The Cardinals jumped the Brewers for four runs in the first inning and the Brewers didn’t recover from it in time. Yovani Gallardo started the game and he worked 5 innings allowing 8 hits, walked 5 batters, gave up 4 runs (all earned) and he whiffed two batters….earning the loss. LaTroy Hawkins, Takashi Saito and Chris Narveson combined to throw three scoreless innings, which allowed the Brewers to have a chance to make a come back, which they didn’t. Mark Kotsay got a rare start and he made the most of it was he was 1 for 2 with a run scored, a homer and 2 RBIs. Yuniesky Betancourt (2 for 4 with 1 RBI), Rickie Weeks (1 for 4 with 1 run scored), Jerry Hairston (1 for 4 with 1 run scored) and Ryan Braun (1 for 3) also pitched in for the Brewers offensively. They are now down 2-1 to the Cardinals with Game #4 in St. Louis tonight.

The Brewers’ pitching staff got battered and bruised by the Cardinals’ hitters last night! Shaun Marcum started last night and he was awful again. He pitched 4 innings in this he allowed 7 hits and 5 runs (all earned). He was the losing pitcher. Marco Estrada followed him in the game and he was not good either. Estrada pitched 2 innings allowing 3 hits and 2 runs (all earned) despite whiffing 3 batters. Kameron Loe was next up and he really sucked. He pitched 1/3 of an inning allowing 6 hits and 4 runs (all earned)! LaTroy Hawkins was the only Brewers’ pitcher not to give up a run in this game as the worked 2/3 of a inning. Chris Narveson finished up this game by working the last 2 innings allowing only 1 hit, 1 run (earned), and whiffing 3 batters while walking none. Prince Fielder led the way with the bat for the Brewers last night as he was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 1 double, 1 homer and 1 RBI. Rickie Weeks also had a solid game as he was 1 for 4 with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Ryan Braun (2 for 4 with a double) and Yuniesky Betancourt (2 for 4) also pitched in for the Brewers with the bats in this game. The Brewers are now tied up with the Cardinals 1-1, with the series shifting to St. Louis.

The Brewers were playing home run derby in Game #1 of the N.L.C.S. yesterday. Ryan Braun brought out the whipping stick as he was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 1 double, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. Prince Fielder (1 for 3 with 1 run scored, a homer and 2 RBIs) and Yuniesky Betancourt (2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 1 double, 1 homer and 2 RBIs) also pounded the ball for the Brewers yesterday. Jerry Hairston (2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a double) and Jonathan Lucroy (2 for 4 with a double and a RBI) also pitched in. Zack Greinke was the winning pitcher for the Brewers in this game. He worked the first six innings allowing 8 hits, 6 runs (all earned), while walking 2 batters and whiffing six. Takashi Saito and Francisco Rodriguez each worked a scoreless inning to get the lead to the closer. John Axford slammed the door by working a scoreless ninth inning, whiffing two batters to earn the save. The Brewers are now up 1-0 in the N.L.C.S.

These teams both won very impressive Game #5’s last night to advance to the National League Championship Series. This looks to be a pretty even series with the Brewers owning home field advantage. Here is a look at the matchups in this series:

CATCHER: 29-year old righty swinging Yadier Molina is a decent hitter and a outstanding defensive player. Molina played in 5 games in the first round of the playoffs and he was 4 for 19 (.211 avg, .461 OPS) with 1 run scored, 0 homers, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 37 games in his career during the post-season and he is 38 for 127 (.299 avg, .745 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers, 12 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

25-year old righty swinging Jonathan Lucroy has been solid all year long for the Brewers. He played in 4 games in the Brewers’ first playoff series and he was 3 for 15 (.200 avg, .400 OPS) with 1 run scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs. The Brewers hope he will be better in this series.

