For the first time in MLB history, there was a play-in game for the playoffs for the top two wildcard teams. After losing arguably the best first baseman in baseball, Albert Pujols, the Cardinals chances of repeating as champs, or even making the playoffs were slim.
Exceptional pitching by Kyle Lohse and a breakout year for Catcher Yadier Molina landed the Cardinals a spot in the wildcard play-in game with a record of 88-74. They faced the Atlanta Braves, with a record of 94-68.
Kris Medlen was the Braves starting pitcher for the win or go home game facing off against Lohse. The Braves struck first with a two-run second inning, however the Cards quickly retalliated and later secured the victory 6-3.
After defying one obstacle, the Cardinals were matched up against the best team in baseball, the Washington Nationals. Posting a major league best 98 wins, the odds were heavily against the Cards.
The Cardinals let game one slip away, but came back and blew out the Nats in game two 12-4. The series was dead even, and so far the Cardinals were the ones playing the better baseball. Freese went back to his usually post season heroics and first year Cardinal Carlos Beltran, an October all-star, has posted incredible numbers, both have been instrumental to the Cards success.
Chris Carpenter got the start for game three and with the help of the bullpen, shut down the powerful National lineup 8-0. The stage was set for the Cards to clinch the series in four games.
Game four was a tight knit pitchers duel that went into the ninth inning tied 1-1. National right fielder Jayson Werth took Cardinal relief pitcher Lance Lynn deep for a walk-off home run, saving the National’s season.
The Cards found themselves in a familiar situation in game five, on their backs facing their season’s end. Down 7-5 in the top of the ninth, third basemen Daniel Descalso had the bases loaded and was down to his last strike. Descalso looped the insuing pitch into center, scoring two runs and tying the game. Next batter, Short stop Pete Kozma, made the most of his opportunity and singled in the winning runs to take a 9-7 lead.
The Cardiac Cards had done it again, moving on to the NLCS to face the San Francisco Giants, with the World Series in close grasp.
The Cards split the games in San Francisco, and came home weary for a victory at Busch stadium. Lohse put the team on his back and pitched a gem in game three, winning 3-1 in front of the electrifying St. Louis crowd.
The Cards have demonstrated the same poise they conducted last year during their World Series run, and are getting the St. Louis fans hopeful for another one. Game four is set to begin at 7:07 this evening.
