The Atlanta Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game. Although both squads wrapped the season up winning seven of ten, the Braves have the edge in this matchup and it will all be in the hands of Kris Medlen.
Medlen was the best pitcher in the majors at the end of the season. His roughest outing came against the Miami Marlins where he threw seven innings and allowed three runs. Not to mention that the Braves have won 23 games in a row when Medlen starts.
The Braves' top of the lineup has been struggling, but with veteran Dan Uggla heating up batting 6/15 (.400) in his last five games of the season and youngster Jason Heyward hitting safely in seven of the last ten games, the Braves have enough to put up runs behind Medlen.
Kyle Lohse has been a great pitcher this year, quietly racking up 16 victories in the season. However, in his last two starts he has allowed seven runs in 12 innings combined.
Let it be known, if he gives up this many runs today, the Cardinals will not have a chance.
The Cardinals have a good middle of the lineup that has reawakened, but today's matchup is all about pitching, so I do not see the Cardinals' bats coming to life.
I see the Braves rallying past the Cardinals as they ride the Chipper Jones wave in attempt to honor the future hall of famer's last season in the majors.
I can't say the Braves are a true contender for the title, but they have the starting pitching and the bullpen depth to get past the Cardinals tonight.
Prediction: Braves win 4-2 and advance to the NLDS to face the Washington Nationals.
Pitching preview:
Kyle Lohse: 16-3, 2.86 ERA. 211 IP and 143 K
Kris Medlen: 10-1, 1.57 ERA 138 IP and 120 K
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