Post-season Gameday Thread, #9: Two teams enter, one team leaves!

2:02 pm - Cardinals @ Braves (2-2)

Really more of an appetizer, this one. I don’t have a particular dog in this fight. Part of me wants the Cardinals to win, for Goldschmidt’s sake. But then there’s Molina. Not a fan. And, also, if the Dodgers get through in the other half of the Division Series, I think the Braves probably have a better chance of taking them down. Which is basically all I care about. It should be a good pitching match-up, and is a repeat of Game 2 on both sides. The Braves did a good job of handling Jack Flaherty there, and Mike Foltynewicz threw seven shutout innings, so they would seem to have an edge, along with home-field advantage. But in a win or go home contest like this, the team that makes fewest mistakes will probably prevail.

5:37 pm - Nationals @ Dodgers (2-2)

And then there’s the main course, which could see the Dodgers eliminated at the first hurdle. That would merit a drink tonight if it happens. It would be particularly nice for the Nationals to make the Championship series for the first time since 1981, as the Expos - in their first year after Bryce Harper bailed for the Phailed Phillies. Both starters pitched well earlier in the series, though did not face each other. Combined, Stephen Strasburg and Walker Buehler pitched 12 innings of one-run ball, with a K:BB ratio of 18:3, and allowed four hits between them. Who will blink first? It would make for a lovely, stress-free post-season if it ended up being the Dodgers. I have my meme ready. Here’s hoping I get to use it.