The San Francisco Giants meet the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS...again. By now there is no denying that these two teams are the class of the National League.
For a fifth consecutive season, either the Giants or the Cardinals will represent the NL in the World Series - with the teams trading appearances every other year, starting in 2010 with the Giants.
Regular Season Records:
San Francisco: 88-74, 2nd place in NL West
St. Louis: 90-72, 1st place in NL Central
Season Series: Giants won 4-3
Key Stat: The Cardinals are making their fourth straight NLCS appearance and seventh in the last 10 years, going 4-2 during that span. The Giants have reached the NLCS for the third time in the last five years, winning both of their previous two appearances.
San Francisco Outlook: The Giants continue to defy the odds, this time defeating the top seeded Nationals in four games, including an 18 inning victory in Game Two.
While the offense wasn't overly impressive against Washington - scoring just the pitching did the job against a deep Nationals lineup.
Madison Bumgarner, Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong combined for 25.2 innings, allowing just four earned runs. That total doesn't even include Yuismero Petit's six shutout innings in relief during Game Two.
Michael Morse looks like he will be healthy enough to return to the Giants roster, either as the starting left fielder or bench player.
St. Louis Outlook: The Cardinals did the near impossible, coming back to defeat Clayton Kershaw twice in their four game series win over Los Angeles.
St. Louis relied on some unlikely heroes, with Kolten Wong and Matt Adams each contributing game-winning home runs, while Randal Grichuk hit a home run off of Kershaw to leadoff Game One.
Matt Carpenter delivered some rare power, hitting a home run in each of the first three games of the series.
Adam Wainwright should start Game One, though he does not appear to be completely healthy as he nurses an elbow injury.
What to watch for: These teams have become very familiar with playoff success over the last few years, thanks in large part to their managers.
Bruce Bochy and Mike Matheny have proven to be two of the best in baseball when it comes to managing their respective rosters.
In a series that promises to be very close throughout, whichever manager can make the right calls at crucial points will give their team the deciding edge.
What they're saying - Giants:
Bochy insists Giants haven't forgotten about Lincecum (CSN Bay Area)
Morse should be back for NLCS (McCovey Chronicles)
What they're saying - Cardinals:
Cardinals must get to Giants starters (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Three questions heading into NLCS (Redbird Rants)
For more coverage check out the Chat Sports team pages:
San Francisco Giants News & Rumors
St. Louis Cardinals News & Rumors
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