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Every selection in daily fantasy baseball requires careful consideration for a number of factors. You only get one day to make your mark, so you don’t want to waste a pick at any position.

With a full set of games Saturday, the key will be to take advantage of the best matchups both at the plate and on the mound. It’s tough to predict the future, but you can give yourself a great chance of having success by following this strategy.

Also, remember to check lineups before the game to ensure each player is set to play.

Top Pitcher Picks

Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals ($8,700)

If you had Jordan Zimmermann in your lineup in his last start, you likely won’t ever pick him again. The right-hander allowed eight runs (seven earned) in just 2.1 innings against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.

However, the All-Star is too good to get rocked two games in a row, especially with the next start coming against the struggling Philadelphia Phillies. Returning to his comfort zone in Nationals Park (plus no more designated hitters) will allow him to bounce back for a quality start.

Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay Rays ($7,600)

While grabbing a stud pitcher like Felix Hernandez always makes sense, you can save some of your budget by instead going after a lesser-known pitcher like Jake Odorizzi.

The 25-year-old starter is off to an outstanding start with just one run allowed in 14.2 innings pitched. Going up against a New York Yankees lineup that has been very inconsistent this year should allow him to keep up his momentum.

Pitchers to Avoid

Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees ($10,200)

Although Masahiro Tanaka got the win in his last start, he was far from his old self. He has now allowed nine runs (seven earned) in nine total innings over two games. Zach Braziller of the New York Post summed it up:

Tanaka has a decreased velocity on his fastball and simply can’t get swinging strikes at the same rate he was last season. Until he fixes his problems, it might be best to avoid the Japanese star.

Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox ($10,500)

This is not a slight against Chris Sale, who is one of the top pitchers in baseball. However, when you spend big money you want a guarantee the starter will come through with a dominant performance. You simply cannot do that against the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers are currently 9-1 and have a loaded lineup full of right-handed hitters who could be tough on Sale. While he might still have a strong game, you might be better off picking a safer option for cheaper.

Top Hitter Picks

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves ($4,200)

Going up against a knuckleballer like R.A. Dickey is usually a scary proposition, especially if you have never seen him pitch before. However, Freddie Freeman has plenty of experience against the former New York Mets pitcher.

The first baseman is 10-for-21 in his career against Dickey with two home runs and four doubles. Look for more of the same on Saturday.

Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles ($5,100)

Stick with the hot streak. Adam Jones has been one of the top hitters in baseball over the past couple of weeks and there is no reason to expect this to stop in his trip to Fenway Park.

The outfielder is always a threat for home runs, which also brings in runs and RBI at a high rate. If he gets the opportunity, he could be in line for a huge day at the plate.

Hitters to Avoid

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers ($3,700)

Although he still has the price of one of the top hitters at his position, Adrian Beltre has not performed at this level so far in 2015. Going up against Felix Hernandez usually isn’t the way to cure a cold streak either.

He actually has had moderate success against the former Cy Young award winner (.294 in 34 at bats), but this doesn’t seem like a smart bet at this time.

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies ($4,500)

Tulowitzki is clearly one of the best shortstops in baseball, but he has struggled lately to provide fantasy players with much besides singles. Playing away from Coors Field against a solid starter in Zach Greinke does not indicate he will have much more success in his next game.

For the price, you might be better off finding someone else at the position.

Team to Stack

New York Mets

Miami Marlins pitcher Mat Latos has been awful to begin the year. You really can’t sugarcoat it any better when a pitcher has just 4.2 innings pitched in two starts. He probably will improve upon his current 17.36 ERA, but he isn’t all of a sudden going to turn into an ace.

With the New York Mets having plenty of lefties like Daniel Murphy, Curtis Granderson and the red-hot Lucas Duda, fantasy players could get a lot of production from this lineup.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference. 

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A full day of action creates a lot of opportunity to make some money in daily fantasy baseball, but you have to make sure you grab the right players for your team.

With so many top pitchers available, you shouldn’t be afraid of spending a high percentage of your budget on the big names while saving money elsewhere. Just make sure you don’t end up wasting it on the wrong options.

Here is a look at the best and worst picks available for Saturday.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of Baseball Reference. 

