NLCS Preview - Houston vs. St. Louis

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HOUSTON ASTROS: NL wild card winner; def. Atlanta, 3-1, in NLDS

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: NL Central champion; def. San Diego, 3-0, in NLDS

(Sports Network) - The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals will meet for the second consecutive year in the National League Championship Series. The best-of-seven matchup gets underway on Wednesday at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals won last year's thrilling series with Houston in seven games to capture the National League championship and earn its first berth in the World Series since 1987. However, St. Louis was then swept in four games by the Boston Red Sox.

The Astros advanced to the NLCS after disposing of the Atlanta Braves in four games in the Division Series. In Game 4 on Sunday, Chris Burke hit a game- winning home run with one out in the bottom of the 18th inning, as Houston posted a 7-6 victory over Atlanta at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros won the longest postseason game in baseball history and captured the best-of-five set, 3-1.

After Roger Clemens struck out to begin the home 18th, Burke drilled a 2-0 pitch from Joey Devine (0-1) into the left field seats.

Clemens (1-1), who pitched three innings to earn the win, made his second career relief appearance and first since his rookie season of 1984 with Boston.

Lance Berkman hit an eighth-inning grand slam and Brad Ausmus added a two-out, game-tying homer in the ninth for the Astros, who rallied from a 6-1 deficit and defeated Atlanta for the second straight year in the Division Series.

Meanwhile, St. Louis swept its best-of-five Division Series from San Diego. In Game 3 on Saturday, David Eckstein went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and Matt Morris tossed six solid innings for the win, as the Cardinals beat the Padres, 7-4, at PETCO Park.

Morris (1-0) allowed two runs and five hits while striking out four and walking three. Jason Isringhausen recorded the final four outs to collect the save.

Reggie Sanders also drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who improved to 17-4 all-time in the Division Series.

The Cardinals, who are making their fourth NLCS appearance in six years, finished 11-5 against the Astros during the regular season and won six of the eight meetings versus Houston at Busch Stadium.



LINEUP

Sanders batted .333 (4-for-12) and set an NLDS record for RBI in a single series by driving in 10 runs in only three games against the Padres. In the series-opener, the leftfielder belted a grand slam and knocked in an NLDS and postseason team record six runs. Sanders then stroked a two-run double in Game 2 and then completed his stellar set with two RBI on Saturday.

First baseman Albert Pujols hit a team-high .556 in the NLDS (5-for-9) to go along with a .778 slugging percentage. He had a pair of doubles and scored four runs. Eckstein, the starting shortstop, had five hits in 13 at-bats (.385) and contributed four runs batted in and three runs scored.

Centerfielder Jim Edmonds and third baseman Abraham Nunez each batted .364 (4- for-11) in the series. Edmonds also scored a team-high five times, while Nunez had three runs scored. Catcher Yadier Molina chipped in three RBI.

Third baseman Morgan Ensberg paced Houston in runs batted in with seven during their Division Series against Atlanta. He batted .278 (5-for-18) and scored a pair of runs.

Berkman hit .357 (5-for-14) with a homer, five RBI and four runs scored, while centerfielder Willy Taveras also posted a .357 average and scored twice in the series.

Second baseman Craig Biggio collected six hits, including four doubles, in 19 at-bats (.316) and contributed a team-high six runs scored versus the Braves. Outfielders Jason Lane and Orlando Palmeiro chipped in three RBI apiece.

EDGE: ST. LOUIS



STARTING PITCHING

Andy Pettitte will take the mound for the Astros in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. The lefthander picked up the win in the opener of the NLDS versus Atlanta last Wednesday, yielding three runs on four hits in seven innings. He was making his first postseason appearance for Houston after missing last year's playoffs with elbow problems. Pettitte has not lost since August 16, as he went 7-0 with a pair of no-decisions in his last nine starts of the regular season. He is 14-8 all-time in the postseason, including a 6-1 mark with a 3.92 ERA in nine League Championship Series starts.

