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(SportsNetwork.com) - Death. Taxes. And the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. St. Louis eyes its second straight World Series appearance and its third in the last four years when it kicks off the best-of-seven NLCS versus the San Francisco Giants on Saturday at Busch Stadium. While the Cardinals are in this round for the fourth straight year and the ninth time since 2000, the Giants are certainly no strangers either and are back in the NLCS for the third time in the last five years. In fact, it will be the fifth straight year that one of these teams will represent the National League in the Fall Classic. The Giants won the 2010 World Series, the Cardinals won it in 2011, the Giants did it again in 2012 and the Cardinals were in the 2013 World Series. San Francisco defeated the Cards in the NLCS in 2012 en route to its title. Since the wild card format came into play in 1995, more NLCS have been played with either the Giants, Cardinals or both (11 times) than not (9 times). St. Louis, which won the NL Central with a 90-72 mark, made quick work of the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, defeating all-world left- hander Clayton Kershaw twice in the series. The Cardinals erupted for eight runs in the seventh inning of Game 1 to pull out a win over Kershaw, before outlasting him in the Game 4 clincher, as Matt Adams three-run homer in the seventh propelled them to a 3-2 win. Kershaw had actually held St. Louis to just one run over six scoreless innings before it unraveled in the seventh. Amazingly, the Cardinals did not have the lead entering the seventh inning in any of the four games. You look at what these guys have been able to do, you take a Matt Adams and see his track record, and even though he didnt throw up huge power numbers this year, he has in the past and can, said St. Louis manager Mike Matheny. Nobody put up big power numbers for the Cardinals this season, as they ranked last in the NL with just 105 home runs. Shortstop Jhonny Peralta led the team with 21 home runs, but only three other players managed to hit more than 10. That hasnt been the case this postseason, especially for light-hitting third baseman and leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter, who had just eight home runs in a league-high 709 plate appearances during the regular season, but homered in each of the first three games against the Dodgers. I wouldnt say it was a struggle, but I never really hit a stretch where I felt like I was really hot, Carpenter said. I would rather take it now than during the regular season. This is when it matters. Carpenter, who was 6-for-17 with seven RBI in the NLDS, powered a Cardinals offense that has hit seven home runs in the playoffs. Weve heard a lot about that this season, our lack of home runs, Matheny said tersely. Its nice to see them in big situations like this. Weve got guys that can do it, but were not preaching it. Still, the Cards are led by ace right-hander Adam Wainwright, who will likely get the call in Game 1. Wainwright had another terrific season, going 20-9 with a 2.38 ERA. Wainwright, though, didnt pitch particularly well in his Game 1 start (6 runs, 11 hits, 6 1/3 innings) versus the Dodgers and his health has been called into question, as he has dealt with arm issues on-and-off throughout the season. Theres no question Waino has been fighting it, Matheny said. Ive not made that a secret, and neither has he. Its all going to come down to how he feels. The likelihood of him saying he cant go is very slim, but it is a possibility that something might not feel right. No pitcher in baseball has thrown more innings since the start of the 2013 season than Wainwright, who has logged 508 (including the postseason). Hes just been grinding, Matheny said. And when youve been grinding, there are just days where you cant get it right. He was having trouble that Game 1. Hes thrown a lot of innings. Hes had a lot of work. But thats what your ace does. The Cardinals will have flexibility to line up their rotation as desired behind him, as Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Shelby Miller will all be throwing on regular rest. If Wainwright runs into trouble Michael Wacha could play a prominent role in this series. Matheny has opted to use last years postseason hero in a relief role. That only strengthens one of the strongest back ends in the majors with Carlos Martinez and first-time All-Star Pat Neshek setting the bridge to closer Trevor Rosenthal. Rosenthal has continued to be a beast in October and has allowed just one earned run in 23 1/3 innings in his two playoff runs (19 games), while recording seven saves. San Francisco, meanwhile, is back in this round for the seventh time after beating the NLs best team, the Washington Nationals, in four games to win its seventh straight postseason series dating back to 2012. Washington had tied Game 4 on a Bryce Harper home run in the seventh inning, but the Giants went ahead to stay on a wild pitch in their half of the frame in the 3-2 win. They were determined not to get back on a plane and go to Washington, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of his team. We couldnt quite put the game away but we kept fighting and when they tied the game we put pressure right back on them. The Giants, of course, also beat Pittsburgh in the one-game wild card showdown last week, marking their seventh straight win-or-go-home victory under Bochy. Like St. Louis, San Francisco doesnt rely on the long ball and managed to leave the yard just once in the NLDS. The Giants still struggle to score runs and managed just nine in the four-game set with the Nationals. However, San Francisco did score eight in its wild card win over the Pirates. But the offense has