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The American League is taking the day off ahead of two decisive Game 5’s, so Tuesday’s MLB Playoff stage belongs exclusively to the National League, as the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets look to lock up their respective series. 

Monday’s Home Run Derby at the Wrigley wind tunnel ended with the Cubs on top, giving them a 2-1 lead in their NLDS matchup. And the Mets broke the deadlock in their series in record-breaking fashion with 13 runs against the Dodgers. 

Here, you’ll find a primer for Tuesday’s Game 4 action in the NL, including the betting line, where to watch and predictions for who will come out on top. 

NLDS Schedule: Tuesday, Oct. 13

*Odds courtesy of Odds Shark

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs (Cubs lead 2-1)

It was pretty windy in Chicago Monday night. 

All that wind, plus the ball-smashing talents of Chicago’s young nucleus, led to six home runs from the Cubs in the victory. That’s a new single-game postseason record. 

Wrigley Field is the venue again Tuesday afternoon. And, for what it’s worth, The Weather Channel thinks the wind will be travelling out once again, with only a slight drop in velocity from 19 mph to 16 mph. 

After Jake Arrieta turned in his worst start in months in Game 3, giving up four earned runs in 5.2 innings, the Cubs hand the ball to righty Jason Hammel Tuesday. The 33-year-old has been unspectacular but relatively effective in his last three starts, earning a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 13 strikeouts. 

Hammel owns a 4.80 postseason ERA in 15 innings, but he hasn’t thrown a pitch in the playoffs since 2012. 

Opposing Hammel is Cardinals righty John Lackey, who looked like he might no-hit Chicago in Game 1. He threw 7.2 shutout innings in the win Friday, striking out five and issuing just one walk.

With St. Louis staring down the barrel of a win-or-go-home scenario, the Cardinals will give Lackey the call on short rest in the hopes that he bottled up some of his Game 1 dominance for later use. 

Prediction: Chicago’s offensive surge overpowers Lackey on short rest. Cubs win 6-4 and take the series. 

Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets (Mets lead 2-1)

Now’s Clayton Kershaw’s chance. 

Now’s his chance to chip away at that inexplicable 4.99 postseason ERA he’s amassed and finally translate some of his historic regular-season success into an October performance worthy of his standards. 

In Game 1, the reigning NL MVP struck out 11 batters and gave up three earned runs in a 6.2 innings. He was out-dueled by Jacob deGrom, who threw seven shutout innings in the Mets’ victory. 

Luckily for the Dodgers, Kershaw won’t be facing any member of New York’s three-headed pitching monster; the Mets will be sending rookie left-hander Steven Matz to the mound instead. Less luckily for the Dodgers, they’re forced to pitch Kershaw on short rest facing elimination. 

In all likelihood, Los Angeles will also have the option to play Chase Utley despite the two-game suspension MLB gave him Monday. He’s eligible to play until his appeal is heard, and the Los Angeles Times‘ Bill Shaikin says it’s “unlikely” it will be heard before Tuesday’s game. 

From the Mets’ perspective, they enter Game 4 with a bit of momentum. Their 13 runs in Game 3 is the most a team has ever scored in a postseason game, and it’s the most New York has scored since Aug. 24 against the Phillies. 

Prediction: Kershaw suspends his playoff woes and douses the Mets’ hot bats in ice water. Dodgers win 7-2 and avoid elimination. 

*All stats courtesy of MLB.com

Danny Garrison is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report’s Breaking News Team. You can follow him on Twitter @DannyLGarrison. 

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