4 of 5 games at the end of July.

Andrew McCutchen is a career .429 hitter against Wainwright.  Clint Barmes, Russell Martin, Jose Tabata, Neil Walker, and Garrett Jones all also have good numbers against Wainwright.

David Freese, Matt Adams, and Yadier Molina all have really bad numbers against AJ Burnett.

Two videos to get you fired up for this game.

Do It.

Lets Go Bucs