Was Lynn the right choice?

In Game 1 of the NLDS the Cardinals went with their ace Adam Wainwright and he did what aces do, dominate. With a chance to take a two-game lead in a best-of-five series was Lance Lynn the best choice to start Friday? Considering Lynn's struggles in last year's playoffs I will say the answer is no and should have been in the bullpen.

Manager Mike Matheny all season long as done almost the extreme opposite of his predecessor Tony LaRussa. LaRussa seemed to be a micro manager and would change lineups or change pitchers at the drop of a hat while Matheny seems to under manage by not making enough changes or staying with a starter too long or in most cases giving the player too many chances.

Wasn't Lynn in danger of losing his job in the rotation in September? Yes, he pitched well in his last few starts but take it as they were: one game against the Cubs and two against the Brewers, not exactly teams who offered much of a challenge this year. Here is a shocker for you, the last time Lynn faced the Pirates in the regular season he gave up seven earned runs in a loss in Pittsburg. Maybe that was what was running through Matheny's mind when he chose to use Lynn at home.

For the sake of arguing, say that we used rookie Michael Wacha in Game 2. Wacha has done well in September and was one out from a no-hitter his last time out. I would think that starting a rookie at home would be much easier than starting him on the road in Game 4 when it could be a clinching game. Choose your rookie is a new game that seems to be working so far this season in many situations in the rotation and in the bullpen especially. The question will be asked the rest of the year if we can't come back to win this series; Should Matheny have used Wacha or Shelby Miller in Game 2?

What it comes down to is the Cardinals didn't play well and Matheny, in my opinion, should have pulled Lynn sooner. After Lynn got in trouble in the third inning, Matheny got Miller up in the bullpen but didn't bring him in. The Cards defense was shaky with a couple of miscues that turned into runs. Jon Jay misjudged a fly ball in center, David Freese makes a couple of miscues and Yadier Molina dropped a pop up but it didn't lead to any runs. When the opposing pitcher gets a hit up the middle to score the first run after you walked the batter in front to get to the pitcher we should have known it was going to be a long game.

Everyone will be overthinking and over analyzing the decisions and non decisions of the entire post season. Will Matheny stop trying to be the nice guy and fire this team up by getting ejected once in awhile or actually pull a pitcher when he isn't sharp?