2020 National League Divisional Series Preview

Clayton Kershaw (Arturo Pardavilla III, Wikimedia Commons)

After the American League Divisional Series began on Monday from wins by the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, it is time for the National League Divisional Series to start. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres play in an all-National League West Division matchup from Arlington, Texas, while the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins play in an all-National League East Division matchup from Houston.

The Dodgers won six of 10 meetings this year against the Padres, while the Braves won six of 10 meetings against the Marlins. This is the first time since 2006 that San Diego is in the playoffs and the first time since 2003 that the Marlins are in the postseason. That year the Miami Marlins were known as the Florida Marlins, and they beat the New York Yankees in six games.

The Dodgers enter the NLDS with the best record in baseball during the regular season at 43 wins and 17 losses. However one must remember the postseason has not brought the best out of LA in recent years. They have not won the World Series since 1988 despite making the playoffs 13 times since then. In the wildcard round, the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers in two games. Game two was all about Clayton Kershaw, who was dominant in a 3-0 Los Angeles win. Kershaw pitched eight innings and had 13 strikeouts.

The Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals two games to one. After losing 7-4 to St. Louis in game one, the Padres bounced back with an 11-9 win in game two, and a 4-0 win in game three. Game two was all about the Padres offense, as Fernando Tatis and Wil Meyers each hit two home runs. Tatis had five runs batted in. Game three was about the Padres pitching as nine different Padres pitchers were used, as they blanked the Cardinals hitters, and only allowed them to get four hits as a team.

The Marlins went into Wrigley, and outscored the Chicago Cubs 7-1 with a 5-1 game one win and a 2-0 game two win. The Marlins must have been thrilled with their pitching. Sandy Alcantara was brilliant in game one (one earned run in 6 2/3 innings), and Sixto Sanchez was great in game two as he pitched five shutout innings.

Talking about pitching, the Atlanta Braves pitchers were even better against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds simply could not score on Braves pitching. Despite 11 hits in game one, Cincinnati could not score in 13 innings in a 1-0 loss. Then in game two, Atlanta blanked Cincinnati with a 5-0 win. Atlanta got great starting pitching from Max Fried and Ian Anderson, and hope to get the same against Miami.

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