THE SERIES

History St. Louis has now appeared in the NLCS in four of the last six seasons. The Cards have already beaten Houston 12 times this year. Last World Series title: 1982. At the plate Albert Pujols hit .404 with five homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored in two previous NLCS. Reggie Sanders — who had 10 RBIs against San Diego — is a post-season fixture, playing in his 13th playoff series with five different teams. In the field San Diego hit .302 in the series against the stellar Cardinals staff. But the pitchers stranded 26 Padres’ baserunners and the defence turned seven double plays. Swing player Larry Walker was 0 for 9 with five strikeouts against San Diego and will need to do better to continue hitting No. 4 behind Pujols. History The Sox won their first post- season series since the 1917 World Series by dispatching Boston in three straight in the division series. Last World Series title: 1917. At the plate While Chicago spent the season emulating the ’ 59 Go-Go Sox, it played the Red Sox like the old Sox bashers of the ’70s. Chicago hit .289 with 13 extra-base hits, including seven homers. In the field The White Sox pitchers did not change their personalities, though, and were lifted by Orlando Hernandez out of the bullpen. Swing player Jon Garland, an early AL Cy Young candidate this season, has been shunted to the back of the rotation. He was passed over for the Game 1 start last night and will pitch Game 4 on two weeks’ rest. History Did we mention the Astros have lost to the Cardinals 12 times this season? Back- toback NLCS appearances, too bad its against St. Louis again. Last World Series title: None. At the plate Houston hit .227 in the 2004 NLCS against St. Louis — with Carlos Beltran hitting .417 with 4 HRs. Lance Berkman and Morgan Ensberg each had five hits against Atlanta and together had 12 RBIs. In the field Simply put, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt, Roger Clemens and Brad Lidge are capable of winning it all themselves. Swing player

Craig Biggio is a far different player than he was in the 2004 NLCS. Often the first player removed in a double switch last post-season, he had six hits — four doubles, and six runs scored against Atlanta. History Los Angeles is two for two against the Yankees in the division series having beaten the Bombers in 2002, the year the Angels won the World Series. Omen? Last World Series title: 2002. At the plate Vladimir Guerrero hit only .167 in his post-season debut in the 2004 division series against Boston. He hit .333 against the Yankees but had no extra-base hits and no RBIs. Garret Anderson hit only .263 but had two key homers and seven RBIs. In the field Jarrod Washburn’s illness, Bartolo Colon’s back and Ervin ( Magic) Santana’s 51/ innings of relief on Monday put big question marks on the pitching staff. Swing player

Kelvin Escobar may have to jump back into the starting rotation if Colon is out.