Round 2: St. Louis, Houston will square off again in NLCS

ST. LOUIS -- They are members of the same division. They're perennial playoff teams. And they're meeting for the second year in a row with a trip to the World Series at stake.

All right! Let's have some fightin' words between these obviously bitter rivals.

"They run a classy organization over there," said Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros. "We have a lot of respect for them."

Hmm, maybe we'll fare better at stirring things up in the opposing clubhouse.

"They're a good bunch of guys," said David Eckstein of the St. Louis Cardinals. "It's hard to dislike them."

Thud.

Clearly, this isn't Middle America's version of Yankees-Red Sox. In fact, it's not even close to being the best rivalry in the NL Central -- that distinction belongs to the Cardinals-Cubs.

"That's at a different level because of the fans," Eckstein conceded. "I don't know that you'll find a Cardinals fan who says he hates the Astros more than the Cubs."

But, when it comes to performance on the field, the Cardinals and Astros have risen to the top of the senior circuit.

They're back for the first NL championship series rematch in 13 years, which begins with Game 1 tonight at soon-to-be-demolished Busch Stadium.

"It's a classic from a baseball standpoint," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Maybe you don't get as much passion from the fans during Cardinals-Astros as you do for Cardinals-Cubs. But we're building a pretty good passion base for our fans and for each other because we play so much."

Indeed, there are many similarities between the teams.

Both have deep starting rotations. Both have dominating closers. Both have versatile offenses that can go long or manufacture runs when the situation calls for it. And both are making a habit of playing in October.

St. Louis has six playoff appearances over the past decade, reaching the NLCS four times and the World Series a year ago with a seven-game victory over the Astros -- a memorable series that was overshadowed by Boston's comeback win against the Yankees in the ALCS.

The Cardinals stayed alive when Jim Edmonds hit a game-winning homer in the 12th inning of Game 6. St. Louis closed out the series by beating Roger Clemens in Game 7.

Houston is making its sixth playoff appearance in nine years and looking to reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The Astros made a breakthrough last year by escaping the opening round, beating perennial nemesis Atlanta. They knocked off the Braves again this year, advancing with an 18-inning win Sunday -- the longest game in postseason history.

Now, even after meeting 16 times during the regular season and preparing for Astros-Cardinals II, both sides say it's impossible to drum up the sort of hatred that signifies a truly passionate rivalry.

For one, Houston still feels like a junior member instead of an equal partner.

The Cardinals followed up last year's NL pennant -- the 16th in franchise history -- by going 11-5 against the Astros this season on the way to 100 wins and a runaway victory in the Central Division.

Houston finished 11 games back, but managed to pull out the wild card after falling 15 games under .500 early in the year.

"It's not really going to be a rivalry until we start beating the Cardinals a couple of times," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "When they go home mad, then it will be a rivalry. Right now, it's kind of one-sided."

But he acknowledges the parallels between the teams, right down to the makeovers both underwent since their first meeting in the NLCS, changes brought on by frail health and monetary decisions.

Albert Pujols had another huge year (.330, 41 HRs, 117 RBIs), but he's the only one in the St. Louis lineup to reach triple figures driving in runs. He had a lot more help last year, but injuries to Scott Rolen, Larry Walker and Reggie Sanders forced the Cardinals to be more creative with their offensive production.

"We do the little things," said first-year Cardinal Mark Grudzielanek, who wasn't around for last season's power display. "I've never seen so many squeezes in my life."

The pitching staff also picked up the slack. The Cardinals got a huge season from Game 1 starter Chris Carpenter (21-5), backed him up with offseason acquisition Mark Mulder (16-8) and rounded off the rotation with Jeff Suppan (16-10) and Matt Morris (14-10). Jason Isringhausen had 39 saves.

The 2004 Astros also featured a prolific offense, built around Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent and the remaining "Killer B's" -- Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

But Beltran and Kent were lost in free agency, Berkman had to come back from offseason knee injury and Bagwell is only a shell of the once-fearsome slugger, limited to pinch-hitting after shoulder surgery. Morgan Ensberg was the only Houston hitter to reach 100 RBIs.

