St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres

St. Louis barely made it to the playoffs after the Houston Astros made a late push, but they are proving they belong after taking a 2-0 series lead in San Diego. Now, the Padres, like the Twins, must hope they can be the second team in Division Series history to win after losing the first two at home (the Yankees pulled off that feat against the A’s in 2001). With the Cardinals’ experience and Albert Pujols supplying game-winning RBIs, they look poised to head to their third straight NLCS. Cardinals in three.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets

On paper, it would look like the Mets’ chances of moving on are slim since top starters Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez (9-3, 2.55 ERA in the playoffs) are out when the team needs them most. With John Maine and Oliver Perez needed to start, the Mets may not be the overwhelming favorite, but they still remain the favorite. The Dodgers have had a hard time so far counteracting the tough lefties in the Mets lineup and the Mets have a solid enough bullpen, with a dominant closer in Billy Wagner, to carry them into the next round. Mets in five.

NLCS PREDICTION:

St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets

In what would be a repeat of the 2000 NLCS, the Mets and Cardinals are a pretty even match. With only Tom Glavine and Chris Carpenter scaring you in either starting rotation, the series could come down to timely hitting and relief pitching. If the Mets could find a way to silence Pujols’ bat and play the small ball with Jose Reyes at the top of the order, then they have a chance to move on. But if manager Willie Randolph is only going to give pitchers John Maine and Oliver Perez five innings a piece, then the Mets’ bullpen, which would have been a strength, may suffer. Mets in seven.