Jaime

Garcia

Garcia struggled to a 5.82 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 73/44 K/BB ratio in 82 innings last season between the Blue Jays and Cubs, but he probably could have found a minor league contract and camp invite on the open market this winter. The left-hander hangs up his cleats having registered a 3.85 ERA across 1,135 career major league frames. He won a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 2011.

Garcia last pitched Monday and would be on normal rest by this weekend, but he’s struggled mightily on the road throughout his major league career and so the Cardinals are going with Edwin Jackson for Game 2 in Philly.

As expected. Garcia was marvelous for six innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies before Ben Francisco took him deep with a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the seventh. He struggled on the road this year, posting a 4.61 ERA (he held a 2.55 mark at home), and he’ll have a tough matchup against Zack Greinke and the Brewers. The Cards have not officially announced the rest of their rotation for the series, but they’re expected to go with Edwin Jackson in Game 2, Chris Carpenter in Game 3 and Kyle Lohse in Game 4.

He walked three and struck out three. Garcia gave up a pair of homers, though they only accounted for half of his runs. We don’t want to heap all the blame on Garcia, however. He allowed a single and two doubles to begin the fifth inning and should have been pulled for Octavio Dotel, who was warming in the ‘pen. Instead, Tony La Russa left in Garcia and he served up a two-run bomb to Prince Fielder, turning a 5-2 lead heading into the inning into a 6-5 deficit. Garcia also struggled on the road during the regular season, posting a 4.61 ERA against a 2.55 mark at home.

An expected move, as Garcia has fared far better at home during his career than he has on the road. The 25-year-old southpaw has a 5.74 ERA over three starts during the postseason, but six out of the 10 runs he has allowed came in Game 1 of the NLCS at Milwaukee. He’ll likely be followed in the series by Kyle Lohse and Edwin Jackson.

Garcia appeared to be in trouble after giving up two runs in the first, but settled down from there, even though he didn’t have his best stuff. All told, he allowed five hits while fanning three and walking a pair. The 25-year-old southpaw is traditionally a bit of an adventure away from Busch Stadium, but he remains a must-own pitcher in mixed leagues.

Garcia wasn’t dominant, walking three while striking out three, but didn’t need to be after being spotted five runs in the first two innings. Tonight was the first time in three starts Garcia recorded an out beyond the sixth inning. Through 17 2/3 frames, he boasts a 3.06 ERA, but ugly 1.64 WHIP. He’ll get the Cubs at Wrigley Field next Monday.

Garcia struck out six, but also committed a baserunning blunder that would have provided him with a precious extra run of support. Regardless, the quality start was his fourth in five outings this season, while he’s now sporting a 2.78 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20/8 K/BB ratio through 32 1/3 frames. He’ll get the Astros in Houston next weekend.

Garcia was too much for the banged-up Nationals today. All three hits he allowed were singles, and he didn’t walk anyone. Garcia had a horrible spring last year on his way to a nice season (he allowed 25 runs -- 16 earned -- in 23 innings), but he’s been just fine with a 3.38 ERA this month.

Garcia was pulled with a couple runners on in the eighth despite having thrown only 85 pitches. It was his best outing of the season, as he lowered his ERA to 2.49, though that’s come with a 1.42 WHIP. He’ll face the Brewers at home this weekend.