Like the Cardinals, Houston's pitching helped fill the void. Andy Pettitte (17-9, 2.39 ERA) will go in Game 1, followed by Roy Oswalt (20-12, 2.94) and the 43-year-old Clemens (13-8, 1.87). That trio held down three of the top seven spots on the NL's ERA list, and Brad Lidge (42 saves) is one of the game's best finishers.

"On the field, it's a classic," La Russa said. "We play the game the same way."

OK, so Astros-Cardinals doesn't qualify as a rivalry in the classic sense -- there's just not enough trash-talking. Maybe, though, these teams are coming up with their own definition.

"It may not be intense in the stands, but it's intense on the field," Berkman said. "It's not a rivalry of hatred. It's a rivalry of mutual respect. We enjoy competing against these guys."

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NLCS Summary

A look at the best-of-seven National League championship series between the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals:

Schedule:

(All times Eastern) Game 1, Wednesday, at St. Louis (8:19 p.m., FOX); Game 2, Thursday, at St. Louis (8:19 p.m., FOX); Game 3, Saturday, at Houston (4:25 p.m., FOX); Game 4, Sunday, at Houston (4:35 p.m., FOX); x-Game 5, Monday, at Houston (8:20 p.m., FOX); x-Game 6, Wednesday, at St. Louis (4:20 p.m., FOX); x-Game 7, Thursday, at St. Louis (8:20 p.m., FOX)

x-if necessary.

Season Series

St. Louis won 11-5.

Projected Lineups

Regular season stats

Astros: 2B Craig Biggio (.264, 26 HRs, 69 RBIs, 17 HBP), CF Willy Taveras (.291, 3, 29, 71 infield hits, 34 SBs), 3B Morgan Ensberg (.283, 36, 101), LF Lance Berkman (.293, 24, 82, 91 walks), 1B Mike Lamb (.236, 12, 53), RF Jason Lane (.267, 26, 78), SS Adam Everett (.248, 11, 54); C Brad Ausmus (.258, 3, 47).

Cardinals: SS David Eckstein (.294, 8, 61, 11 SBs), CF Jim Edmonds (.263, 29, 89), 1B Albert Pujols (.330, 41, 117, 16 SBs), RF Larry Walker (.289, 15, 52 in 100 games), LF Reggie Sanders (.271, 21, 54 in 93 games), 2B Mark Grudzielanek (.294, 8, 59), C Yadier Molina (.252, 8, 49), 3B Abraham Nunez (.285, 5, 44).

Projected Rotations

Astros: LH Andy Pettitte (17-9, 2.39 ERA, won last seven decisions, 14-2 with 1.56 ERA last 20 starts), RH Roy Oswalt (20-12, 2.94, career-high 241 2-3 innings), RH Roger Clemens (13-8, major league-best 1.87 ERA), RH Brandon Backe (10-8, 4.76).

Cardinals: RH Chris Carpenter (21-5, 2.83), LH Mark Mulder (16-8, 3.64), RH Matt Morris (14-11, 4.11), RH Jason Marquis (13-14, 4.13) or RH Jeff Suppan (16-10, 3.57).

Relievers

Astros: RH Brad Lidge (4-4, 2.33, 42/46 saves, 103 Ks in 70 2-3 IP), RH Dan Wheeler (2-3, 3 saves, 2.21 in 71 games, 69 Ks), RH Wandy Rodriguez (10-10, 5.33 in 25 games, 22 starts), RH Russ Springer (4-4, 4.73), RH Ezequiel Astacio (3-6, 5.67 in 22 games, 14 starts), RH Chad Qualls (6-4, 3.28 in 76 games), LH Mike Gallo (0-1, 2.66).

Cardinals: RH Jason Isringhausen (1-2, 2.14, 39/43 saves), RH Julian Tavarez (2-3, 3.43, 4 saves), LH Ray King (4-4, 3.38), RH Cal Eldred (1-0, 2.19), RH Brad Thompson (4-0, 2.95, 1 save), LH Randy Flores (3-1, 3.46, 1 save).

