It…has…happened! The Cardinals successfully took the NLDS away from the LA Dodgers’ mitts on Tuesday night! It only took the heart attack Cards 4 games instead of 5 to send the Californians packing. After some time for celebration, but before looking ahead to the NLCS, it’s important to take a minute to reflect. Shall we?
In the division series, the Cardinals faced the NL Cy Young probable in Clayton Kershaw. For the 2014 season, Kershaw’s record was 21-3. His ERA was a phenomenal 1.77. He had 239 strike outs. During his two games in the postseason against the Cardinals his record is 0-2. His ERA is 10.80. And, he still had 19 strike outs. Not bad for the Cards hitting against the “best lefty in the world” (according to my brother-in-law).
As the title of this post suggests, I want to take a look at the two Matts: Carpenter and Adams, and the impact they had for the Cardinals in this series.
First up: Matt Carpenter. During the NLDS against the Dodgers, Matt #1 went up to the plate 16 times. In those 16 times, he had 6 hits: 3 doubles and 3 home runs. He scored 4 of the Cardinals’ runs and had 7 RBIs. In the clinching game, Carpenter was 0-4. And his batting average for the postseason is still sitting at .375. He had 3 home runs in the first 3 games of the NLDS. Did you hear that? The lead off man for the Cards is just beginning to turn it up in the postseason.
Last up: Matt Adams. Now, Matt #2’s stats aren’t quite as exciting, until you get to the end. In the NLDS, he went up to the plate 12 times. In those 12 times, he had 3 hits: 2 singles and one home run. His postseason average sits at .250. His numbers may not be as impressive as the other Matt’s but he hit the home run that was heard around the baseball world. After being down by two, and having two runners on in the bottom of the 7th, Matt Adams hit THE home run of the postseason (so far) for the Cardinals. It wasn’t a very long home run (I think all of Cardinal Nation willed its last couple of inches), but a home run is a home run is a home run. Especially when it puts you up 3-2 to stay for the clinching game. In St. Louis.
Thank you, Matt and Matt, for allowing us Cardinal fans to keep the dream alive!
They pulled it out again. Let’s ride this adrenaline into the NLCS!
As always…Go Cards!
Photo: zimbio.com
