The Chicago Cubs won Game 3 of the best-of-five NLDS over the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6 which puts them one win away from the team’s first trip to the NLCS since 2003. For the Cardinals, a win tomorrow would send the series back to St. Louis for a winner-take-all Game 5 and anything can happen at that point. Although the momentum is on the side of the Cubs, the Cardinals are trying to make it to the team’s fifth straight NLCS. Here are five bold predictions for how this crucial Game 4 will play out.
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
5. Dexter Fowler Will Have Multiple Hits and Stolen Bases
Getty ImagesAlthough Fowler is only hitting .231 in this series, he's made his hits count. After teaming with Kyle Schwarber and Jake Arrieta to eliminate the Pittsburgh Pirates, Fowler has a .769 OPS in the postseason which is remarkable considering the low average. Against John Lackey, Fowler is 2-for-7 career and he will improve upon those numbers in Game 4.
4. Jhonny Peralta Will Launch a Home Run
Getty Images
Peralta is hitting .091 with a .273 OPS in this series, and his struggles are a big reason why the Cardinals are down in this series. The good news for Peralta and the Cardinals is that the shortstop is 9-for-22 career against Cubs starter Jason Hammel and that includes two home runs and eight RBIs.
3. Kyle Schwarber Will Have 2 or More RBIs
Getty ImagesSchwarber has been the offensive star of the postseason for the Cubs. It's amazing to think that just last year, he was playing college baseball for Indiana. Although the big, burly left fielder has never faced Lackey, he's so locked in that it doesn't matter who's on the mound -- he's going to rake.
2. Jason Heyward Will Have 3 Hits
Getty ImagesI predicted that Heyward would have success against Jake Arrieta in Game 3 because of his career numbers against the Cubs' ace. His numbers are even better against Hammel as Heyward is 9-for-18 lifetime. If the Cardinals are going to extend this series to a Game 5, it will be on Heyward's shoulders.
1. Jorge Soler Will Hit a Walk-Off Home Run to Send the Cubs to the NLCS
Getty ImagesIn this postseason, Soler is 4-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs and five walks. He has a perfect 1.000 OBP and he is 4-for-8 career against Lackey. He's found his stride at the perfect time for the Cubs, and what a fitting end it would be if Soler were to hit a walk-off home run to send the Cubs to the NLCS.