Pitchers

Top Picks

David Price, Detroit Tigers ($10,600)

Did you see how in control he was on Opening Day? David Price finished his first start one out away from a complete game shutout, instead totaling 8.2 scoreless innings in a winning effort.

His teammate Joba Chamberlain summed it up after the game:

While the Cleveland Indians have a few more intimidating hitters than the Minnesota Twins, Price has a good chance to put together another stellar performance and carry fantasy teams in the process.

Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels ($8,000)

Although Jered Weaver didn’t have a great showing in his first start with four runs allowed in six innings, he should be able to bounce back Saturday.

Returning home to Anaheim will be a blessing for Weaver, who has fared much better in his own ballpark throughout his career. His 2.66 ERA at home compared to just a 3.94 mark on the road is a massive difference, and it was even bigger in 2014 (2.68 home ERA vs. 4.70 road ERA).

No matter what the issue, all you have to worry about is him getting back to his dominant form against the Kansas City Royals.

Avoid

Doug Fister, Washington Nationals ($7,800)

For most of the season, you will be in good shape grabbing Washington Nationals pitchers as the group has the best rotation in baseball. When the team is healthy, there should be a lot of wins up for grabs.

Unfortunately, the lineup is missing a few key hitters and until players like Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth return from injury, the Nats will struggle to score. Against Cole Hamels, you can’t expect much run support.

To make things worse, Doug Fister does not add too many strikeouts with just 98 in 164 innings last season. This makes him a weak fantasy option going forward.

Hitters

Top Picks

Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals ($4,100)

Most are quick to avoid lefty vs. lefty matchups for hitters, but a deeper look shows why Bryce Harper can still succeed. Primarily, opposing pitcher Cole Hamels has never been especially hard on lefties as his fastball-changeup approach hurts both types of hitters equally.

Additionally, Harper has fared well against Hamels in his career, hitting .320 in 25 at-bats. The two also have some bad blood between each other, making every at-bat interesting.

With Harper showing his ability against just about every pitcher in baseball, he remains a solid pick for your team.

Travis d’Arnaud, C, New York Mets ($3,600)

Julio Teheran is a pretty tough matchup for opposing hitters, but Travis d’Arnaud has fared well against all comers so far this year.

The young hitter already has RBI hits against ace-level pitchers in Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg, so the Atlanta Braves starter shouldn’t be any scarier on the mound.

Finding a good catcher is difficult in fantasy baseball, but d’Arnaud could provide some quality production without breaking the bank.

Avoid

Robinson Cano, 2B, Seattle Mariners ($4,200)

While the lack of top second-base options makes Robinson Cano so valuable at the position, this is not the time to splurge on the Seattle Mariners star. He is going up against Sonny Gray, who is coming off a spectacular outing in his first start where he allowed just one hit in eight innings.

With Cano still not showing the power stroke he had with the New York Yankees, a lack of upside makes this pricey hitter a poor bet.

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Picking the right pitcher can either save your daily fantasy team or put it over the top in search of big money.

While there is a lot of uncertainty at this early part of the season, these players should exceed their value with big games Friday.

Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals ($9,100)

It’s always difficult to trust a pitcher like Gio Gonzalez, who has put together some outstanding seasons in his career but is always capable of exploding on the mound. Last year, he had four starts where he allowed five earned runs or more.

On the plus side, he can make up for it with a high strikeout rate. If he had pitched enough innings to qualify, Gonzalez would have ranked 12th in the majors last year with 9.19 strikeouts per nine innings.

Against an inferior Philadelphia Phillies lineup, the Nationals star should put together a solid outing with plenty of strikeouts. If things go well, he should also come through with a win.

Jonathon Niese, New York Mets ($7,500)

The Atlanta Braves are off to a better start than many anticipated thanks to a series sweep against the Miami Marlins. However, they are going to come back down to earth eventually, and that could happen Friday against Jonathon Niese. 

Niese finished last season with a 3.40 ERA, which matched his career best. Most importantly, the southpaw should have plenty of success against a lineup which relies heavily on left-handed hitters.

Between Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, Jace Peterson and others, the Braves will have to either adjust the lineup or end up with tough matchups as Niese gets the advantage.

