INSIDE BASEBALL

NL DIVISION SERIES

vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Wednesday and Thursday

at Dodger Stadium

Oct. 10, 11* at Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Oct. 13* at Dodger Stadium

The Dodgers finally secured the NL West championship on Saturday night, and with it the home-field advantage that might prove critical in this series. The Dodgers have lost 14 of their past 17 games in St. Louis. The Cardinals have the most devastating duo in baseball, but Matt Holliday has one home run in his past 70 at-bats and Albert Pujols none in his past 70 at-bats. Ryan Franklin, the Cardinals’ closer, has blown three of his past four save opportunities, with a 6.14 ERA since Sept. 5. Chris Carpenter, who would face the Dodgers twice in a five-game series, has a 5-0 career record against them, with a 2.20 ERA.

-- Bill Shaikin

*if necessary