Ala Hann Sport picks

Sportsbook fans are fired up for October baseball, and the Cardinals vs. Dodgers series should be very close and exciting. The Dodgers finished 95-67, good enough to win the National League West. The Cardinals went 91-71 while running away with the National League Central. Now it’s time to see who advances to the NL Championship Series.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. LA Dodgers

Series begins Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9:37 p.m. ET

THE LINEUP: The Dodgers have a very deep lineup; every starter is capable of doing some damage. Though his power numbers are down somewhat, Manny Ramirez will anchor Los Angeles. Ramirez is a proven playoff performer who instills fear in his opponents. Youngsters Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp will get a chance to prove themselves on the national stage; they combined for 57 home runs and 207 RBIs this season. There’s a lot of speed here too, with players like Kemp, Juan Pierre, Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, are a two-man team when it comes to hitting the baseball. Luckily, those two men are very good at what they do. Albert Pujols is the likely National League MVP after putting up his typically gaudy numbers (.327, 47, 135). His partner in crime, Matt Holliday, was a bust in Oakland but tore the cover off the ball after joining the St. Louis midseason, hitting .353 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs in just 63 games.

STARTING PITCHING: St. Louis enjoys a big edge here. Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Joel Pineiro are as dominant a trio you’ll find among all the playoff teams; they combined to go 27-7 since the All-Star break. Carpenter won NL Comeback Player of the Year honors this week, and he might be adding another trophy to his case—the Cy Young—before award season is over. It doesn’t take gambling software to tell you the Cards are in good shape here.

The Dodgers planned on Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw to carry the load in 2009, but the youngsters suffered through regression and injuries all season. Both have great stuff and are capable of dominating, but we haven’t seen much of it this season. There isn’t much to look at after those two, unless you like veteran retreads a la Randy Wolf or Jon Garland. That’s not good news for LA’s MLB playoff odds.

BULLPEN: St. Louis and Los Angeles are fairly evenly matched in this department. The Dodgers finished first in bullpen ERA this season, with the Cardinals not too far behind at fifth. Jonathan Broxton closes for LA; he had 36 saves and a 2.61 ERA this year. His counterpart, Ryan Franklin, was even more effective, notching 38 saves with a 1.92 ERA.

THE PICK: This should be an entertaining matchup. There’s a lot to like from both teams but, ultimately, pitching usually decides who lives and dies in the postseason. Nobody can compete with St. Louis’ top three, especially in a five-game series. Los Angeles will keep it close, but Carpenter, Wainwright and Pineiro will carry the Cardinals to the next round; bet St. Louis with your MLB picks.

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