2012 MLB NLCS Picks and Odds: St Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants Predictions – Free NLCS Picks

2012 MLB Playoffs Picks: St Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants Odds and Predictions – Free MLB NLCS Picks: After being on the verge of elimination, the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants staged separate, but equally impressive, comebacks in their divisional series. After dropping their first two games at home, the Giants won the final three games against the Reds in Cincinnati, handing the Reds their first three-game home losing streak of the season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals scored four runs with two outs in the ninth inning of Game 5 against Washington to win 9-7. Now, the last two World Series winners will battle in the National League Championship Series for the right to play for another championship. The magic has to run out for one of these teams.

The ability to stage amazing comebacks isn’t the only thing these teams have in common. Both sides were among the most balanced teams in the majors. San Francisco ranked seventh in team ERA during the regular while St. Louis ranked eighth. Meanwhile, the Cardinals had the fourth-best team batting average, and the Giants had the fifth-best team batting average. Dissecting the numbers a bit further, St. Louis’ lineup is a bit more dangerous with players like Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina and Allen Craig able to change the game with one swing of the bat. San Francisco, on the other hand, has the deeper the starting rotation. Prior to the playoffs, the Cardinals would have had a clear edge in the bullpen, but the Giants’ relievers have really come together for the stretch run with Sergio Romo filling in for injured closer Brian Wilson. Add it all up, and a competitive series should be on tap.

The Cardinals Win If:

At this point, the Cardinals could be down 10 runs with two outs in the ninth inning, and I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see them rally to win. Whenever a starter falters, the bullpen picks them up. Whenever one player strands a base runner, the next guy up knocks them in. This particular group of players just seems to be at its best when the pressure is on and their backs are against the wall. For St. Louis, winning the series comes down to maintaining the magic that began last October. These Cardinals are battle tested, and they have no fear in any situation. As long as that doesn’t suddenly change, St. Louis is going to be tough to eliminate.

The Giants Win If:

If there is a team this postseason that can match the clutch factor the Cardinals bring to the table, it is the Giants. Winning three straight elimination games on the road has to galvanize a team. On the field, San Francisco’s lineup needs to protect Buster Posey in order to keep pace with the powerful lineup of the Cardinals. Angel Pagan, Pablo Sandoval and others did just that in the final three games against Cincinnati, and the Giants’ offense reached another level. If players around Posey continue to produce, San Francisco has the depth in its rotation and a hot enough bullpen to finally knockout St. Louis.

Bottom Line:

Matchups don’t get much better than this one. Two playoff-tested teams with a ton of momentum are going to go head to head, and as balanced as both teams are, it is the little things that are going to make the difference. St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter is 10-2 with a 2.88 ERA in the postseason. Meanwhile, Beltran has 13 home runs 23 RBIs and a .375 average in 28 postseason games. In what should be an evenly matched series, the playoff history of both players tips the scales in favor of St. Louis. For once, they might not even have to wait until they are facing elimination to advance.

Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals Win in 6 Games

St Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants
St Louis Cardinals +100
San Francisco Giants -120

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