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NLCS Predictions: Who Has the Edge in Nationals-Cardinals?

SI's MLB experts weigh in on the National League Championship Series. It'll be either the Cardinals or Nationals representing the NL in this year's Fall Classic.
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After a pair of memorable Game 5s, the Cardinals and Nationals will duel for a spot in the Fall Classic. Neither team was necessarily favored to be in this position six months ago, six weeks ago or even six days ago–but that's why the games are played.

Our MLB staff weighs in with predictions on how the NLCS will play out.

Tom Verducci: Nationals over Cardinals (seven games)

The quality of at-bats by Washington in the past month has been beastly. The Nationals are the best two-strike hitting team in the league. Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin have thrown 37 of Washington's 54 innings this postseason: three pitchers for 69% of the outs. The Nats' bullpen will need help from more pitchers in a seven-game series, which could be problematic.

Stephanie Apstein: Nationals over Cardinals (seven games)

Washington needs to win every game Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer start. I think that will happen.

MVP: Max Scherzer

Emma Baccellieri: Nationals over Cardinals (seven games)

Washington has the better postseason rotation, while St. Louis has the better bullpen—but, given the wild series each of these two just finished against statistically superior teams, it feels foolish to count either one out. The Nationals have now won one postseason series, so why not make it two?

MVP: Max Scherzer

Connor Grossman: Cardinals over Nationals (six games)

This series feels like a coin flip. Just look at everyone else on this page predicting a six- or seven-game series. The Nationals have more star power, but the Cardinals have their voodoo devil magic that they deploy seemingly every October they're in the field. Washington has enjoyed quite a magic carpet ride so far, but St. Louis advances to the Fall Classic for the third time this decade.

MVP: Tommy Edman

Matt Martell: Cardinals over Nationals (seven games)

Anyone else think this using starters as relievers tactic is getting out of hand? It did for the Dodgers Wednesday night, and it nearly did for the Nationals when they turned to Patrick Corbin in Game 3. The Cardinals used Miles Mikolas in Game 4 to pitch the 10th inning, but only after they used all their high-leverage arms. I don't fault the Nats for doing it (unlike the Dodgers) because they can't trust their bullpen, but over a seven-game series their rotation trio is going to be running on fumes. This one's going seven games, with Jack Flaherty vs. Stephen Strasburg, and the Cardinals coming out on top.

MVP: Paul Goldschmidt

Michael Shapiro: Nationals over Cardinals (seven games)

The Nationals won't let their rotation advantage go to waste, deploying Max Scherzer for at least two starts if we have a series that extends to Game 5 or later. Expect Dave Martinez to continue deploying his starters out of the bullpen, limiting the damage of Washington's abysmal bullpen. Add a few Juan Soto dingers, and the Nationals' will land in the World Series in their first year without Bryce Harper.

MVP: Max Scherzer