3 Things to get excited about for Braves-Cardinals Game 5
By Sean Sears
The pitching match-up is appointment viewing worthy
The Cardinals will trot out NL Cy-Young candidate Jack Flaherty and his impressive 2.75 ERA on the season, and he’s been even better in the 2nd half with an insane 0.91 ERA after the All-Star break. Flaherty has been the Cardinals MVP on the season, so it’s only fitting he take the ball in Game 5 with the season on the line.
The Braves have lefty Mike Foltynewicz going in Game 5, who’s been a completely different pitcher in the 2nd half with a 2.65 ERA, coming off a dominating Game 2 performance where he outdueled Flaherty with seven innings of scoreless baseball. Atlanta is going to need another performance like he had last Friday in the Braves Game 2 because Flaherty is going to come out with something to prove after a sub-par postseason debut.
But even with the down performance in Game 2, it’s hard to go against Flaherty and impressive 2nd half numbers where opposing batters only managed to hit .149 with five home runs. The Cardinals have the edge on the mound with their ace going in Game 5, so Atlanta will either have to attack Flaherty early, otherwise it could be another grinding game.