The MLB Playoff Standings took a drastic turn as there are now three teams capable of clinching the division on Monday. After Sunday's results, the standings have tipped in favor of two teams in the National League as only NLDS action took place. Which two teams are one game away from clinching?
N.L. Division Series
Pedro "Clutch"varez
The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates played a great game, providing back-to-back dramatic MLB games. It was Pedro Alvarez who to care of things in the bottom of the eighth, driving in a run in his third consecutive game in the playoffs. The run gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead, a game they eventually won 5-3 as their pitching showed up and shutdown the Cardinals' offense.
Francisco Liriano looked somewhat human, allowing a two-run single that tied the game in the top of the fifth. However, he went six innings, allowing only two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five. Second year pitcher, Joe Kelly went 5.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs on five hits and four walks.
Carlos Martinez took the loss as he could not hold the tie late in the game. It was Carlos Beltran who had tied the game in the top of the eighth off Pirates' pitcher, Mark Melancon.
Tomorrow, the Pirates will have a chance to clinch in front of their home crowd. The last thing they want is to return to St. Louis with Adam Wainwright scheduled to take the ball in Game 5. The Cardinals' season will depend on Michael Wacha. Charlie Morton will have a chance to lock up the series for the Pirates, helping them advance to the NL Championship Series.
Teheran Torched, Braves Bullied
The Atlanta Braves will have their backs against the wall. If they do not win tomorrow, they will still have to face Clayton Kershaw in Game 5. The Los Angeles Dodgers might have put the series away with their crushing victory of the Braves, completely hounding them in Game 3 of the series.
L.A. won Game 3 by the score of 13-6 as the Braves' pitching was barely able to retire Dodger hitters on Sunday evening. Five hitters finished with at least two hits and two RBI in this game. However, Hanley Ramirez continued terrorizing Braves' pitching in this series, going 3-4 with a walk, three runs scored and two RBI. He is hitting a whopping .538 in this series. The Braves can't get him out and he is coming up with big hits.
Braves pitching surrendered 14 hits and nine earned runs in this outing that they will surely try to forget. Luis Ayala, Luis Avilan and David Hale were the only of six Braves pitchers able to put up scoreless innings.
The Braves will hope that Freddy Garcia, the 36-year-old veteran, can keep them alive for at least one more game, allowing the series to shift back to Atlanta for Game 5.