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Bumgarner, Syndergaard Square off in NL Wild Card

By Keaton Moore

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Postseason base during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Postseason base during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s here. The excitement of postseason baseball is finally here with the Giants and Mets kicking things off in the National League with the Wild Card.

After the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles face off on Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants head to the Big Apple to take on the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card game. The Giants, who know the pressure of the one-game playoff, will throw Madison Bumgarner against Noah Syndergaard.

Even Year Magic

It was a record breaking season for Bumgarner, who set career records for strikeouts and ERA. His 2.74 ERA was the lowest of his career and the fourth among his fellow Major League pitchers. Not only did Bumgarner strikeout a career-high 251 batters, he also finished third in 2016 for strikeouts.

Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the fifth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the fifth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

And now, receiving his second Wild Card start in three years, the 27-year old has another chance to add to his impressive postseason resume. In 2014, the Giants suffered a similar second half collapse, but managed to clinch the second Wild Card spot. In response, Bumgarner pitched a complete game shutout and held the Pittsburgh Pirates to only four hits. His pitching gem and Brandon Crawford’s grand slam advanced the Giants to the NLDS and eventually to World Series champions. In addition, Bumgarner’s ability to pitch deep into games works in favor for the Giants and their weak bullpen.

Bumgarner’s mastery of the Mets in 2016 pairs well with his impressive season and historic 2014 postseason campaign. Through two starts, Bumgarner is 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA against New York, including beating Syndergaard on May 1. On top of that, he is 4-0 with a 0.62 ERA at Citi Field in his career.

The resurrected Giants’ offense also gives the club confidence facing the Mets. In the last ten games of the season, San Francisco outscored their opponents 52-28 and went 7-3, including a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Furthermore, their fielding might even shine brighter than their bats, ending the season as the least errant team in baseball.

A Second Try

Meanwhile, the Mets came to terms with a Wild Card game early on in the season. With the Washington Nationals streaking towards the NL East pennant, the Mets only spent eight days in first place.

Aug 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Mets pitcher pitcher Noah Syndergaard against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Mets pitcher pitcher Noah Syndergaard against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

During his rookie season, Syndergaard was awarded the only win for the Mets in their loss to the Kansas City Royals in the 2015 World Series. As the starting rotation crumbled around him, he was one of the only starters with a strong season. After Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz all finished the season on the disabled list, Syndergaard went 14-9. Consequently, his 2.60 ERA narrowly edged out Bumgarner’s for third in the Major Leagues and he reached 200-plus strikeouts in his sophomore season.

Syndergaard is 6-6 with a 2.87 ERA at home and performed well against the Giants in 2016. A pair of starts earned Syndergaard a 1-1 record with a 2.63 ERA, including an eight inning shutout on August 21. He added a win and a loss to the Mets’ overall 4-3 record against the Giants this season, outscoring their competition 39-35.

Overall, the Mets experienced a weak offensive season. Their .246 batting average was the 25th lowest team batting average in the Major Leagues. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera led the Mets with his .280 batting average during his first season in New York. The Mets relied on the long ball to reach the Wild Card, hitting the fifth most home runs with 218. Providing those home runs were Curtis Granderson and Yoenis Cespedes, who both finished the season with 30-plus home runs. This bodes well for the Mets because Bumgarner gave up a career-high 26 home runs in 2016.

Next: MLB Playoffs: Clayton Kershaw set to slay playoff demons in 2015

With strong number against each other in the regular season, the battle between the Norse god and the country-boy is a thrilling start to the postseason. The NL Wild Card game starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

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