The Skillz Report

Here, in Part 3 of our 2014 MLB Postseason retrospective, we'll revisit the National League Division Series (LA/STL).

Grichuk HR In First PS AB, Game 1

Few outside of the Cardinals organization had any clue who this guy was entering the NLDS. A character from The X-Files? A senator from Louisiana? No on both counts—he's a free-swinging Texan outfielder who came to St. Louis in the David Freese trade, and as Clay Kershaw found out, he's got pop. With one down in the first, Grichuk smoked an 0-2 curve down the LF line and into the seats—just like that, the Cardinals led.

Gonzalez/Molina Tiff, Game 1

It was Brandon Phillips a few years ago, triggering an UGLY brawl that ended the career of veteran catcher Jason LaRue. This time, it was Dodger 1B Gonzalez tangling with Cardinals C Molina leading to cleared benches—though this time the circumstances and end results differed greatly. Gonzalez was displeased over the plunking of teammate Yasiel Puig on the heels of a near-plunking of Hanley Ramirez—both by SP Adam Wainwright—and let Molina know. No punches, no ejections, no fun.

Cards' Big Inning, Game 1

He's a leadoff-hitting third baseman with average power. This isn't exactly common in baseball, but if Matt Carpenter's young career stays on course, he might one day be referred to as a pioneer. Kershaw had retired 16 straight Cards before Carpenter homered in the 6th; he followed that up with a three-run double in the 7th to put St. Louis up 7-6! Another Matt, Holliday, put LA on ice two batters later with a first-pitch bomb to left off RP Pedro Baez.

Empty Glove Tag On Greinke, Game 2

In the '70 WS, Cincinnati's Bernie Carbo was tagged out by O's C Elrod Hendricks—with an empty glove! Umps were fooled and replay wasn't in use yet; the call helped Baltimore to game and Series victories. 44 years—and many other instances, some caught, some not—later, Cards 2B Kolten Wong tagged oncoming Dodger runner Grienke with his glove, but the ball was clearly in his bare hand. After review, Greinke was ruled safe at 2nd, and he later scored what ended up an important run.

Kemp's Winning HR, Game 2

He went from a legitimate MVP candidate to a massive contract extension to one of the most torrid opening months in recent memory to multiple injuries to losing his starting job to regaining another starting job—in just four seasons. It's certainly been a ride for the veteran Kemp, but he proved he can still deliver when it counts. Facing All-Star Pat Neshek in the 8th inning of a 2-2 game, Kemp lofted a 2-1 pitch deep and over the LF wall—breaking the tie and putting LA ahead to stay.

Carpenter's Power Surge, Game 3

Who is this guy? And what has he done with the real Matt Carpenter? That guy may be a two-time All-Star and a very, very good hitter—but slugger? Not with 25 lifetime homers in over 1,500 career AB's...or so we thought. Whether it's a case of the 28-year-old rising to the occasion or bad LA pitching, Carp busted out the power swing vs. LA. He homered (and doubled) in each of the first three games of the NLDS, with his jacks coming off Kershaw, J.P. Howell and Hyun-Jin Ryu—all lefties.

Kolten Wong's Blast, Game 3

Whether or not Wong needed to atone for the empty-glove tag is debatable, but if so, the 24-year-old certainly did. Facing Scott Elbert—a longtime Dodger lefty working his way back from elbow surgery—in the 7th inning of a 1-1 game, Wong clobbered Elbert's first pitch into the home bullpen, putting St. Louis ahead to stay. The hit shouldn't have been so shocking—Elbert does not eat up lefty hitters, and Wong hit 12 jacks during the regular season (not to mention a .315 average vs. lefties).

Kemp Unhappy With Zone, Game 3

Both teams took issues with the inconsistent strike zone by home plate ump Dale Scott. Things came to a head with Kemp leading off the 9th and his Dodgers trailing 3-1. Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal's 1-2 fastball ran about six inches outside—ball two. His next pitch was identical—but called strike three. An incredulous Kemp gave Scott an earful and was so irate after the game (a Dodger loss) that he called Scott out to the media—describing the zone as "terrible" knowing he'd be fined.

Ethier's Basepath Goof, Game 4

Nailed to the bench in the first three games, only Puig's struggles tempted Mattingly to start the onetime mainstay. Ethier rewarded Mattingly by running LA out of a potential big inning. LA had gone up 2-0 in the 6th and had men on the corners—including Ethier at third. A Seth Maness pitch trickled away from Molina; Ethier started down the line, then retreated, but before he knew it Carpenter was tagging him for out #3 (as confirmed by replay). LA never scored again and lost by a run.

Adams Bombs Kershaw, Game 4

All the Matts employed by the Cardinals seem to run together; Holliday and Carpenter enjoyed big hits earlier in the series, and in Game 4 it was Adams' turn. The beefy first baseman, squaring off against Kershaw in the 7th with two men on, connected with an 0-1 hook and sent it over the RF fence—prematurely raising his fists in triumph, as the ball did not land that far over the fence. St. Louis went up 3-2, and held on to advance to the NLCS.