NLCS Game 1 lineups: Giants vs. Cardinals

By Drew SilvaOct 14, 2012, 4:36 PM EST
2 Comments

source: Getty Images

Here are the lineups for NLCS Game 1 between the Giants and Cardinals. First pitch is 8:00 p.m. ET.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS            SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
1. Jon Jay, CF                 1. Angel Pagan, CF
2. Carlos Beltran, RF          2. Marco Scutaro, 2B
3. Matt Holliday, LF           3. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
4. Allen Craig, 1B             4. Buster Posey, C
5. Yadier Molina, C            5. Hunter Pence, RF
6. David Freese, 3B            6. Brandon Belt, 1B
7. Daniel Descalso, 2B         7. Gregor Blanco, LF
8. Pete Kozma, SS              8. Brandon Crawford, SS
9. Lance Lynn, RHP             9. Madison Bumgarner, LHP

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny used this exact batting order throughout the NLDS against the Nationals and probably won’t make a lineup change the rest of the way unless there’s a sudden injury.

Giants skipper Bruce Bochy is also sticking to the basics. This game will be broadcast on FOX.

Diamondbacks, T.J. McFarland avoid arbitration

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
By Bill BaerJan 23, 2019, 9:11 PM EST
Leave a comment

Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reports that the Diamondbacks and reliever T.J. McFarland have avoided arbitration, agreeing on a $1.45 million salary for the 2019 season. McFarland, in his third of four years of arbitration eligibility, filed for $1.675 million while the Diamondbacks countered at $1.275 million. McFarland ended up settling for just under the midpoint of those two figures.

McFarland, 29, was terrific out of the bullpen for the D-Backs last season, finishing with a 2.00 ERA and a 42/22 K/BB ratio in 72 innings. While the lefty may not miss a lot of bats, he does induce quite a few grounders. His 67.9 percent ground ball rate last season was the third highest among relievers with at least 50 innings, trailing only Brad Ziegler (71.1%) and Scott Alexander (70.6%).

McFarland was dominant against left-handed hitters, limiting them to a .388 OPS last season, but the D-Backs deployed him nearly twice as often against right-handed hitters, who posted an aggregate .764 OPS against him. It will be interesting to see if the club decides to use him more as a platoon reliever in 2019.