EDGE: CARDINALS

FIRST BASE: 31-year old righty swinging Albert Pujols had a solid first series against the Phillies. He played in all 5 games for the Cardinals and he was 7 for 20 (.350 avg, .909 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 0 homers, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. Pujols has now played in 61 games in the post-season in his career so far and he is 71 for 219 (.324 avg, 1.000 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 13 homers, 37 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

27-year old lefty swinging Prince Fielder looked solid against the D-Backs. He played in all five games in the first round of the playoffs and he was 5 for 18 (.278 avg, .937 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. Fielder has now played in 9 games in the post-season in his career and he is 6 for 32 (.188 avg, .727 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 homers and 5 RBIs.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR CARDINALS

SECOND BASE: 31-year old righty swinging Ryan Theriot will likely get most of the P.T. in this series at 2B with Skip Schumaker hurting. Theriot played in 3 games against the D-Backs and he was 6 for 10 (.600 avg, 1.400 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 9 games in his post-season career and he is 12 for 33 (.364 avg, .824 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

28-year old righty swinging Rickie Weeks is a dangerous hitter despite the awful start to the post-season. He played in all five games against the D-Backs and he was only 1 for 18 (.056 avg, .357 OPS) with 0 runs scored and 1 RBI. Weeks has now played in 8 games in his post-season career and he is 1 for 22 (.045 avg, .296 OPS) with 0 runs scored and 1 RBI.

EDGE: EVEN

SHORTSTOP: 33-year old switch-hitting Rafael Furcal has given the Cardinals’ a spark since coming over from the Dodgers. He played in 5 games against the Phillies and he was 5 for 22 (.227 avg, .636 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. Furcal has now played in 46 games in his post-season career and he is 46 for 192 (.240 avg, .670 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 3 homers, 14 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

29-year old righty swinging Yuniesky Betancourt looked decent in his first ever taste of the playoffs against the D-Backs. He played in 5 games against the Diamondbacks and he was 5 for 18 (.278 avg, .760 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 1 RBI.

EDGE: EVEN

THIRD BASE: 28-year old righty swinging David Freese showed what he is capable of when he’s healthy against the Phillies. Freese played in all 5 games against the Phillies and he was 5 for 18 (.278 avg, .833 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. He good enough to be even better than that against the Brewers.

35-year old righty swinging Jerry Hairston was a surprise starter over Casey McGehee in the first round of the playoffs and he rewarded manager Ron Roenicke for making that call. Hairston played in all five games against the D-Backs and he was 6 for 16 (.375 avg, .900 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs. He has now played in 11 games in the post-season in his career and he is 8 for 24 (.333 avg, .774 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs.

EDGE: CARDINALS

LEFT FIELD: 31-year old righty swinging Matt Holliday is looking like a full go in this series and that’s good news for the Cardinals. He played in 4 games against the Phillies and he was 2 for 9 (.222 avg, .522 OPS) with 2 runs scored. Holliday has now played in 18 games in his post-season career and he is 17 for 66 (.258 avg, .830 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 6 homers and 11 RBIs.

27-year old righty swinging Ryan Braun also steps up on the big stage. He played in all 5 games against the Diamondbacks and he was 9 for 18 (.500 avg, 1.460 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Braun has now played in 9 games in his post-season career and he is 14 for 34 (.412 avg, 1.124 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

EDGE: BREWERS

CENTER FIELD: 26-year old lefty swinging Jon Jay will get most of the work in CF for the Cardinals in this series. He played in all 5 games against the Phillies and he was 2 for 12 (.167 avg, .500 OPS) with 2 RBIs. That was his first taste of the playoffs and the Cardinals hope he will do better against the Brewers.

31-year old lefty swinging Nyjer Morgan is likely going to get most of the P.T. in CF in this series. He played in 4 games against the Diamondbacks and he was 3 for 16 (.188 avg, .528 OPS) with 1 run scored and 3 RBIs. The Brewers hope Morgan has some more magic in his bat in this series.

EDGE: EVEN

RIGHT FIELD: 35-year old switch-hitting Lance Berkman didn’t get a lot of hits against the Phillies, but he made them count. He played in all 5 games against the Phillies and he was 3 for 18 (.167 avg, .675 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Berkman has now played in 39 games in his post-season career and he is 42 for 140 (.300 avg, .960 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 8 homers, 34 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

29-year old righty swinging Corey Hart was so-so in the first round of the playoffs. Hart played in 5 games against the D-Backs and he was 5 for 21 (.238 avg, .608 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. He has now played in 9 games in the post-season in his career so far and he is 8 for 34 (.235 avg, .594 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR CARDINALS

