The Dodgers fell behind again their NLDS matchup with the Cardinals after last night's game in St. Louis. Los Angeles could only scatter seven hits and score one run throughout the game, while Kolten Wong hit the go-ahead two-run home run for the Cardinals in the seventh inning.
Los Angeles received a solid outing from left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, but couldn't get anything going against John Lackey. Ryu surrendered only five hits, one walk and one earned run in six innings of work. Lackey was better, lasting seven innings and giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out eight. But the bullpen was the difference in Game 3.
Ryu was pulled after the sixth inning as his pitch count was nearing 100, and Don Mattingly decided to call left-hander Scott Elbert from the bullpen. Elbert's third career postseason appearance didn't go so well. After giving up a leadoff double to Yadier Molina, the tie was broken two batters later when Wong smacked a two-run shot to right center. With two outs, Elbert gave up another double to Matt Carpenter and was then pulled from the game and relieved by Brandon League.
The Dodgers got out of the inning and later attempted a rally in the ninth when Hanley Ramirez and Carl Crawford got on base with only one out, but Juan Uribe and A.J. Ellis both flied out to end the game, resulting in a 3-1 loss. The Dodgers will now face elimination on Tuesday night for the series' final game in St. Louis when Clayton Kershaw takes the mound against Shelby Miller. Kershaw was knocked around in Game 1 and was handed his third straight postseason loss to the Cardinals.
Dating back to the 2013 NLCS, Kershaw is 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA against St. Louis. Despite leading the MLB in ERA over the past four seasons - making him the first pitcher in baseball history to do so - his playoff numbers are nowhere comparable: the left-hander is 1-4 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 10 postseason appearances (seven starts). He'll face the 23-year-old Shelby Miller, who will make his first career postseason start for the Cardinals. Miller made three playoff appearances in 2012 and 2013, but only as a reliever (0-0 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.39 WHIP).
Miller had a solid 2014 campaign thanks to a 10-9 record with a 3.74 ERA. He faced the Dodgers twice this season - in one start (5 IP, 6 ER) and in one relief appearance (1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB). And if Los Angeles wants to stay alive they're going to need to get the bats going. They've scored only four runs and have 15 hits in the past two games (18 innings) and Adrian Gonzalez, after having his best season since 2011, is just 2-for-12 with one home run and three RBIs this series.
The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1 this evening at 5:07 p.m. and will be followed by the Washington Nationals at the San Francisco Giants at 9:07 p.m.
UPDATE: Yasiel Puig is NOT in the starting lineup for tonight's game.
