National League Playoff Preview

With tonight being the National League Wild Card playoff game, let's preview the playoffs in the National League. Starting with the matchup in the Wild Card game, I like the Pirates over the Cubs because there is more experience from the Pirates. More experienced lineup with McCutcheon, Alvarez, Walker and Aramis Ramirez in it than what the Cubs have. The starting pitching matchup for this game goes to Jake Arrieta over Gerrit Cole, however because has been one of best pitchers this year leading the National League in wins with 21. Both Cole and Arrieta could both go deep into the game tonight, and I think what it will come down to is the bullpens for both teams. The reason I think the Cubs are a year or two off of winning it all is because they need more experience at the back end. Rondon hasn't done it that, Rodney has but they need some experience there outside of those two. Pittsburgh has Melancon and some more experienced arms at the back end, and that is what it will come down to.
As for the Divisional round matchup between the Mets and the Dodgers. The Mets to seem to be the odd team out in the National League playoffs this year. The other teams in the National League playoffs have better teams on paper than the Mets. If you are the Mets going to this series, you have be scared because of Kershaw and Greinke are two of the best pitchers in baseball. If the Mets can't steal one away from one of them it's over for them. Starting pitching is what will determine the series, not so much offensively. The Dodgers have the better offense in this series with Eithier, Puig, Crawford, Jimmy Rollins and Joc Pedersen, who had an amazing rookie year. I'll take that over David Wright, Cespedes, and Granderson. If the Dodgers can click offensively and get what is expected out of their rotation. They'll win this series easily.
As for the St. Louis Cardinals, and even though I don't like admitting this. They are the frontrunners to win the National League. Every time you think that team isn't going to get it done, they just get it done. Even if they lose one of their big name starting pitchers like they have with Wainright, Carpenter, and Wacha in the past, they just know how to get it done. They always have the pitching and the hitting. This year is no exception with Wacha, Lackey, Garcia and a healthy Adam Wainright for the playoffs in their rotation along with Rosenthal to close games. Offensively it is all about Matt Holliday and Jason Heyward leading the charge.
As for predictions, I think it will end up coming down to the pitching as the Cardinals and Dodgers are my two picks to end up in the Championship series in the National League and that would be an entertaining series with what both teams have on their roster.