Plauderecke » . Johnson is averaging 15.7 points, his

(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 Cheap Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. Cheap Arizona Cardinals Jerseys China . 1. Did the Senators trade the wrong goalie? Lets make one thing clear: The Ottawa Senators acquired Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues for one reason and one reason alone. http://www.cheaparizonacardinalsjerseysauthentic.com/. -- Quarterback Josh Johnson has returned to the San Francisco 49ers and his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh. Cheap Cardinals Jerseys .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Wholesale Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont.DENVER - Its been four years since the Raptors had a representative in the All-Star Game. DeMar DeRozan, a 20-year-old rookie at the time, remembers it well. "I was here when Chris Bosh was the last guy to go," said DeRozan, now 24 in his fifth NBA season, less than two hours after receiving the news. A first-time All-Star, DeRozan got the nod Thursday evening when the NBA named the Raptors guard to the Eastern Conference squad as a reserve. "I work extremely hard every off-season to try and be the best player that I can be," he said proudly. "Just to be a part of All-Star Weekend is something you dream of. I remember being a kid watching All-Star Weekend and wishing to be a part of it. To see your dreams come true definitely means a lot." DeRozan, the fourth ever Raptor selected to the midseason showcase, which will take place in New Orleans on Feb. 16, was hardly surprised to find out his selection had been made official. He had expected it. The texts from family and friends started to come in as the Raptors plane landed in Denver, shortly after the announcement had been made live on TNT. Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden called to congratulate him, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, also an Eastern reserve, sent a text. The first call he made was to his fiancé and his infant daughter back in Toronto. "That was cool," he said of what had to be a special moment. Its a moment, an achievement that didnt come overnight. Hes put in the work and his growth as a player, a leader and as a man reflects that. "Hes worked at it [and] he deserves it," said Dwane Casey, who has coached DeRozan in three of his five seasons. "Every year Ive been here he has improved. He has brought something new back after every summer. Im so happy and proud of him as a young man watching him grow." DeRozan, the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, is 11th in the league in scoring, fourth in the East, and averaging career highs in points (21.8), rebounds (4.7) and assists (3.6). The Raptors iron man has missed the clubs previous two games with an ankle injury, but hes still only missed 10 contests in his career, with two full seasons under his belt. Since the trade of Rudy Gay, DeRozan has blossomed in his new role. DeRozan has recorded five or more assists in 12 of the 43 contests hes appeared in this season. He accomplished that feat 12 times all of last year and five times total in his first three seasons combined. He has already grabbed five or more rebounds 23 times this season, something he did in 19 games during the 2012-13 campaign. "Im so happy for him, man," said snubbed teammate Kyle Lowry. "It just shows the hard work that hes put in. Its great for our team, its great for the organization, its great for the city, its great for the country." Of course, the news wasnt entirely positive. Lowry, in the middle of a career season, was left off the All-Star rostter.dddddddddddd The 27-year-old point guard - widely considered to be the most notable name missing from the East team - stood in the lobby of the Raptors Denver hotel, looking ahead to his mid-Febrary vacation. He too was not surprised by the result of the voting and if he was disappointed by it, he didnt show it. "Im alright," said Lowry, averaging career-highs in points (16.8), assists (7.6) and three-point shooting (41 per cent) this season. "Ill be on a beach somewhere hanging out. Ill watch the All-Star game and cheer for (DeRozan)." Lowry is coming off of back-to-back 30-plus point games for the first time in his eight-year career, however both performances came after the coaches submitted their ballots for All-Star reserves on Sunday. Casey has spent the better part of the last month campaigning for both of his guards, hoping to get both voted in, but expecting to only get the one. Why was Lowry left out? Politics, most likely. He and DeRozan may have split votes from coaches who were only willing to vote for one Raptor. Coaches trying to get their own guy in - unable to vote for their own players, by rule - may have thrown their votes to others, less likely to make it. Then theres Lowrys reputation for being, well, prickly on occasion. However, the numbers speak for themselves, or at least they should have. Lowry leads the East in assists in January, averaging 8.3. Hes also hit more threes this month (49) than any player in the league, shooting them at a 46 per cent clip. Hes among the league-best in assist-to-turnover ratio and he has the second highest PER (player efficiency rating) of any guard in the conference. "I am disappointed for Kyle because he is playing like an All-Star," Casey said. "He is one of the best point guards in the league right now and hopefully this doesnt deter him from his continuing his journey to being the best in the league and proving people wrong." Instead, the Nets Joe Johnson made the cut. Johnson is averaging 15.7 points, his lowest mark since 2002-03, his second season in the league. Hes only the second All-Star voted in by the coaches with a below-average PER since 2003. "Im going to keep grinding no matter what, All-Star or not," Lowry said. "Im always going to work hard and continue to be the best player I can be to help my team win." "Honestly I didnt even worry about it," he continued. "We didnt get two, doesnt matter, we got one and thats a big statement for our team. [DeRozans] going to represent our team and hes going to represent us well." DeRozan joins Johnson, Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Wall, the Indiana Pacers Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks Paul Millsap on the East squad, along with starters LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Heat, Indianas Paul George, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving. ' ' '