This semifinal matchup between the #5 Los Angeles Dodgers and the #1 St. Louis Cardinals is a rematch of the 1985 NLCS in which the Cardinals won in 6. This is a titanic matchup and one that features real good pitching, lots of speed and some decent hitting.
The Dodgers would send lefty sensation Fernando Valenzuela (17-10 2.45 Grade 19XG) to the mound against Joaquin Andujar (21-12 3.45 Grade 14Z) for the Cardinals.
This had the makings of a pitchers duel and it didn’t disappoint as Valenzuela was perfect through 4 innings and the score would remain 0-0 until the bottom of the 6th. In the 6th the Cardinals would get a base hit to center from MVP Willie McGee. McGee would steal second on a great slide and then Tommy Herr would single him in. Classic ABC style baseball by the Cardinals. In the top half of the 7th the Dodgers would get their offense going as they would plate 2 runs. Mike Marshall would double to center. Pedro Guerrero would single sharply to left to give the Dodgers 1st and 3rd and Greg Brock would double them both home. The Dodgers would get a huge insurance run in the 8th as Marshall would again double this time scoring Mariano Duncan. Valenzuela would go the distance scattering 5 hits and allowing just the one run and the Dodgers take home field advantage from the Cardinals.
Final Score: Dodgers 3, Cardinals 1
WP: Fernando Valenzuela (3-0)
LP: Joaquin Andujar (2-1)
HR’s: None