Sports Illustrated asked major league scouts who closely followed the National League Division Series to analyze the teams in the National League Championship Series. The scouts were promised anonymity in exchange for their candor. Here’s what they revealed. For American League scouting reports click here.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
LINEUP
BATS
2B
Fernando Viña
L
.270, 54 RBIs, 17 SBs
Does whatever it takes to get on base and is a huge distraction once he's there; solid defensively.
RF
J.D. Drew
L
.252, 18 HRs, 56 RBIs
Dangerous hitter with power; runs well. Best way to pitch him is by getting in on his hands.
CF
Jim Edmonds
L
.311, 28 HRs, 83 RBIs
Great low-ball hitter with lots of power. You can get him out by getting him to chase up the ladder.
LF
Albert Pujols
R
.314, 34 HRs, 127 RBIs
Mature for 22; doesn't chase pitches or give away at bats, especially with runners on.
1B
Tino Martinez
L
.262, 21 HRs, 75 RBIs
Bat has slowed a bit, but he's still a good mistake hitter; will have a lot of runners on when he hits.
SS
Edgar Renteria
R
.305, 11 HRs, 83 RBIs
Has made himself into a good hitter with power. Hits well the other way; lethal in clutch situations.
3B
Miguel Cairo
R
.250, 2 HRs, 23 RBIs
No Scott Rolen. Not much power, but a dangerous hitter, especially if you throw him a fastball.
C
Mike Matheny
R
.244, 3 HRs, 35 RBIs
One of the league's best defensive catchers. Not a great hitter, but he puts the ball in play.
Albert Pujols David E. Klutho
ROTATION Matt Morris, RHP (17-9, 3.42 ERA).
Very good No. 1 starter. His fastball (around 94 mph) and curve are above average. Doesn't use his changeup often, but when he throws it well, he's tough.
Chuck Finley, LHP (7-4, 3.80 ERA). Outstanding down the stretch and in the Division Series, commanding his fastball very well in the zone. When he does that, hitters will chase his splitter all day long.
Andy Benes, RHP (5-4, 2.78 ERA). Back from the dead. When I saw him late in the year, I couldn't believe this was the same guy. His fastball is average (88-91 mph), but he's spotting it well, and his slider has more bite.
Woody Williams , RHP (9-4, 2.53 ERA). Excellent No. 4 and a great competitor. Commands all four pitches (fastball, curve, changeup, cutter); curveball is especially nasty.
BENCH C Eli Marrero is versatile; he has shown a little power and some speed this year. OF Kerry Robinson has great speed and is a good defensive replacement, but he's not a very strong hitter. 3B Scott Rolen is hurt, but he's such a gamer, I wouldn't rule out seeing him in the LCS.
BULLPEN RHP Jason Isringhausen is a solid closer. He used to rattle under pressure, but he's pitched enough big games to mature. LHP Steve Kline 's fastball is below average, but he spots it well. LHP Jeff Fassero is a good matchup guy, and he can get some righties out with his split. RHP Rick White gets a lot of ground balls with his hard sinker and good slider.
HOW TO BEAT THEM Keep Viña off base. Martinez and Renteria
are key; shut them down and you can pitch around Edmonds and Pujols.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
LINEUP
BATS
CF
Kenny Lofton
L
.267, 9 RBIs, 7 SBs
Known to chase the high, riding fastball. Decent in the field but an average arm at best.
SS
Rich Aurilia
R
.257, 15 HRs, 61 RBIs
Still a dangerous hitter; takes advantage of mistakes. Surprises you with his range in the field.
2B
Jeff Kent
R
.313, 37 HRs, 108 RBIs
Can hit anyone's fastball; show some guts and get inside on him. Nothing special defensively.
LF
Barry Bonds
L
.370, 46 HRs, 110 RBIs
Better than ever, because he's patient. Can't pitch him same way twice; best way is to crowd him.
C
Benito Santiago
R
.278, 16 HRs, 74 RBIs
Very streaky; first-ball fastball hitter. Can still throw and handles the pitching staff well.
1B
J.T. Snow
L
.246, 6 HRs, 53 RBIs
Can get inside on him, but doesn't miss many mistakes. Nobody better at first defensively.
RF
Reggie Sanders
R
.250, 23 HRs, 85 RBIs
Very good low-ball hitter; has trouble with hard stuff down or up. Can run and bunt.
3B
David Bell
R
.261, 20 HRs, 73 RBIs
Will bunt, move the runner, hit a sac fly, whatever it takes. Solid defensively.
Barry Bonds Brad Mangin
ROTATION Livan Hernandez, RHP (12-16, 4.38 ERA). No middle ground: He's either good or bad. Has to have all four pitches going. Must locate and change speeds. Holds runners well.
Russ Ortiz, RHP (14-10, 3.61 ERA). Has all four pitches but sometimes struggles with his control. You have to get to him early. When he has his fastball working, he can pretty much do what he wants.
Jason Schmidt, RHP (13-8, 3.45 ERA). Power fastball (reaches 97-98 mph), big curve, hard slider. Doesn't take control of the strike zone like he should. Feels his way around and doesn't always stick to his game plan.
Kirk Rueter, LHP (14-8, 3.23 ERA). Very similar to Tom Glavine: relies on changing speeds and deception. Keeps base runners in check; doesn't give in to a hitter. Strong breaking ball.
BENCH IF-OF Shawon Dunston has been an adventure in the outfield at times. 3B Pedro Feliz has a good arm; at the plate he chases too many pitches. OF Tom Goodwin is a tough pinch hitter with pull power. IF Ramon Martinez is a good hit-and-run batter late in the game.
BULLPEN If RHP Robb Nen is not getting his slider over, he can have problems. The big question is, Who's the setup man? RHP Tim Worrell could be the guy; he has a good fastball. RHP Felix Rodriguez is struggling with his slider. LHP Scott Eyre has a good fastball that is deceptive.
HOW TO BEAT THEM Get to their starters early and into their long
relief. Of course, pay attention to Bonds and Kent, and hope guys at the bottom of the order don't get hot, because if they do, watch out.
