NLDS: Cards vs. Padres

The playoff roster has been announced for the NLDS:

Pitchers
Chris Carpenter, Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver, Jason Marquis, Josh Kinney, Brad Thompson, Josh Hancock, Braden Looper, Adam Wainwright, Tyler Johnson, Randy Flores

Position
Yadier Molina, Gary Bennett, Albert Pujols, Ronnie Belliard, Aaron Miles, David Eckstein, Scott Rolen, Scott Spiezio, Chris Duncan, Jim Edmonds, Juan Enccarnacion, Preston Wilson, So Taguchi, John Rodriguez

Not on roster
Anthony Reyes, Jose Vizcaino, Chris Narveson, Jorge Sosa, Skip Schumaker

I would have kept Reyes over Marquis given the success rate between the two but given the playoffs with what happened with Rick Ankiel, I understand why Tony is not going to go with a rookie in the pressure situations.

This is a must-win series for the Cardinals.

Tuesday
Chris Carpenter (15-8, 3.09) vs. Jake Peavy (11-14, 4.09) in game 1 of the NLDS at Petco Park.

The game is being televised on ESPN and if you're in the St. Louis market, the game is also on CW-11. Chris Berman is doing play by play and color commentary is being provided by Orel Hershiser. Duke Castiglione is reporting from the sidelines.

Lineups
David Eckstein SS
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Jim Edmonds CF
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion RF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Yadier Molina C
Chris Carpenter SP

I'm loving this lineup.

Pujols hit his 11th post-season home run. Edmonds made his long-awaited return to the cleanup position.

St. Louis 5, San Diego 1
Winning pitcher - Chris Carpenter (1-0)
HR: Albert Pujols (1)

Thursday
Jeff Weaver vs. David Wells. Same ESPN commentators from Tuesday afternoon's game. Boomer's a lefty so expect a lineup of mainly right-handed batters from Tony La Russa.

Lineups
David Eckstein SS
Preston Wilson LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion RF
Jim Edmonds CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Yadier Molina C
Jeff Weaver SP

Well, how about that? Bruce Bochy is sure not having any luck playing my Cardinals. Weaver gives up two hits and the bullpen completely shuts them out! Jim Edmonds had his first start in a long time off of a lefty pitcher which was none other than David Wells. The Cardinals are 2-0 in the NLDS this postseason.

I have to say that I was very impressed with Jeff Weaver's performance. The only reason he started and not Jeff Suppan was due to the home/road splits.

St. Louis 2, San Diego 0
Winning pitcher - Jeff Weaver (1-0)
SV - Adam Wainwright (1)

Saturday
Jeff Suppan vs. Chris Young. The Cardinals are not taking anything for granted. It's game three. I'm in Reds country right now. You can be assured that I will be the LOUDEST Cardinal fan EAST of the Mississippi River. The Tigers are up 2-1 against the Yankees.

St. Louis 1, San Diego 3
Losing pitcher - Jeff Suppan (0-1)
HR: So Taguchi (1)

LIVEBLOG OF GAME 3 HERE

Sunday
Yep, we have a game 4 in the series as Bruce Bochy picks up his first postseason win against the Cardinals. Carpenter has the mound against former Cardinal teammate Woody Williams.

Lineup
David Eckstein SS
Preston Wilson LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Jim Edmonds CF
Juan Encarnacion RF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Scott Spiezio 3B
Yadier Molina C
Chris Carpenter P