BENCH: 27-year old righty swinging 3B/OF Allen Craig is probably going to get into almost every game in this series at least as a pinch hitter. He played in 3 games against the Phillies and he was 1 for 10 (.100 avg, .657 OPS) with 3 runs scored. 33-year old switch-hitting Nick Punto will probably platoon with Ryan Theriot at 2B in this series. Punto played in 3 games against the Phillies and he was 1 for 6 (.167 avg, .333 OPS). He has now played in 9 games in the post-season so far in his career and he is 7 for 27 (.259 avg, .630 OPS) with 1 RBI. 24-year old lefty swinging infielder Daniel Descalso is likely going to see increased P.T. in this series. He played in 4 games against the Phillies and he was 0 for 3 (.000 avg, .000 OPS). 31-year old righty Gerald Laird likely won’t get into this series unless something happens to Yadier Molina. Laird played in 1 game against the Phillies and he was 0 for 0. 25-year old rookie lefty swinging outfieler Adron Chambers played in all 5 games against the Phillies and he was 1 for 2 (.500 avg, 1.500 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. 31-year old lefty swinging 2B/OF Skip Schumaker is likely going to miss this series due to an oblique injury. This is a bad break for the Cardinals. Schumaker played in all 5 games against the Phillies and he was 6 for 10 (.600 avg, 1.400 OPS) with 1 run scored and 3 RBIs. He has now played in 7 games in the post-season in his career and he is 8 for 16 (.500 avg, 1.243 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs.

25-year old righty swinging CF Carlos Gomez is likely going to get a lot of action in this series. Gomez played in 3 games against the D-Backs and he was 3 for 4 (.750 avg, 2.250 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 4 games in the post-season in his career so far and he is 3 for 8 (.375 avg, 1.250 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. 35-year old lefty swinging OF/1B Mark Kotsay played in 4 games against the D-Backs and he was 0 for 3 (.000 avg, .250 OPS) with 1 runs scored. Kotsay has now played in 21 games in the post-season in his career and he is 16 for 73 (.219 avg, .579 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. 28-year old righty swinging 3B Casey McGehee will be an important pinch hitter for the Brewers in this series. He played in 3 games against the D-Backs and he was 1 for 3 (.333 avg, .667 OPS). 41-year old lefty swinging infielder Craig Counsell is still on the roster, somehow! He played in 2 games against the D-Backs and he was 0 for 2 (.000 avg, .000 OPS). He has now played in 37 games in the post-season and he is 27 for 116 (.233 avg, .635 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 2 homers, 14 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. 28-year old lefty swinging catcher George Kottaras might get into a game or two in this series. Kottaras played in 1 game against the D-Backs and he was 0 for 3 (.000 avg, .250 OPS) with 1 RBI.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR BREWERS

STARTING PITCHING: The Cardinals have the clear edge here as their starting pitchers looked much better in the first round. 36-year old righty Chris Carpenter pitched in 2 games (both starts) against the Phillies and he was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He has now pitched in 11 games (all starts) in the post-season in his career so far and he is 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. 28-year old righty Edwin Jackson also looked pretty good against the Phillies. He pitched in 1 game (a start) against the Phillies and he was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Jackson has now pitched in 4 games (1 start) in the post-season so far in his career and he is 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Jaime Garcia started 1 game against the Phillies and he was 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP as he only threw one bad pass. 33-year old righty Kyle Lohse didn’t look so good for the Cardinals in the first round. Lohse pitched in 1 game (a start) against the Phillies and he was 0-1 with a 8.44 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He has now pitched in 7 games (2 starts) in his career in the post-season and he is 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

25-year old righty Yovani Gallardo is a big time pitcher for the Brewers. He started 2 games against the Diamondbacks and he was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. Gallardo has now pitched in 4 games (3 starts) in his career in the post-season so far and he is 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. 27-year old Zack Greinke didn’t look too good in his first start in the post-season in his career and he was 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. 29-year old righty Shaun Marcum had a disaster in his first post-season start as well as he was 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP. 35-year old lefty Randy Wolf was the worst of the bunch though. He started 1 game against the D-Backs and he was 0-1 with a 21.00 ERA and a 3.67 WHIP. Wolf has now pitched in 3 games (all starts) in the post-season and he is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.33 WHIP.

