NLDS Instant Reaction: Giants Edge Nationals 3-2 Behind Peavy's Strong Start

The pitching of Madison Bumgarner lifted the San Francisco Giants into the NL Division Series. The pitching of veteran Jake Peavy might play a crucial role in helping the Giants get even further than that.

Peavy was electric on Friday, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning as San Francisco held on to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals in D.C.

Turning Point: With the Giants up 2-0 in the top of the 7th, Joe Panik would club a triple to deep center (the young kid's second hit of the day). Buster Posey would once again show his MVP mettle to bring him in, legging out an infield single that would give San Francisco a 3-0 advantage - a deficit the Nationals' spotty offense couldn't come back from on this afternoon in D.C.

Giants MVP: It's hard to believe that the Giants' trade for Peavy in late July was seen as a bust waiting to happen by many prognosticators at the time. Peavy had a dismal first few months in Boston, however, and looked far from the dominant ace that he was in San Diego all those years. However, Friday was just another indication of how great Peavy has been stepping in for the injured Matt Cain - 5.2 innings pitched, two hits, three walks, three strikeouts, and just enough oomph to make Nationals batters look silly for the majority of the day.

Nationals MVP: Stephen Strasburg was by no means brilliant on Friday, "scattering" eight hits over five innings. However, he gave up just one earned run (two altogether), and did everything he could on an off day stuff-wise to keep the Nationals around. The offense couldn't pick him up till he was out of the game, but Strasburg once again reminded the world why he belongs on the mound for Washington in the biggest of games.

What's Next? The Washington Nationals send Jordan Zimmerman (14-5, 2.66) to the bump on Saturday in hopes of securing a split before the series shifts to the Bay. He will be opposed by consummate veteran Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57) in Game 2, with first pitch scheduled for 5:37pm EST in D.C.