Taijuan Walker, Seattle Mariners ($7,300)

Spring training doesn’t necessarily mean much, and the statistics that come out of it count for literally nothing. However, it’s hard to ignore what Taijuan Walker did during the exhibition season, as noted by Baseball Tonight: 

The 22-year-old pitcher is extremely talented and possesses the pure stuff that will allow him to shut down opposing lineups at this level. Although he has just eight starts in his career, the upside is too great to ignore.

In reality, there might not be too many chances to get Walker into your lineup for so cheap.

Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants ($7,600)

Although Tim Lincecum is not quite the pitcher he was earlier in his career, the 30-year-old starter is still a quality pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He can also be extremely valuable when he faces the San Diego Padres.

Throughout his career, the former Cy Young winner has dominated the division rival, posting an 18-6 record with a 2.27 ERA. Last season, he finished with a 5-0 mark and a 1.40 ERA in six appearances against the Padres.

Petco Park is one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums in the majors, and Lincecum should take advantage of it once again on Friday.

Jeff Locke, Pittsburgh Pirates ($5,700)

The Milwaukee Brewers have a solid lineup on paper, but it has struggled to start the season, producing just six runs in three games. This is a major reason why the club is 0-3 after the first series.

Although Jeff Locke isn’t going to blow people away with his pitches, he knows how to take advantage of matchups and keep opponents off base. Fantasy players should expect six or seven solid innings and a good chance of bringing home a win, which will be just fine for this price.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of Baseball Reference. 

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The start of baseball season not only indicates the beginning of warm weather across the country, it also means there is another sport to compete in daily fantasy.

With competitions just about every day of the regular season, Major League Baseball represents a fun way to compete and potentially make money on a consistent basis.

Of course, it takes a lot of work to be successful in this sport. Even the top hitters and pitchers can have bad games, so you have to figure out how to find players with the best chances to succeed while staying within your budget.

Each day will feature new possibilities, but here is a look at some of the most important factors to look for when filling out your team.

Note: Daily fantasy scoring based on DraftKings rules. All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

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Patience is a virtue for teams looking to bring in talented players without paying through the roof.

The beginning of the MLB free-agent period usually features a rash of quick signings for a lot of money. While this often makes the market more competitive as teams get desperate, treating free agency like Christmas Eve shopping is not the smartest decision.

This strategy seems to be paying off for those looking for an elite pitcher or a veteran shortstop. These players still are likely to get a big contract, but the past few weeks have seen the market cool for each.

Here is a look at the latest buzz and predictions for some of the bigger names still available.

James Shields, SP

After anchoring the Kansas City Royals rotation last season, James Shields is ready to cash in somewhere. The question is which team is willing to pay up to bring in the veteran pitcher.

ESPN Insider’s Jim Bowden noted (subscription required) the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers were the most likely to sign the 33-year-old player.

However, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Giants are “not likely to get another big-ticket addition” after re-signing Sergio Romo. At the same time, the Rangers have publicly stated they are out of the race.

“He would be a great addition, but it would probably take us making a trade or two to free up some money to truly play on those types of players,” Texas assistant general manager Thad Levine told MLB Network Radio, via The Score.

While we can’t always trust front-office personnel, what we do know is that a deal for Shields will not come cheap, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe:

The final Shields numbers are expected to be close to the five years and $110 million remaining (if the option is picked up) on the Cole Hamels deal, according to one major league source who was privy to Shields’s demands. The Giants and Red Sox are in the picture, and the Yankees may be another suitor.

Although Boston has already made a bunch of moves this offseason, the Red Sox still make the most sense as a team that has a need for a front-line starter while having the money to afford one.

Considering Shields has topped 200 innings pitched in each of the last eight years, including over 220 in the last four, the risk is relatively low. Boston would be smart to make a deal to help compete in the AL East.

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

Max Scherzer, SP

Few pitchers in baseball can compete with the numbers Max Scherzer has put up over the past two seasons. The 2013 Cy Young winner has accumulated a 39-8 record in this stretch, consistently pitching deep into games to give his team a great chance to win.

While you could make an argument on behalf of Jon Lester, Scherzer appeared to be the best player on the free-agent list this winter.