EDGE: CARDINALS

BULLPEN: The Cardinals use the bullpen a lot as Tony LaRussa loves to play the numbers. 29-year old righty Jason Motte did a solid job of closing against the Phillies. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) against the Phillies and he was 0-0 with 2 saves, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.30 WHIP. Motte has now pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in the post-season in his career so far and he is 0-0 with 2 saves, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.23 WHIP. 26-year old righty Fernando Salas also looked really good against the Phillies. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) against the Phillies and he was 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.55 WHIP. 37-year old righty Octavio Dotel was nasty against the Phillies as he worked in 3 games (0 starts) in which he was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.00 WHIP. Dotel has now pitched in 11 games (0 starts) in the post-season and he is 2-0 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. 27-year old righty Mitchell Boggs didn’t look too good against the Phillies. Boggs pitched in 2 games (0 starts) against the Phillies and he was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.50 WHIP. He has now pitched in 3 games (0 starts) in his post-season career and he is 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA and a 2.33 WHIP. 41-year old lefty Arthur Rhodes has turned back the clock. He worked in 3 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals against the Phillies and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.00 WHIP. Rhodes has now pitched in 24 games (0 starts) in his career in the post-season and he is 0-1 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. 26-year old lefty Marc Rzepczynski didn’t pitch too well against the Phillies as he worked in 3 games (0 starts) in which he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 4.00 WHIP. 34-year old righty starting pitcher Jake Westbrook didn’t pitch in the first round of the playoffs as the Cardinals didn’t really need a long man. He has pitched in 3 games (all starts) in the post-season in his career so far and he is 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

28-year old righty closer John Axford blew a lead in Game #5 against the D-Backs, before his team came back and made him the winning pitcher. Axford pitched in 3 games (0 starts) against the D-Backs and he was 1-0 with 1 save, a 2.25 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. 29-year old righty Francisco Rodriguez will be the set-up man in this series once again for the Brewers. He pitched in 2 games (0 starts) against the D-Backs in the first round of the playoffs and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 2.50 WHIP. K-Rod has now pitched in 23 games (0 starts) in the post-season in his career and he is 5-4 with 3 saves, a 2.94 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. 41-year old righty Takashi Saito will be the 7th inning guy for the Brewers in this series. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) against the D-Backs and he was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP. Saito has now pitched in 7 games (0 starts) in his post-season career and he is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. 38-year old righty LaTroy Hawkins provides even more quality depth for the Brewers’ pen. Hawkins pitched in 1 game (0 starts) against the D-Backs and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He has now pitched in 16 games (0 starts) in the post-season so far in his career and he is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. 29-year old righty Kameron Loe was solid against the D-Backs as he worked in 2 games (0 starts) in which he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. 28-year old righty Marco Estrada was the long man for the Brewers against the D-Backs. He pitched in 2 games (0 starts) and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. 29-year old Chris Narveson is going to be the only lefty in the pen for the Brewers in this series. He pitched in 2 games (0 starts) against the D-Backs and he was 0-0 with a 11.57 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

EDGE: BREWERS

MANAGERS: 66-year old Tony LaRussa is a master tactician. He looks at all the numbers but sometimes goes with a gut feeling instead. His decisions went a long way to helping his team upset the very heavily favored Phillies in the N.L.D.S. LaRussa is now 42-37 (53.2%) in the post-season as the Cardinals’ manager, so he’s very battle tested.

55-year old Ron Roenicke was getting outmanaged quite a bit by Kirk Gibson in the N.L.D.S. He can’t let that happen again, or the Brewers’ season is going to be over after this series.

EDGE: CARDINALS

PREDICTION: CARDINALS IN SIX GAMES

Closer John Axford blew the save in the 9th inning, but he worked a scoreless 10th inning to earn the win tonight. Carlos Gomez and Nyjer Morgan shared CF this year, but tonight they shared the spotlight. Gomez came into the game as a defensive replacement, and in his first at bat (in the bottom of the 10th inning) he ripped a single. He then stole second base and scored on a single by Nyjer Morgan, to win the game and the series for the Brewers. Morgan was 2 for 5 with 1 run scored, 1 double and a RBI tonight. Ryan Braun (2 for 3 with a run scored, a walk and a double) and Yuniesky Betancourt (1 for 4 with 1 RBI) also had solid games with the bat for the Brewers tonight. Yovani Gallardo was excellent once again tonight for the Brewers as he worked the first six innings allowing six hits, 1 run (it was earned), walking 2 batters and whiffing 5. Takashi Saito and Francisco Rodriguez shut down the D-Backs with scoreless 7th and 8th innings tonight. John Axford worked the last two innings in this game, allowing 2 hits, 1 run (it was earned) while whiffing 2 batters and walking none. The Brewers won this series 3-2 and they will advance to the N.L.C.S. to deal with the division rival St. Louis Cardinals.