Clemens also struck out four during his relief stint in the series-clinching win over Atlanta on Sunday. The righthander atoned for a shaky start in Game 2 of the set, as he was touched for five runs on six hits and three walks in five innings to absorb the loss. Clemens is 11-8 all-time in the postseason, including a 4-4 record with a 3.94 earned run average in 13 League Championship Series starts. In two starts versus the Cardinals in the 2004 NLCS, he went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA.

Roy Oswalt picked up the victory for Houston in Game 3 against the Braves on Saturday, surrendering just three runs on six hits, while striking out seven and walking two over 7 1/3 innings. The righthander is 2-0 all-time in the playoffs. He faced St. Louis twice in the 2004 NLCS, including one start, and went 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA.

Brandon Backe will likely be the fourth starter for Houston. He was fortunate to escape with a no-decision in Game 4 of the NLDS versus Atlanta after giving up five runs on five hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. The righthander tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Game 2 of the series. Backe went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three starts during the 2004 postseason. In two starts against St. Louis in the NLCS, Backe went 0-0 with a 2.84 earned run average.

The Cardinals got great starting pitching en route to the sweep of the Padres in the National League Division Series.

Chris Carpenter, who will get the start in the opener of the NLCS on Wednesday, earned the win in Game 1 versus San Diego after tossing six scoreless innings and allowing just three hits, while walking three and striking out three. Carpenter (1-0), a top candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, left the game as a precaution with cramps in his hand. The 30-year-old righty was 21-5 with a 2.83 ERA this season.

Mark Mulder made his fifth career postseason start in Game 2 and picked up the win, as he allowed only one run in 6 2/3 innings. Mulder (1-0) scattered eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts. The lefthander will be making his first-ever start in a League Championship Series, as all four of his playoff starts for Oakland occurred in a pair of Division Series (2001, 2002). Mulder is battling a bruised left arm after being hit by a line drive in Thursday's game.

Morris recorded just his second career playoff win on Saturday. The righthander has made 14 appearances in the postseason, including 10 starts, and is 2-5 with a 3.97 earned run average. Morris made two starts against Houston in the 2004 NLCS and went 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA.

Jason Marquis (13-14, 4.13) will likely be the fourth starter for the Cardinals in the NLCS. The righthander won four of his last five decisions of the regular season, but was fortunate to escape with a no-decision in his last start versus Cincinnati on October 1. In that contest, he surrendered five runs on seven hits, including two homers, in six innings. Marquis has participated in six postseason games, including three starts, and is 0-1 with a 4.96 earned run average. In the 2004 NLCS against the Astros, he started one contest but was not involved in the decision.

EDGE: HOUSTON



BULLPEN

The Astros have perhaps the best closer in baseball in Brad Lidge, who recorded 42 saves to go along with a 4-4 record and a 2.29 ERA in 70 games during the regular season. Lidge did not get a save in the NLDS against Atlanta, despite appearing in three games. He allowed no runs and just two hits in four innings of work.

Dan Wheeler is Houston's quality setup man, as he appeared in 71 contests during the regular season and went 2-3 with a 2.21 ERA and three saves. Wheeler participated in three games in the NLDS and yielded one run on four hits in 4 1/3 frames. Chad Qualls can also be counted on out of the bullpen, although he struggled against the Braves. In three innings over two games, Qualls was touched for two runs and five hits in three innings.

St. Louis' right-left punch out of the bullpen in the NLDS against San Diego was Julian Tavarez and Randy Flores. Tavarez appeared in two games and allowed two runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Flores, who has been getting playing time instead of Ray King, participated in three contests and gave up one run on two hits in two frames. King struggled in September and has also been dealing with personal issues. Brad Thompson and Cal Eldred also pitched in relief against the Padres.

Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen has registering 86 saves in the last two seasons. Isringhausen blew just four of 43 save opportunities this year, while registering a career-best 2.14 ERA. In the NLDS against San Diego, he made three appearances and yielded one run on five hits in three innings. The righthander recorded his first save of the playoffs in Game 3.

