(KMOX) - Two of the most storied and successful franchises in the National League will face off in the do-or-die Wild Card game Wednesday night. Before that 7:10 p.m. CT first pitch between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers, here's what you need to know:
Hometown kid vs hometown favorite
The starting pitching matchup up of Max Scherzer vs Adam Wainwright cannot be overhyped. It's the likely Cy Young winner and St. Louis native for the Dodgers vs a guy that Cardinals fans would probably elect mayor of St. Louis (maybe a tie with Yadier Molina). Wainwright (17-7, 3.05 ERA, 174 Ks) turned heads this year in his age 40 season. Scherzer, 37, (7-0, 1.98 ERA, 89 Ks with Dodgers; 8-4, 2.76, 147 Ks with Washington) is looking for his 4th Cy Young Award.
Also something to think about will be the possibility of Scherzer finally coming home to St. Louis this offseason. He'll be a free agent and after St. Louis passed on him last time around before the 2015 season, they may be more inclined to make a strong push this offseason.
Ultimate underdog vs top dog matchup, according to Vegas
The oddsmakers have made the Dodgers the betting favorites to win the World Series after a 106-win season at +375. Behind them are the Houston Astros (+475), Tampa Bay Rays (+650) and San Francisco Giants (+675). Then all the way down at the bottom is St. Louis at (+2,000).
In August, the Cardinals were 500-1 odds to win the World Series.
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Albert Pujols could end Cardinals season, or St. Louis could end his career
With Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy being "very unlikely" to play in the Wild Card game, Pujols could be getting the start. He won two championships in St. Louis, returns to town every year for charity events and has been given many standing ovations in his multiple returns to Busch Stadium the last few seasons. But after Wednesday it could be all over.
Pujols will become a free agent and rumors of retirement have been flying around since the beginning of the season. If the Dodgers lose to the Cardinals, it may be the last time Pujols plays in an MLB game.
Could be last of 1-game Wild Card
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, MLB is planning to move to a best-of-three format for these Wild Card matchups in the NL and AL next season. Which will make 100-plus win teams like the Dodgers happy to not have to play in a pressure-packed, do-or-die game. But the Cardinals are licking their chops to shock everyone and see how far they can ride the momentum of a 17-game September winning streak.
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