What It Means:

Wacha really struggled in September -- 21 runs in 24 innings -- and his issues carried over into his first postseason outing. He served up three home runs on the day, walked three and needed 90 pitches to cover the 4 1/3 frames. The righty allowed a go-ahead homer to Kris Bryant in the fifth before finally getting the heave-ho.

The 24-year-old Wacha posted a 3.88 xFIP this season while whiffing just 7.59 hitters per nine innings. St. Louis will go with John Lackey on short rest in Game 4 as they attempt to stave off elimination.