EDGE: HOUSTON



MANAGERS

St. Louis' Tony La Russa is in his 10th season as manager of the Cardinals. He has guided St. Louis to six playoff appearances, including five in the last six years. The Cardinals have won five of their six Division Series and captured the NL championship in 2004 under La Russa.

Phil Garner was able to guide the Astros to a second consecutive NL wild card berth, despite not having two key players from a year ago (Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent were lost to free agency). Also, an injury to Jeff Bagwell limited the first baseman to just 39 games. However, the Astros again used a strong second half to overcome a 15-30 start. Houston then disposed of Atlanta in four games in the NLDS.

EDGE: ST. LOUIS



BENCH

The Cardinals have talented utility man John Mabry off the bench. Mabry has the ability to play both corner positions in the infield as well as right and left in the outfield. He appeared in two games against San Diego in the NLDS and went 1-for-2 at the plate.

So Taguchi is another key reserve for St. Louis. Taguchi, a versatile outfielder, played in 143 games this season, hitting .288 with eight homers and 53 RBI. He participated in all three contests in the NLDS and went 0-for-1 as a hitter.

Palmeiro started the first two games of the NLDS for Houston and then came off the bench for Games 3 and 4. He had just one hit in seven at-bats, but knocked in three runs.

Burke, Mike Lamb and Bagwell were huge contributors in the NLDS for the Astros. Burke went 2-for-3 with a double and the game-winning homer in the 18th inning of Game 4. Lamb had three hits in six at-bats, including a homer, while Bagwell also batted .500 (1-for-2) with an RBI and a run scored.

EDGE: EVEN



PROGNOSIS

The Cardinals needed seven games to eliminate the Astros in the 2004 NLCS, despite the fact that Houston did not have Pettitte in the rotation due to his elbow problems. With the veteran lefthander healthy this year and pitching at the top of his game and the bullpen strong with the likes of Lidge and Wheeler, the Astros should be able to earn their first-ever trip to the World Series. Also, St. Louis is without star third baseman Scott Rolen (shoulder). Rolen enjoyed a solid League Championship Series versus Houston last year, as he batted .310 (9-for-29) with three homers, six RBI and six runs scored in seven contests. Prediction: HOUSTON IN SIX ..


The Sports Network Rich Rosenberg, MLB Contributing Editor
 

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Thanks for posting this article Wil .... just the kind of details I was looking for on this series as don't follow the National League as much as the American League (was in AL-only roto league) .... good reasoning I suppose by this guy, but somehow can't see Cards losing this series .... so pitching match-ups should be: Pettitte vs. Carpenter, Clemens vs. Mulder, Oswalt vs. Morris and then will be interesting to see if both managers will really use their fourth starters in game 4 (Backe vs. Marquis) .... they always say good pitching beats good hitting, but IMO not in this series, good luck and thanks again for posting.
 

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sure it took the cards 7 games to eliminate the astros last year. but remember, c beltran had a series agnst the cards that was out of this world. the best series that i have ever seen. seemed like if beltran didn't homer, then he would double of the wall, then if they walked him, he would steal 2nd. that's how he got all that money from the mets. poor mets.
 

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Joe Falls said:
sure it took the cards 7 games to eliminate the astros last year. but remember, c beltran had a series agnst the cards that was out of this world. the best series that i have ever seen. seemed like if beltran didn't homer, then he would double of the wall, then if they walked him, he would steal 2nd. that's how he got all that money from the mets. poor mets.
Very good point. Beltran was unbelievable in that series. That alone would offset having Pettite. Didn't Astros also have a healthy Bagwell in that series?
 

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One other thing you failed to mention about last years playoff between Cards and Astros. The Cards didn't have Carpenter or Mulder and that more than offsets the addition of Pettitte for Houston. The Cards are also one of the best teams in baseball at playing small ball and manufacturing runs. As a Cardinal fan I will admit the Astros were the only team in the national league I was worried about playing in the playoffs. They have a very good bullpen to go along with thier starters and that means anything might happen in a 7 game playoff. But I believe the Cards are much better than the Astros in all other aspects of the game.
 

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