Following a split of the two games in St. Louis, the Cardinals continue to demonstrate why they are defending World Champions.  After an extreme beat down of the Washington Nationals in Game 2 where the Cards scored 12 runs, the team continued to attack one of the best pitching staffs in the MLB with an 8-0 win in Game 3.  The team is just one game away from knocking out the very young Nationals and continuing the run for yet another championship.

The Cardinals are as dangerous as any team in the postseason.  Once a team is in the playoffs, the records and performances of the regular season are erased.  The only thing that matters is surviving one round at a time and capturing the World Champions title.  Only one win is needed for this energized team to continue in their quest for 12 in ’12.

TODAY’S PREDICTION: With Kyle Lohse taking the mound in Game 4, the Cards should have confidence in their ability to finish the series.  After leading the Redbirds to a victory over the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card game, Lohse seems unstoppable.  One key for St. Louis is to be patient at the plate and for the top of the order to lead the way for the team.  That means Jon Jay and Carlos Beltran need to put the ball in play and get the rhythm going for the team.  We have already seen how dangerous the lineup can be when Pete Kozma belted a clutch 3-run home run to give the Cards a quick lead.  I think the leaders of the team will step up today and put Cardinal Nation just one series away from returning to the Fall Classic.

FINAL:  STL 5                       WAS 3