Frogs in the Pros: October 8-14, 2015

Here's a look at how 2 of our MLB Frogs faired in the POSTSEASON during the week of October 8-14, 2015:

Jake Arrieta (P/Chicago Cubs) - Arrieta faced the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLDS on October 12.  Arrieta pitched more than 5 innings and allowed 4 (earned) runs on 5 hits, including a home run in the 6^th inning.  He walked 2 and struck out 9.  The Cubs won 8-6 in Chicago.  Spoiler alert: The Cubs will continue on in the postseason.  You can see all of Arrieta's season stats here.

Next game: vs. New York Mets on 10/17/2015 at 7:07 p.m. on TBS (Note: Arrieta is scheduled to pitch in Game 2 on 10/18/2015)

Matt Carpenter (3B/St. Louis Cardinals) - Pretend you didn't just read the paragraph above.  Now here's a look at Carpenter's postseason performance against the Chicago Cubs:

October 9 - We all know Carpenter has really found the power in his swing this season.  He's got more home runs this season than any other, but that also means he risks hitting more fly balls that don't make it over the fence and end with an out.  This was the story in Game 1 of the series.  He had a fly out to left field in the bottom of the 1^st, followed by a line drive to right resulting in an out in the bottom of the 3^rd.  In the bottom of the 5^th it was a fly out to right field.  He finally got walked in the bottom of the 8^th and was able to score when Stephen Piscotty hit a 2-run homer.  The Cardinals won 4-0 at home.

October 10 - In the bottom of the 1^st, Carpenter lead the order and BAM! hit a home run to center field.  He popped out in the bottom of the 3^rd.  Then he struck out swinging in the bottom of the 5^th and struck out looking in the bottom of the 8^th.  The Cardinals lost 6-3 at home.

October 12 - After a one-day break to travel to Chicago, the two teams met for Game 3.  Carpenter and Arrieta faced off in a game that made Frog fans sit back and relax because for once no one cared who the heck walked away with the win.  But Arrieta was Arrieta, and that wasn't good news for Carpenter.  He flied out to right field in the top of the 1^st and flied out to left field in the top of the 3^rd.  He singled to right field in the top of the 5^th and then struck out swinging in the top of the 7^th.  He flied out to left again in the top of the 9^th and the Cardinals lost 8-6 in Chicago.

October 13 - In Game 4 of the series, Carpenter had better luck.  He singled to right in the top of the 1^st and was brought in by Piscotty again on a home run.  He flied out to center in the top of the 2^nd and struck out swinging in the top of the 5^th and top of the 7^th.  He hit a shallow single in the top of the 9^th to left center field and made it to second base on a fielder's indifference (why baseball doesn't just call this a stolen base is beyond me, btw).  Unfortunately, Piscotty struck out swinging to end the inning, the game, and the Cardinals' playoff dreams before Carpenter could get back home again.  The Cardinals lost 6-4 in Chicago.

The Cardinals lost the series 3-1.  Carpenter had a .235 postseason AVG.  He had 4 hits and 3 runs, including 1 home run, during the National League Division Series.  He was walked 1 time and had 1 RBI.  You can find his full season stats here.  We congratulate Carpenter on a fantastic season and wish him the best of luck next year!