By AP/KWMu
St. Louis, MO – The Cardinals, who had the best record in baseball during the regular season, will open their playoff series against the Dodgers today (Tuesday) at Busch Stadium. Game time is 12:10.
The Cardinals and Dodgers are meeting in the National League Division Series; the first team to three wins moves on to the next round.
On Monday, hundreds of fans attended a team pep rally at the Gateway Arch.
Woody Williams will start for the Cardinals in Game 1. Only two months into the baseball season, he was so disgusted with his performance, he considered retiring. But Williams shook off his early woes and became the team's most consistent starter, finishing 11-8.
The Cardinals also will start Williams in Game Five on Monday, if necessary.
It's been 22 years since the St. Louis Cardinals last won the World Series. In all seven playoff appearances since the Cardinals won the World Series in 1982, injuries kept the club from having a full team in those short series.
This year, pitcher Chris Carpenter will miss at least the first round of the playoffs with nerve damage in his right biceps. More likely, he's out for the duration.