Matchups

Central rivals meet in first NLCS rematch since Braves-Pirates in 1991-92. Cardinals beat Astros in seven games last year, rallying against Clemens in Game 7 at Busch Stadium. The home team won every game in the series. ... Cardinals swept three-game series in St. Louis in April and again in July. ... Carpenter dominated Houston this season, going 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA in five starts. He pitched two complete games, including a shutout, and had two wins in games started by Clemens. ... Pettitte was 0-1 in three starts against St. Louis despite a 1.35 ERA. Oswalt was 1-2 with a 5.21 ERA in three starts. ... Sanders hit .429 with five HRs and 13 RBIs against Houston. ... Ensberg hit .339 against St. Louis with five HRs. ... Biggio was hitless in 12 at-bats and struck out twice against Mulder. ... Pujols had four homers, eight RBIs and 12 runs against the Astros. Walker 1-for-9 against Clemens this year.

Big Picture

Astros: Knocked out Braves in four games in opening round, wrapping up series with 7-6 victory in 18 innings, the longest game in postseason history. Clemens came out of the bullpen to pitch three innings and win the clincher. Pettitte won the opener for his 14th postseason victory, one behind Atlanta's John Smoltz for most ever. Oswalt followed his second straight 20-victory season by also winning his start. ... With Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent departed, and Berkman and Jeff Bagwell ailing, Houston (89-73) was 15-30 after 4-2 loss at Chicago on May 24. But Astros went 74-43 the rest of the way to clinch wild card on final day of regular season -- just like last year. The 1914 Boston Braves were the only other team to come back from 15 games under .500 to make playoffs. ... Have dominant closer in Lidge, who converted 26 of last 27 save chances in regular season. ... Stellar pitching was needed because Astros scored two runs or fewer 52 times and were scoreless 17 times -- nine of their shutouts coming in games started by Clemens. ... Berkman is recovered from offseason knee surgery and hit 11 homers in September. Bagwell missed 115 games after shoulder surgery, and is now solely a pinch-hitter.

Cardinals: Finished with best record in league (100-62) and followed with sweep of San Diego in division series, racing to big leads in all three games. Sanders set NLDS record with 10 RBIs and Cardinals got plenty of hitting from likes of Pujols (.556), Eckstein (.385), Edmonds (.364) and Nunez (.364). ... Defending NL champions reached 100 wins in consecutive seasons for second time in franchise history (1942-44). ... Nunez stepped in to replace Scott Rolen (shoulder), who homered off Clemens in Game 7 of last year's series. Sanders (broken leg), Molina (broken hand) and Walker (herniated disc in neck) all missed significant playing time during season, but Cardinals got big years from utilitymen Nunez and So Taguchi. ... Rotation is a major upgrade from last year with Cy Young Award candidate Carpenter and Mulder at top. ... Al Reyes, team's top middle reliever, tore elbow ligament in regular-season finale and will require reconstructive surgery, forcing him to miss playoffs and 2006.

Watch For:

-- Rotating Houston's Way. The Astros couldn't set up their rotation the way they wanted for last year's NLCS. With Clemens unavailable until Game 3, the Cardinals faced Backe and Pete Munro in Games 1 and 2, and Oswalt got only one start. This time, Houston has postseason stalwart Pettitte -- who was out with elbow injury last year -- going in the opener and Oswalt and Clemens to follow, and should need only one start from outside of that trio.

-- Up For a Test? Cardinals were never in jeopardy of losing in first round, outscoring Padres 19-2 in first five innings. They probably can't expect things to come so easily against Houston's pitching.

-- Houston's Problem. Inconsistent offense was Astros' biggest problem during season. The Astros got much of their offense in last year's NLCS from Beltran, and may need Ensberg, Berkman, or somebody else to carry them this time.

-- Role Players on a Roll. The Cardinals' lineup is dangerous enough with Pujols and Edmonds. If Sanders, Eckstein and Nunez hit the way they did in the first round, St. Louis has enough weapons even for a staff as good as Houston's.

-- Astros Time? Houston needed eight tries before it finally won a playoff series. After first-round victories the last two years, are Astros ready to advance to World Series for first time? With Clemens, Biggio and Bagwell all nearing the end of their careers, Astros may not get a better chance.