At the end of the regular season, it was the Cards in their usual spot atop the National League Central, thanks to a 100-win season. For all the excitement created by the Cubs, the franchise with the Clydesdales remains the team to beat.
That was the statement that the Cardinals made with the 4-0 victory in the NL Division Series opener on Friday night at Busch Stadium, even if Lackey insists that the Cards aren't viewing the Cubs as a Cinderella story.
"Not really," Lackey said. "I knew who was pitching for them.