been a problem for the Giants, particularly down the stretch, as they mustered a mere 44 runs over the final 15 games of the season. Thats our way sometimes, Bochy said. We scratch and paw for runs. The return of Mike Morse could help. Morse has had just two at-bats since August 31 because of a left oblique strain but is 100-percent after being left off the first two playoff rosters for the Giants. Regardless, the Giants are in this position because of their starting staff, namely left-hander Madison Bumgarner. If there was no Kershaw we may very well be talking about an NL Cy Young Award for Bumgarner, who set career-high marks in wins (18) and strikeouts (219) and pitched to a 2.98 ERA. That has carried over into the postseason, as he tossed a four-hit shutout to beat the Pirates, but then absorbed the lone loss in the NLDS for the Giants, but only allowed two earned runs in seven innings. He will be on regular rest if Bochy opts to use him in Game 1. And he should, as Bumgarner was also one of the best road pitchers in the league this season, going 11-4 with a 2.22 ERA in 18 starts away from AT&T Park. His shutout win in the wild card game also came as a visitor. Bumgarner is followed by a pair of right-handed veterans in Jake Peavy, who was dominant in a Game 1 win over the Nats, and Tim Hudson, who shook off a disappointing second half to throw seven innings of one-run ball in Game 2. Guys find some way to get it done, Bumgarner said. Its not always pretty, but regardless, we find a way to win. The x-factor in this series, though, could be righty Ryan Vogelsong, who has become a very under-the-radar postseason stud for the Giants. With his terrific outing in Tuesdays clincher, Vogelsong became the only starting pitcher in MLB to allow one run or fewer in each of his first five career postseason starts (since 1903). In fact, Vogelsong is just the second pitcher in postseason history to have five consecutive starts of allowing one or fewer runs (Curt Schilling: 6 starts from Oct. 21, 1993 to Oct. 31, 2001). Hes also pitched to a 1.19 ERA in five postseason starts, with the Giants going 5-0 in those outings. Giants starters put up a 1.04 ERA against the Nationals, who hit .164 for the series. From starters all the way to relievers, they really executed pitches; didnt make many mistakes, said catcher Buster Posey, who was one of the few offensive stars for the Giants, hitting .398. Thinking back to (Tim Hudsons) start specifically, I feel like a few of the hits they got were on pitches that came back to the middle. Thats a good offense over there. That just tells you how dialed in our guys were. The real MVP of the Giants NLDS win may have been reliever Yusmeiro Petit, who tossed six scoreless innings in the thrilling 18-inning Game 2 win. The Giants bullpen, spearheaded by closer Santiago Casilla, pitched to a 1.86 ERA in the NLDS and struck out 18 batters in 19 1/3 innings. The Giants took four of their seven meetings during the season with the Cardinals, outscoring them, 30-20. The teams, though, havent played since July 3. San Francisco has played the Cardinals three other times in the playoffs. St. Louis edged the Giants in a thrilling seven-game series in 1987, but San Francisco has beaten the Cards both in 2002 and 2012. PREDICITION: Could there be more of an evenly matched LCS than this one? These teams almost mirror each other and they know each over very well. Neither hits a whole lot, they are both led by tremendous starting staffs, backed by two of the best catchers in baseball, and their bullpens are almost identical. On paper, at full strength, this is a toss up. But, I dont think St. Louis is at full strength. Wainwright is hurting. Something is up with that arm. So much so that Matheny hinted that he may have turned to Lynn in a potential Game 5 in the NLDS. Maybe Lackey steps up and fills the role of stopper for the Cards, but I have more faith in the Giants staff overall. And, of course, I buy into the Giants even-year thing. GIANTS in SIX Nike Air Max 270 From China . There was little fanfare, though, when the Yankees captain was taken out of his final regular-season Subway Series game in the eighth inning. Jeter watched the last four outs from the bench, pulled off the field during a double switch Thursday night as the Yankees held off the Mets 1-0. Wholesale Nike Air Max 270 . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year. https://www.cheapnikeairmax270china.us/. She was 30. The former British No. 1 died peacefully surrounded by family and friends, the Womens Tennis Association said on its website. The Kyiv-born Baltacha, who represented Britain at the 2012 London Olympics, was diagnosed with the illness in January, two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-time coach Nino Severino. Fake Nike Air Max 270 . So he and his Toronto FC teammates say they will have no problem getting up for their Amway Canadian Championship final against rival Montreal Impact, even if the result doesnt count toward Major League Soccer standings. Clearance Nike Air Max 270 . -- A 25-year-old freelance journalist from British Columbia was formally charged on Thursday with a felony, five days after she was arrested in the United States over allegations she threatened to kill her hockey player boyfriend.TORONTO - The Raptors (4-5) will look to build off their most encouraging outing of the season at the Air Canada Centre Friday when they host the Chicago Bulls (3-3), who are expected to be without their star point guard. Catch all the action live on TSN at 7pm et and listen on TSN Radio 1050. Derrick Rose, who is nursing a sore right hamstring, is unlikely to play, according to Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. However, that was news to Rose Friday morning. "Theyre still leaving it up to