Cardinals-Dodgers Series Preview

Aug 6, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese (23) tags out Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe (5) on a sacrifice play. The Cardinals defeated the Dodgers 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals clinched their 3rd straight trip to the National League Championship series berth on Wednesday night. Now the Cardinals will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here is what you need to know about the Cardinals and Dodgers.

– The regular season series finished 4-3 in favor of the Dodgers. However, both teams were successful on the road. The Cardinals won the series at Dodgers Stadium and the Dodgers won the 4 game series at Busch Stadium in August.

– Despite these two legendary baseball teams having the first and second most World Series titles in the National League (11 for the Cardinals, 6 for the Dodgers), they have only met twice in the playoffs. In 1985, the Cardinals beat the Dodgers in the NLCS 4 games to 2. In 2009, the Dodgers beat the Cardinals 3 games to zero in the NLDS.

– Joe Kelly will get the start in Game 1 of the NLCS for the Cardinals tonight. Although I would of like to see Michael Wacha get the start tonight, I understand why the Cardinals aren’t pitching him on 3 days rest.

– The biggest question mark for the Cardinals in this series is who will be the 4th man in the rotation. Will it be Lance Lynn or Shelby Miller? I think it should be Shelby Miller. Lance Lynn is not a clutch postseason pitcher. I hope to see Shelby Miller pitching in Game 4.

– Unfortunately, Allen Craig will not be available for the Cardinals in the NLCS. Matt Adams was outstanding in the NLDS and he will have to keep it up against the Dodgers. Cardinals fans hope he can still deliver.