NLCS: Game 6 and 7 Pitching Matchups

The Giants are back in front of the faithful tonight, but have gone 1-3 there this postseason after posting a very acceptable 48-33 record at home this year. The Cardinals are 3-2 on the road in the playoffs after a below-.500 38-43 on the road during the regular season, so it’s not like they’re some juggernaut away from home, but they still are one win away from sending the Giants packing. I’m sure the Giants would rather order cleanup services for their home locker room than the visitor’s, so the Giants arms are the beginning towards making the preferred course of action happen.

Today, 4;37PM PST, FOX: RHP Chris Carpenter vs. RHP Ryan Vogelsong

Vogelsong had his two-seamer working well, along with other pitches to go for 7 and allow only two walks, and see one run get earned. Carpenter, like Lance Lynn, couldn’t get to the fifth inning. Matt Holliday proved to be very helpful by letting a Marco Scutaro line drive to him go straight through the wickets and would be the nail in the coffin to tying the series up at one. The Giants will need those big hits again to tie the series up at three.

Tomorrow, 5:07PM PST, FOX, if the Giants win today: RHP Kyle Lohse vs. RHP Matt Cain

Game 3: the game where Matt Cain got Cain’d. If the Giants face a Game 7 at home, they will have the momentum on their side, but that doesn’t mean Matt Cain magically pitches better or the Cardinals hitters forget how to hit. Kyle Lohse walked five but the Giants couldn’t get anyone home like they could in Games 1 and 2. You also have to imagine Game 7 will be a game of shorter leashes and more chips being pushed in, and if the Giants are caught playing catch-up against the Cardinals bullpen, it could be a 2006 reunion with St. Louis and Detroit on the horizon. If the Giants can hand the lead to the bullpen, I expect it will be a very happy beginning of the week for San Francisco.

Here’s to another great three-game winning streak happening.