3 Bold Predictions for Cardinals-Braves NLDS Game 5

The Atlanta Braves and their dominant top half of the lineup will try to take down the red-hot Jack Flaherty and the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLDS. In a series that's already been so improbable, expect the nigh-impossible in Game 5.

3. Jack Flaherty Doesn't Last Five Innings After Getting Shelled by Homers

Flaherty has a sub 1.00 ERA since the All-Star break, and he looked just as unhittable for the first six innings of Game 2. However, he ran out of gas, and Adam Duvall promptly punished a meatball right down the middle for a pinch-hit home run. You can only keep Freddie Freeman and Josh Donaldson quiet for so long, so expect one or both of them to get some good hacks off against Flaherty early.

2. Paul Goldschmidt and Marcell Ozuna Both Hit 2-Run Homers

The Cardinals needed to add some thunder in the middle of the lineup and Goldschmidt has provided just that, clubbing 34 home runs this season while homering twice in this series. He and Marcell Ozuna have been able to demolish Atlanta's so-so starting pitching, and this partnership likely isn't sweating Foltynewicz despite being dominated in Game 2. Folty will make a mistake at some point, and these two dialed-in sluggers will punish it.

1. Atlanta Wins in Extra Innings

The main reason people are doubting the Braves is because of their lackluster bullpen, as Shane Greene and Mark Melancon aren't exactly Hoffman and Mariano. However, Carlos Martinez and the ragtag group of characters the Cardinals have arguably been just as ineffective. Trust the likes of Ronald Acuña and Ozzie Albies to get the big hit when it counts late and to send the Cardinals home for the fall as Atlanta pulls out a close Game 5 win at home.