The Cardinals and the Dodgers are the two most storied franchises in the National League and they will square off this year in a highly anticipated playoff series. Here is how the two teams stack up.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Pitching:
The Cardinals have the best 1-2 punch in baseball in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainright, both Cy Young Award candidates. They have combined to throw 21 innings vs. the Dodgers this year, allowing just 3 runs. Joel Piniero has had a very good season as the #3 starter. Ryan Franklin had an excellent year as the Cardinals closer but struggled in September. The rest of the Cardinals bullpen is pretty average.
As for the Dodgers, they have a solid, if unspectacular starting rotation with guys like Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, and John Garland. All have pitched well at times this year, but they've been inconsistent. The strength of the Dodgers' pitching staff is an excellent bullpen anchored by their star closer Jonathon Broxton.
Edge to the Cardinals in the pitching department, based mostly on the dominant top of the rotation.
Offense:
The Cardinals offense struggled for much of the season outside of Pujols, who had his typical monster year and should win another Most Valuable Player Award. They finished the season ranked 19th in baseball in runs scored. The lineup improved though, with the addition of Matt Holiday who added some much needed power and protection for Pujols. Ryan Ludwick picked up his game in the second half and gave the offense a much needed boost. Overall, though, it is not a very deep lineup and they struggled down the stretch.
The Dodgers on the other hand, do have a deep lineup. They have Manny Ramirez, one of the best hitters in baseball along with solid young thitters like James Loney, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier. 1-8, just about everyone is a tough out. Of some concern, though, is that they struggled to score runs down the stretch, almost costing them the division.
Edge goes to the Dodgers here as they have the deeper lineup top to bottom.
Defense:
The Cardinals are not a very good defensive team. They finished 15th in the majors in fewest errors. Yadier Molina, though, is an excellent defensive catcher and great at throwing out runners.
The Dodgers are a very good defensive team. They committed the 7th fewest amount of errors in the majors. Ramires is shaky in left but everywhere else they are pretty solid.
Edge goes to the Dodgers here.
Coaching:
Tony Larussa is one of the best managers in baseball and has won World Series with two different teams.
Joe Torre has a knack for pushing all the right buttons and has won four championships with the New York Yankees.
Have to call it a push in the coaching department.
Final Analysis:
Both teams ended the season poorly but the Cardinals struggled late in '06 and they went on to win the World Series proving they can turn it on when the playoffs start. The Dodgers offensive woes late in the season are a concern, and they are unlikely to break out of it against the Cardinals. Even though the Dodgers are the better team outside of the starting pitching, it is dominant starting pitching that wins in the playoffs and the Cardinals have that.
Prediction: Cardinals in 4
