Lester pitched well enough, but the bats were cold. Then Strop happened.
CHC: RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95)
STL: LHP Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43)
First pitch: 4:37pmCT
Hendricks went six scoreless for the win in Milwaukee on Saturday. He’s 6-4 with a 4.47 on the road this year, which includes his only start against the Cardinals--from May (5 IP, 4 ER). Overall, the Cards are 24-65 against him. Carpenter is 6-10 with a HR, Holliday is 6-12 with 2 HR, and Peralta is 4-11. Hendricks has not pitched in the postseason.
If Hendricks gets in trouble early, we should see Hammel, who would need to stay sharp, especially if he’s needed to replace Hendricks as the starter for a Game Five.