Despite this fact, the former Detroit Tigers pitcher is still unsigned and doesn’t seem to be close to a deal any time soon. Ken Davidoff of the New York Post explained how teams are going out of their way to say they are not involved in the race:

Many clubs, among them the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Dodgers, have been vocal about their disinclination to enter the Scherzer sweepstakes. The Angels are sending signals they’re good to go with their current starting rotation. The Tigers and Nationals, two favorite destinations for Boras clients in the past, also say they aren’t going there.

The Yankees could end up having to pay even more money than the others thanks to the luxury tax, according to Jack Curry of YES Network:

That being said, has money ever stopped the Yankees in the past? New York wants to field the best team possible, and while the front office has done a good job of getting younger this offseason, high-level talent is still needed.

Scherzer is a legitimate difference-maker for a team that needs help filling the rotation with consistent, healthy producers. The Yankees might wait for the cost to drop, but they are still the most likely to fork over the cash to complete a deal.

Prediction: New York Yankees

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

With the ability to play shortstop or second base, Asdrubal Cabrera has a lot of value on the open market as an offensive-minded middle infielder. 

Despite seeing his production drop significantly since being an All-Star in 2011 and 2012, his 14 home runs still ranked sixth in the majors among shortstops while his 61 RBI ranked eighth. Yes, he played almost exclusively second base after being traded to the Washington Nationals, but only four players at that position had more long balls than Cabrera. 

While there are a bunch of teams interested in the 29-year-old player, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com provides a look at a new entry in the sweepstakes:

This fit actually makes sense after the Philadelphia Phillies dealt long-time shortstop Jimmy Rollins away in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jesse Spector of Sporting News jokes about the fact Cabrera wouldn’t make too much of a difference:

Despite this mindset, the veteran shortstop would certainly provide a boost to an offense that ranked 23rd in the majors in runs scored last season. It’s definitely better than just giving up on a year like their neighbors, the Philadelphia 76ers.

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

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While there are a number of deserving candidates in each league this year, a pair of players have separated themselves as true favorites for the MLB Rookie of the Year Awards.

Throughout baseball, there are tons of young stars capable of becoming MVP or Cy Young candidates in the future. However, the beauty of this award is that you only get one chance at it by being the best player in your class.

The eventual winners might not end up being the most productive players in their careers, but outstanding debuts will be enough to take home some hardware.

Here is a look at what to expect in each league for the Rookie of the Year Award. 

National League

The battle for Rookie of the Year in the National League really comes down to two players: Billy Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds and Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets.

There are certainly a number of young players who had good seasons. Hitters Ender Inciarte, David Peralta, Kolten Wong and Travis d’Arnaud put up solid numbers for stretches, although each of them struggled with consistency. Starting pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Jesse Hahn performed well, but neither topped 13 starts.

Even Mets reliever Jeurys Familia deserves to be in the conversation after posting a 2.26 ERA out of the bullpen.

However, Hamilton and deGrom were clearly a step above the rest. The question is simply which of the two deserves the award more.

Hamilton is known specifically for his speed, something that got him to the majors after making his mark on the basepaths in the minor leagues. He stole 155 bases across two levels in 2012 and then swiped 75 more in Triple-A in 2013.

This was completely on display with the Reds. Hamilton finished tied for second in the major leagues with 56 stolen bases, trailing only Dee Gordon’s 64. He also used his speed to excel in the outfield and is one of three finalists (along with Denard Span and Juan Lagares) for the Gold Glove in center field. 

However, the problem with Hamilton’s season was a lack of efficiency. He had just a .292 on-base percentage and struggled mightily down the stretch with a .200 batting average after the All-Star Game. He also led the majors with 23 times caught stealing.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports believes this is a reason to lean toward deGrom:

The Mets pitcher might not have had a lot of hype coming into the year, but he was excellent once he got to the majors. He posted a 2.69 ERA in 140.1 innings while also adding 144 strikeouts. He also ended the year as hot as anyone in the majors, as noted by David Lennon of Newsday:

This great September included a start against the Miami Marlins where he tied a major league record by striking out the first eight batters he faced. It should not be surprising that his peers voted him as the National League Outstanding Rookie.

“It’s great to be recognized by your fellow players,” deGrom explained, via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “Knowing your peers think this highly of you is extremely gratifying, but Spring Training will be here before you know it, and I want to focus on next season and helping the team make the postseason.”

He was the best rookie in the National League and should take home the award.

