The Cardinals have done extraordinarily well in the NLDS in recent years, but they have a difficult task facing them, needing to win at Chicago and following it up with a home win.
By the time many people will be sitting down to dinner today, the Cardinals' season could be over. John Lackey, an impending free agent, might be making his last pitches for the team as he tries to keep the season alive. Jason Heyward might have played his last game as a Cardinal. The team's streak of four consecutive National League Championship Series appearances could be over.