me," Rose said prior to his teams shoot-around, refusing to rule himself out. "[Ill] go out there, see how shoot-around goes and if theres any tightness or soreness, theres no point to go out there and play but if I go out there and it loosens up, I think Ill be playing." The Raptors are returning home after splitting a two-game Western road trip. Following a heartbreaking double-overtime loss in Houston, they bounced back and defeated the Grizzlies, 103-87 on Wednesday. Toronto held Memphis to 43 per cent shooting and forced 19 turnovers, outshooting them 39-17 at the free-throw line. Coming off an atrocious shooting performance in Mondays loss, Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan were both efficient in Memphis. Gay scored 23 points on 8-of-18 from the field against his former team and DeRozan added 18 points, shooting 7-of-13. It was the first time both players shot over 36 per cent in the same game this season. Rose sustained his injury on a drive to the basket in the fourth quarter of Chicagos 96-81 win over the Cavaliers Monday. He has sat out of consecutive practices but with the Bulls off since the beginning of the week, the hope was that he would be able to return in Toronto. "Hes a little better," Thibodeau said of the former MVP. "If he can go, we want him to go. If he feels like he cant go, then we dont want him to go." Regardless of whether or not Rose is able to play, Dwane Caseys game plan remains the same. "Theyre going to be the same team," said the Raptors coach. "Theyre going to hit you in the mouth, punch you in the gut and just [play] smash mouth basketball whether he plays or not." Rose is averaging 28.7 points and 10.3 assists in his last three games against the Raptors, but hes missed the last five meetings and hasnt played in Toronto since February of 2011 after sitting out all of last season recovering from knee surgery. Trends and Tidbits Both the Raptors and Bulls are among the leagues top-five teams in second-chance points. Toronto leads the NBA in that category, averaging 20.2 points off the offensive glass while Chicago ranks fifth with 15.1. The Raptors are averaging 107.3 points, exceeding the century mark in each of their last three games after scoring just 92.3 in their first six contests. Theyre 2-1 on the season when scoring 100 or more points after going 16-16 last year. The Bulls are 28th in scoring, totalling just 92.3 points per game. Over the last three games, the Raptors are averaging 21.3 points off turnovers, while holding opponents to just 12.7 points off their own miscues. Chicago has committed 17.7 turnovers per game, third most in the association. Toronto hasnt had a record at or above .dddddddddddd500 through 10 games since the 2009-10 season, the last year Chris Bosh played for the team. What to Watch For Move the ball For the Raptors, its pretty simple. Good things happen when they move the ball. After registering 10 assists in 58 minutes Monday, they totalled 11 in the first half of Wednesdays win. Gay and DeRozan set the tone early in that game looking to get their teammates involved and it was contagious from there. Everyone was getting easier looks and, as a result, they were more efficient as a team, playing their best basketball of the season. "The Memphis game was one of our [best] moving the ball," Casey said. "Were still trying to get that identity and maintain it, be consistent with it because any time we move the ball and pass the ball, it does create a problem [for the other team]. "Everyday we drill it," he continued. "We talk about it [and] we work on it, so its nothing new." Take care of home court The Raptors happily return home after playing six of their first nine games away from the ACC. Along with Cleveland and Washington, Toronto has played the most road games to start the season. While the Bulls havent missed a beat at home, where theyre a perfect 3-0, theyve struggled on the road to begin the season. They are winless in three games away from Chicago and are giving up 25.4 more points on the road (103.7) than they are at home (78.3). Chicago hasnt started a season 0-4 on the road since 2008-09. Who to Watch For Terrence Ross The Raptors bench was outscored by opponents reserves in each of the first six games but has bested the other teams subs in two of the last three. Ross is largely responsible for that turnaround, leading Torontos second unit in scoring in each of the last two contests. Over that span, the Raptors guard averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, shooting 7-of-11 from the field. "Its becoming easier," the sophomore admitted. "Just [playing with more] focus basically. [Im] playing hard, really just paying attention to detail so I think thats a key thing thats going on with me right now. Casey has been impressed with Ross commitment and focus on the defensive end, which has translated to more playing time for the reserve. "Hes athletic enough he can make a mistake and catch up and make up for it," Casey said, calling Ross one of the teams better on-the-ball defenders but pointing to his improving weak-side defence. "You just dont want to make a living on that." Carlos Boozer Boozer has quietly gotten off to an excellent start for the Bulls, as Rose continues to experience highs and lows working his way back from the knee injury. The Bulls forward is averaging a team-high 18.0 points along with 8.3 rebounds, shooting 60 per cent from the field, good for the third-best percentage in the league. Boozer has scored 24.5 points and grabbed 11.3 rebounds in his last four games against the Raptors. Injury Report Rose is doubtful with a sore right hamstring for Chicago. Steve Novak, who has been inactive for six of Torontos first nine games with back tightness, is feeling better and is expected to play Friday. ' ' '