Prediction: Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets

American League

This race is not really for the winner but who can put his name as a close second because Jose Abreu should take home the award with ease.

The Cuban first baseman was not only the best rookie in the American League, but he was arguably one of the best players of any age. He finished no worse than sixth in the entire MLB in batting average (.317), on-base plus slugging (.964), home runs (36) and RBI (107). He was also first in the bigs with a .581 slugging percentage.

There was certainly hype for the 27-year-old player when he was signed by the Chicago White Sox, but few thought he would turn himself into one of the league’s premier hitters in his first season.

It seems like the only way this award is not given unanimously is if some voters decides Abreu should not be a rookie after playing professionally in Cuba (similar to Ichiro Suzuki’s situation in 2001).

Of course, this does not mean the rest of the American League deserves no credit. There were actually a number of impressive seasons by young players, as Jon Morosi of Fox Sports argued:

Matt Shoemaker was one of the best pitchers in the league, posting a 16-4 record with a 3.20 ERA for a team that finished the year with the top record in baseball. He ranked second on the team in most major stats among starters and was a reason the squad was able to pull away in the AL West.

Collin McHugh and Yordano Ventura also showed what they can do as starters throughout the year, with Ventura also making a mark in the playoffs and World Series. Teammate Eric Hosmer was impressed by the 23-year-old player’s composure:

However, the No. 2 player on this list should come from a spot that often is overlooked: middle relief. Dellin Betances might not have been a closer for the New York Yankees, but he pitched 90 innings out of the bullpen, and his 1.40 ERA was the second-best in the majors with a minimum of 60 innings.

He might not have had the saves to back it up, but he was certainly in the conversation for the best in the league out of the bullpen, as noted by Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News:

Danny Santana, Nick Castellanos and George Springer each had strong seasons and could have been legitimate contenders in other years. Still, this award should be a runaway as Abreu takes home what will likely be the first of many prizes for the talented hitter.

Prediction: Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox

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While the Kansas City Royals remain ahead of the Baltimore Orioles, the American League Championship Series is still not over.

Kansas City was hoping to take a commanding lead of the series with a home game Monday, but the action was postponed due to rain, as noted by Sports Illustrated:

The series will now be pushed back, with Game 3 taking place on Tuesday and, if necessary, Game 5 taking the spot of Thursday’s scheduled off day. 

Although the Royals keep the 2-0 lead, they will hope that the extra day off does not slow the momentum that has helped win each of the first six games of the postseason. Meanwhile, the Orioles will get to refocus their efforts on coming back in this series.

Here is a look at what to expect from Game 3 between these two high-energy teams.

Where: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri

Date: Tuesday, October 14

Time: 8:07 p.m. ET

Channel: TBS

Live Stream: Postseason.TV ($4.99 fee)

After losing the first two games of the series at home, the Orioles remain positive with their ability to come back. First baseman Steve Pearce explained, via Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com:

Obviously we’re bummed that we didn’t take any in this home series. I think we’re back to being the underdog and we’re good at fighting back and they’ve got to win four. 

We’ve been backed into corners all year. This isn’t new for us. We’ll have that scratch-and-claw feeling we’ve had all year and find a way to get it done.

It is important that these statements are actually believed by the entire team and not just for show because that will decide the rest of the series.

At this point of the year, the mental part of the game means a lot more than the physical side. The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels had the most complete rosters in the majors but lost in the first round of the playoffs because they were unprepared for the pressure of the postseason.

Based on talent, Baltimore can make things very difficult for Kansas City. With a lineup that produced the most home runs in the majors, the team can score in bunches. Of course, Alex Gordon once again reminded everyone that it does not matter what happens in the regular season:

The Royals continually find a way to make things happen when they need it most.

Matt Winer of Turner Sports tried his best effort of explaining this team:

Every time it seems like Kansas City is about to falter, someone steps up either at the plate or on the mound. Each player is doing his part to help the team win the pennant.

If the squad can keep this up, there is not much Baltimore can do. It will be especially difficult with a pitching staff that has struggled to go deep into games in the series. Wei-Yin Chen will hope to change this, but his struggles in the American League Division Series (five earned runs in 3.2 innings) do not bode well for a turnaround.

