Cardinals’ pitcher Shelby Miller has a lot on his shoulders in NLCS Game 4
SAN FRANCISCO — Shelby Miller pitched exactly one inning during the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2013 postseason run to the World Series. He was portrayed by snarkier baseball fans as being a prisoner in the Cardinals bullpen, after a successful rookie season in which he won 15 games with a 3.06 ERA.
A year later and Miller, 24, is unshackled during the 2014 postseason run. In fact, he’s getting called on again in a crucial game.
Miller was effective in Game 4 of the NLDS for the Cardinals against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which St. Louis eventually clinched its berth in the NLCS. Now, in a 2-1 hole against the Giants, after a deflating 10th-inning loss, the Cardinals will turn to Miller again in Game 4.
Some will be tempted to call Miller’s start Wednesday a “must-win.” It’s not, at least in the most literal way.
The Cardinals can lose and still continue on. But if they do — if Giants’ starter Ryan Vogelsong twirls another October gem at AT&T Park — things are going to look bleak for the Cards. They’ll face Giants ace Madison Bumgarner in Game 5, who’s been the best pitcher of the postseason. Adam Wainwright would oppose, but he’s not benn himself lately.
So there’s a lot riding on Miller’s shoulders in Game 4, which comparatively, is better than being a bullpen prisoner.
Miller’s happy he already had one start to acclimate to the postseason pressure. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs. It wasn’t lights-out, but he matched Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the early going. That was in St. Louis, though, so Miller recognizes Game 4 of the NLCS, in front of Giants fans, is going to be a different beast.
“Even with that one start under your belt, you’re starting in a hectic environment in San Francisco, got great fans that are loud and know baseball and love their team,” Miller said Tuesday. “But at the same time, yeah, the first one definitely helps, but you’re coming into a place with a tough team at home. Just got to go out there and pitch.”
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, not one to get overly rah-rah, praised Miller’s NLDS start and his late-season performance. Miller had a 1.48 ERA over 30.1 innings in September, including two starts in which he pitched seven scoreless innings.
“Shelby has done a nice job all the way down the stretch,” Matheny said. “His last start was one of his best, so we are excited to watch him pitch.”
Kolten Wong has already found his 2013 redemption for the Cardinals this October. Now, it may be Miller’s turn.
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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
