Cardinals' Carlos Martinez: Throws seven scoreless frames versus Pirates

Martinez (16-9) threw seven shutout innings, striking out nine and allowing just five hits and one walk in a victory over the Pirates that keeps the Cardinals' wild card hopes alive.

Analysis:

If only he could face Pittsburgh all the time. In four starts against the Pirates this season, Martinez posted a 1.75 ERA. After struggling to finish hitters off early in the year, Martinez struck out 101 batters in his final 100 innings after June. He ends the regular season with a 3.04 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 195.1 innings.