The Orioles can make things interesting with a win on Tuesday, but this game seems likely to go to the home team in Kansas City.

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The Kansas City Royals might have to continue their postseason push without Yordano Ventura after the pitcher suffered a shoulder injury in his Game 2 start in the American League Championship Series.

The Royals made an official diagnosis:

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports first reported the injury.

Eye on Baseball and Jesse Spector of Sporting News had an update after the game:

Another warning sign was his diminished velocity, as Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs pointed out:

Ventura shut down the Los Angeles Angels in his only other start of the postseason, allowing just one run in seven innings to help the Royals win Game 2 of the American League Division Series. This is just a continuation of what he showcased all year long, tallying a 14-10 record with a 3.20 ERA in his first full season in the majors.

While James Shields is considered the team’s ace thanks to his past success and experience, Ventura had the best ERA of all of Kansas City’s qualified starters (Danny Duffy had a better mark but did not pitch enough innings). 

The Royals will hope this injury does not turn out to be serious in case he is needed later in the series or in the Fall Classic. Otherwise, the team will need more production out of Duffy, Jason Vargas and possibly Jeremy Guthrie.

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The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are used to competing in the National League Championship Series, but the team that advances from here is the one that gets the biggest contributions from key players.

Whichever squad advances to the World Series, it will be the fifth year in a row the NL representative will be one of these two teams. This has led to plenty of postseason experience and a lot of confidence from each side of the field.

Still, important players on both teams have struggled in the early going of the playoffs. These stars will need to turn things around in a hurry if they want to keep playing in October.

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals

After he had a disappointing opening start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, there were serious concerns about Adam Wainwright’s elbow. The All-Star only pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 11 hits and six runs, equal to the amount of runs he allowed in the entire month of September.

Despite the struggles, manager Mike Matheny feels his top pitcher can adjust to his problems. He explained in a recent press conference:

Waino was struggling to find a good feel that Game 1 and that’s why it looked very a-typical of Adam Wainwright. But that’s happened at different times throughout our season and he’s been able to bounce back and figure it out and make it work–not just make it work, be an elite pitcher. He’s fine.

The Cardinals will need him to be an elite pitcher because despite a deep rotation, he is by far the best on the roster. Wainwright finished the year with 20 wins and a 2.38 ERA, with only Johnny Cueto and Clayton Kershaw posting better numbers in the National League.

When he is at his best, Wainwright is a true stopper who can get St. Louis a much-needed win in any situation. However, a bad start could change the entire outlook of the rest of the series. The Cardinals do not want this to happen.

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals

Thanks to injuries and various departures, Jhonny Peralta was thrust into an important role in his first year with the Cardinals. He responded with 21 home runs and 75 RBI while playing solid defense throughout the season.

After being elevated to the No. 4 spot in the batting order, though, Peralta has started to struggle. In four games against the Dodgers, the shortstop managed just a .214 batting average with one extra-base hit and zero RBI.

While Peralta did have a few key hits in the series, it was not quite what the team has come to expect from him over the course of the year. With Yadier Molina struggling behind him in the order as well, there is more pressure on the shortstop to come through.

The good news is the talent is there and the matchups could lead to plenty of success. Madison Bumgarner is a tough lefty, but Peralta did well against lefties this season, totaling an OPS 128 points higher than against righties. If he gets his team off to a good start, he could have a very good series.

Hunter Pence, Giants

In the field, Hunter Pence showed the ability to come through in the clutch with a great against-the-wall catch in Game 4 against the Washington Nationals, as described by Jayson Stark of ESPN:

However, he did not display his clutch ability at the plate despite getting at least one hit in every game. The outfielder went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and was a poster boy for the entire team’s struggles in this area. The Giants have had the most opportunities with runners in scoring position in the postseason but hit just .176 in that situation.

The only teams in the last round that performed worse, the Nationals and Los Angeles Angels, are watching the rest of the playoffs from home.

This is a bit of a concern for San Francisco since timely hitting was a key to its success throughout the year. The team led the majors with a .259 batting average with two outs and runners in scoring position—led by Pence who had an incredible .404 mark in this situation.

The Giants were lucky Washington could not come through in big moments, but the Cardinals will not give away opportunities. They have to make sure to bring home runners when they can in order to succeed in this series.

