2012 MLB NLDS Picks and Odds: St Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals Predictions – Free NLDS Picks

2012 MLB Playoffs Picks: St Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals Odds and Predictions – Free MLB NLDS Picks: The franchise that is now the Washington Nationals last reached the postseason in 1981, but that changed in a big way this season. The Nationals won an NL-leading 98 games this season and are set to take on the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. The Cardinals enter the series fresh off a 6-3 win over Atlanta in the first-ever Wild Card Game, giving them five straight wins in winner-take-all scenarios. Now, it is time to find out if Washington’s dream season is going to continue or if the magic that St. Louis found last October is going to carry over for another title push. The series kicks off Sunday in St. Louis.

While rookie sensation Bryce Harper got a lot of headlines, the strength of the Nationals all season was pitching. As a team, Washington ranked in the top five in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts during the regular season, and starters Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg all had ERAs of 3.16 or lower. Meanwhile, the Cardinals lineup was the backbone of the team for most of the year. St. Louis ranked in the top five in batting average and runs scored. Ironically, both teams became more balanced as the year progressed. Washington’s offense improved down the stretch as the likes of Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse and Jayson Werth got healthy. Meanwhile, St. Louis’ rotation was bolstered by the return of former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter and the steady improvement of Adam Wainwright, who had elbow surgery last season. As a result, two rock solid teams are going head to head in this series.

The Cardinals Win If:

With the likes of Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig and Yadier Molina dotting the lineup, the Cardinals can score some runs. However, they can’t expect to light up Washington’s elite pitching in every game of the series. St. Louis is going to need Carpenter and Wainwright to be the pitchers they were prior to their injuries and hold the Washington offense in check. As long as the St. Louis offense doesn’t need to score five or six runs to win games in the series, the Cardinals should be in great shape. The Cardinals are also in great shape the closer the games are and the longer the series goes. This current group of players has been as a good as any team in recent memory at winning pressure-packed games, and they are playing a Washington team that is severely lacking in playoff experience. If St. Louis forces a deciding Game 5, the Cardinals should be heading back to the NLCS.

The Nationals Win If:

Since Strasburg has been shut down for the season, Gonzalez and Zimmerman are left as the two ace-caliber starters. If these two take care of business and dominate the way they have most of the year, Washington will be in the driver’s seat. In a five-game series, Gonzalez and Zimmerman should combine to start at least three games, and three wins is all it takes to advance. Offensively, a big series from Werth and Harper would be huge. The Washington offense is at its best when these two are getting on base in front of the big bats in the middle of the lineup. For what it’s worth, Harper led baseball in runs scored in September and hit over .300 for the month. If he carries the momentum into the postseason, the Nationals’ offense should be able to provide more than enough support for the team’s excellent pitching.

Bottom Line:

For Washington, it isn’t a case of one or two hot months carrying them to a division title.  The Nationals have been strong from April through September, and there is no reason their success shouldn’t continue in October. Washington’s lineup is as good as it has been all year, and while the depth in the rotation is hurt by the loss of Strasburg, the blow is lessened by the setup of the playoffs that already feature shortened rotations. Yes, St. Louis has a stout lineup in its own right but questions about its pitching remain. Washington won 10 more games than the Cardinals during the regular season for a reason. The Nationals have been the best team in the National League all season, and they have more than enough power in their lineup to support their excellent pitching staff and advance.

Prediction: Washington Nationals Win in 4 Games

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