MLB – Writer’s Predictions for 2015 the National League Division Series

It’s October, and the MLB Postseason kicks into gear as the division series for the respective leagues go into play. Over in the National League are two, incredible series.

The Chicago Cubs have a chance to make Back to the Future’s 2015 World Series prediction come into fruition. But they have the majors’ best St. Louis Cardinals to deal with in the NLDS. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are another of the surprise teams to make the playoffs this season. They’re set to meet one of National League’s best in the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Read on as we break down this year’s NLDS. If you want to look further into this year’s National League playoffs, then check out the Mets vs. Dodgers series preview.
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Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals NLDS Predictions

Game 1: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals

Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis

When: Friday, October 9, 6:45 PM ET

Line: Chicago Cubs (-104) at St. Louis Cardinals (-106); total 6.5 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) vs. John Lackey (13-10, 2.77 ERA)

The Chicago Cubs used their ace Jake Arrieta to win the Wild Card game. They have another ace up their sleeves in Jon Lester who takes the mound for Game 1 of the NLDS. Lester is one of the most experienced players in a very young, but very game team. He brings with him two World Series titles under his belt.

[sc:MLB240banner ]The Cubs’ ace looked pretty solid leading up to the postseason. Lester allowed two or less earned runs in five of his six starts in September. He finished 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA that month after going 2-2 with a head-scratching 5.04 ERA in August. Lester has been pretty solid against the Cardinals this season, going 1-2 with a 1.78 ERA in four starts.

The Cards counter with a pretty solid pitcher themselves in John Lackey. The St. Louis starter posted a 2.29 ERA and 40 strikeouts to nine balls in his last six starts. He’s struggled to limit the Cubs’ bats in his career allowing his NLDS opponents to hit .281 against him in his career. But Lackey has managed to limit the Cubs’ this season, going 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in three starts.

Writer’s prediction: The Cubs win behind a strong performance from Lester.

Game 2: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals

Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis

When: Saturday, October 10, 5:37 PM ET

Line: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95 ERA) vs. Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43 ERA)

Kyle Hendricks wasn’t too good on the road in the regular season. While he went 6-4 in 17 road starts, he had a 4.47 ERA. He allowed four earned runs on six hits, including a homer in his lone start at Busch Stadium this season. Hendricks has struggled the most against the Cards’ Matt Carpenter (6 of 10 with one homer) and Matt Holliday (6 of 12 with two homers) in his young career.

Jaime Garcia is the exact opposite. He’s played extremely well at Busch Stadium this year, going 5-2 with a 1.70 ERA in 10 home starts. But he’s been pretty hittable when the Cubs’ Starlin Castro is at the plate. Castro is 4 of 13 with a double in his career against Garcia. The Cards have won six straight home games started by Garcia.

Writer’s prediction: The Cards even the series at one game apiece.

Game 3: St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago

When: TBD

Line: St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Michael Wacha (17-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Jake Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA)

The Cubs have the luxury of putting Arrieta on the mound to start off their two-game stretch at Wrigley Field in the NLDS. Arrieta looked unstoppable in the Wild Card game against Pittsburgh, pitching a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts. He hasn’t lost a game since July 25, going 11-0 with a 0.75 ERA in his final 13 regular season starts.

Arrieta hasn’t pitched against the Cards during that stretch though; he’s 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts against St. Louis in the regular season. The Cards counter with their own young, outstanding pitcher in Michael Wacha, who is 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts against the Cubs.

Writer’s prediction: The Cubs regain the series lead with a blowout of the Cardinals.

Game 4: St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago

When: TBD

Line: St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74 ERA) (tentative) vs. Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03 ERA)

The Cubs plan to start Jason Hammel in Game 4 of their NLDS against St. Louis, but only if he doesn’t pitch in relief in any of the first three games. While Hammel is a disappointing 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in three regular season starts against the Cardinals, the Cubs could get clinch the series with big performances at the plate. Anthony Rizzo is a solid .345 hitter against the Cards’ Lance Lynn with two homers and eight RBIs.

Writer’s prediction: The Cubs clinch the series in a slugfest.

New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers NLDS Predictions

Game 1: New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

When: Friday, October 9, 9:45 PM ET

Line: New York Mets (+170) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-200); total 5.5 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.13 ERA)

Jacob deGrom must be feeling pretty good ahead of his NLDS Game 1 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched for 7.2 shutout innings, allowing just two hits to hold the Dodgers to a .080 batting average. But that start came at home; deGrom hasn’t been as sharp on the road with a 3.09 ERA.

deGrom will need to be extra sharp in this game, considering that he faces off against one of the NL’s best pitchers in Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers ace was solid to end the regular season, going 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA. The Dodgers have won eight of Kershaw’s last nine starts against the Mets.

Writer’s prediction: Kershaw shuts out the Mets to win Game 1.

Game 2: New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

When: Saturday, October 10, 9:07 PM ET

Line: New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (19-3, 1.66 ERA)

Fans of pitching will be pretty happy in this matchup between New York’s Noah Syndergaard and Los Angeles’ Zack Greinke. Both pitchers have been solid against their respective opponents. Syndergaard has allowed the Dodgers to hit just .091 in his lone career start against them. Greinke was solid in his two starts against the Mets this season, going 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. But he is susceptible to the deep ball, having allowed a homer each against Michael Cuddyer, Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson, Juan Lagares and Juan Uribe.

Writer’s prediction: The Mets hammer Greinke to even the series.

Game 3: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets

Where: Citi Field, New York

When: Monday, October 12, TBA

Line: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: Brett Anderson (10-9, 3.69 ERA) vs. Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA)

The Dodgers’ Brett Anderson must be getting sick playing at night after the regular season. He was 8-8 with a 4.01 ERA in 26 night starts. Anderson had the most losses (nine) among the Dodgers’ starting rotation in the regular season, which is pretty concerning in a crucial Game 3 in the NLDS. The Mets’ Matt Harvey loves pitching at Citi Field, going 8-3 with a 2.23 ERA in 17 home starts.

Harvey hasn’t been pretty solid against the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts. He’s allowed three homers against the Dodgers this season.

Writer’s prediction: The Mets batter Anderson to take a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets

Where: Citi Field, New York

When: Tuesday, October 13, 8:07 PM ET

Line: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: TBS

Pitching Matchup: TBA vs. Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27 ERA)

The Mets do not have one of their aces to pitch in a crucial NLDS Game 4 against the Dodgers. But they should be pretty well taken care of with rookie left-hander Steven Matz on the mound. Matz is a perfect 4-0 in six starts at the major league level this season. He was impressive in his lone appearance against the Dodgers, pitching in six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in an 8-0 victory.

Writer’s prediction: Matz closes out the series. The Mets advance to the NLCS.

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