The hitting star of last year's playoffs, center fielder Carlos Beltran, now plays for the New York Mets, not the Astros. Houston's main run producer of the last decade, first baseman Jeff Bagwell, has been reduced to the role of pinch hitter because of injuries. And the Cardinals are coming off a series in which they averaged seven runs a game against San Diego. St. Louis scored 112 more runs than the Astros during the season, and the Cardinals do it with versatility. Not only is first baseman Albert Pujols the most dangerous hitter in baseball, but the Cardinals can squeeze, hit-and-run and steal the occasional base as well.
Edge: Cardinals
The Cardinals are strong where you're supposed to be: up the middle. Shortstop David Eckstein and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek -- both in their first season with the club -- combine to make a crisp double-play combination, and St. Louis turned more twin-killings than any team in baseball. Center fielder Jim Edmonds is still, at 35, among the most graceful and competent in the game, and catcher Yadier Molina led all of baseball by throwing out 64 percent of would-be base stealers. The Astros are fundamentally sound, and center fielder Willy Taveras has great range. Edge: Cardinals The Cardinals' bullpen led National League relievers with a 3.17 ERA, but struggled in its sweep of the Padres. Al Reyes, who had a 2.15 ERA during the year, is out after tearing an elbow ligament on the last day of the season, and closer Jason Isringhausen and his bullpen mates struggled in the NLDS, combining for an 8.64 ERA and allowing the Padres to hit .400 with three homers. Houston's Brad Lidge "is the best closer in baseball," according to St. Louis center fielder Jim Edmonds, and setup men Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls each had more than 70 appearances, helping the Astros to the best save percentage, as a team, in baseball. Edge: Astros There is one reason, and only one reason, why the Astros were the trendy pick to win the World Series when the postseason began, and that is their rotation. Only six starters in the NL had a better ERA than Houston's Roy Oswalt (2.94) -- and two were teammates Roger Clemens (1.87) and Andy Pettitte (2.39), who ranked first and second in the majors. But none has as good a chance of winning the NL's Cy Young Award as St. Louis's Chris Carpenter (21-5, 2.83), the Game 1 starter. The Cardinals' rotation gets murkier after that, as lefty Mark Mulder is recovering from a bruised left biceps and Matt Morris has a 5.74 ERA in six career NLCS appearances. Edge: Astros All games on WTTG-5, WBFF-45 except Game 2, which will be shown on FX cable in some areas. Game 1: Astros (Andy Pettitte, 17-9, 2.39) at Cardinals (Chris Carpenter, 21-5, 2.83), Wednesday, 8:20 * If necessary
Game 2: Astros at Cardinals, Thursday, 8:20
Game 3: Cardinals at Astros, Saturday, 4:25
Game 4: Cardinals at Astros, Sunday, 4:25
Game 5: Cardinals at Astros, Monday, 8:20*
Game 6: Astros at Cardinals, Wednesday, 4:20*
Game 7: Astros at Cardinals, Thursday, 8:20*