Hunter Strickland, Giants

Hunter Strickland earned a spot on the postseason roster thanks to an incredible performance throughout September, pitching seven scoreless innings without a single walk. He continued his lights-out pitching with his playoff debut in Game 1, as Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan stated:

Unfortunately, this was followed up with solo home runs allowed to Bryce Harper and Asdrubal Cabrera. When Strickland faced Harper again in Game 4, the result was the same with a long shot into McCovey Cove.

As a result, Strickland goes into the NLCS with a 9.00 ERA. Jean Machi (4.50) is the only other player on the Giants staff with a postseason ERA above 2.00.

While you can blame a small sample size for these numbers, the important thing for Strickland is to not lose confidence after giving up a few long shots in the last round. He has to remain aggressive against the talented Cardinals hitters and remain a key player in the San Francisco bullpen. Otherwise, his mistakes could start leading to losses.

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There might not be a better opening-round series in the MLB playoffs than the St. Louis Cardinals against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

These two organizations are loaded with experience and know what it takes to win at this level. The Cardinals have reached the postseason 11 times in the past 15 years, winning four pennants and two World Series titles. Meanwhile, the Dodgers went to the NLCS last season and have quite a few veterans who have been in this spot before.

This is certain to create a well-played series with both sides finding ways to come through in big moments.

In order to keep up with every game of this highly anticipated series, here is a look at the schedule and a breakdown of what to expect over the next week.

Pitching Breakdown

There is no question the Dodgers have the best pitcher (and arguably best player) in the series in Clayton Kershaw. The lefty led the majors in both wins and ERA and hardly ever gave opponents a chance to win.

Seth Davis of CBS Sports gave his opinion on the player’s season:

Meanwhile, Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports noted how well Kershaw has pitched in a historical context:

It is easy to simply pencil in the Dodgers for wins in the likely two games he starts this series. However, it is important to remember the Cardinals beat Kershaw twice in the NLCS a year ago, both on great starts by Michael Wacha.

Although Wacha has not been himself since returning from a shoulder injury, the Cardinals still have plenty of talent around Adam Wainwright, who will start Game 1. Lance Lynn has had a great season and John Lackey usually pitches well in the playoffs, accumulating a 3.03 ERA in 19 appearances.

Zack Greinke and Kershaw likely give the Dodgers a slight advantage on the mound going into each game, but this battle is much closer than one would think.

Offense

In past seasons, the St. Louis lineup was a nightmare for opposing pitchers because it simply didn’t end. There were quality hitters from top to bottom and everyone was capable of getting a big hit when it was needed.

However, that same depth is not there this year due to injuries and poor performances throughout. ESPN.com’s Tim Kurkjian describes the problems for the Cardinals offense:

It simply is not the same group from 2013. That team led the NL in scoring, this team scored 164 fewer runs, and finished 10th in runs scored. The Cardinals were last in the NL with 105 homers. Matt Holliday is the only Cardinal who finished with more than 75 RBIs. And they’ll be left-handed heavy — Matt Carpenter, Matt Adams, Jon Jay, Kolten Wong — going against Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu.

With Carlos Beltran and Allen Craig no longer with the team and Yadier Molina struggling since returning from an injury, the group remaining does not scare anyone. After finishing 23rd in the majors in runs scored, these problems are likely to continue in the playoffs.

On the other hand, the Dodgers have a great balance of speed (Dee Gordon, Carl Crawford), power (Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp) and pure hitting ability (Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig). These elements combine to create a lineup that could score in a number of different ways.

This could end up making the difference in what could become a short series.

Prediction: Dodgers Win in 4 Games

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly recently discussed the struggles his team has had against the Cardinals:

They’re a good club. They’ve been kind of a thorn in our side the last couple years. They beat us last year and knocked us out. I think the year before they beat us late in the year here in LA to kind of keep us out of the wild card.

So they’ve been a tough club for us. … It’s kind of turned into a pretty good rivalry.

The entire roster will do its best to make sure this one-sided rivalry does not continue in 2014.

Kershaw looks even better than last season and is ready to lead the team to victory. Meanwhile, the Cardinals appear worse in almost every facet of the game.

Los Angeles should be able to finally overcome St. Louis and advance to the National League Championship Series.

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