Mets vs. Cardinals
National League Championship Series
Mets
There was plenty of concern over the Mets starting rotation entering the playoffs, but a relentless offense and deep bullpen has proven again why the Mets were the best team in the NL all year. The Amazins' banged out 19 runs, and the bullpen pitched 13 1/3 innings, in a three game sweep of the Dodgers in the NLDS. The starters will be tested again vs. a solid Cardinal offense, but the Mets are playing great baseball right now and are poised to make it to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2000.
The below are final regular season stats
Cardinals

No team came into the playoffs with less momentum than the Cardinals. They dropped 10 of their last 14 regular season games, but despite the late season slide, were able to defeat the Padres in four games in the NLDS. Two reasons the Red Birds advanced were Chris Carpenter and Albert Pujols. Carpenter won both games he started and Pujols hit .333 while driving in three runs. The Cards will need more of the same if they are to advance to the World Series for the second time in three years.
The below are final regular season stats
New York Mets St. Louis Cardinals
Edge Even Edge
Carlos Delgado (AP) 1B Carlos Delgado .265, 38 HR, 114 RBI
Yet another scary hitter in a flurry of powerful bats

.331, 49 HR, 137 RBI
Another MVP caliber season for the best hitter on the planet

 Albert Pujols 1B Nomar Garciaparra (AP)
Anderson Hernandez (AP) 2B Jose Valentin

.271, 18 HR, 62 RBI
Surpassing stick to go along with an already solid glove

 .272, 13 HR, 67 RBI
Mid-season pick-up from Cleveland, hit .422 in NLDS		 Ronnie Belliard 2B Jeff Kent (AP)
Jose Reyes (AP) SS Jose Reyes .300, 19 HR, 81 RBI
Perhaps the most exciting player to watch in baseball		 .292, 2 HR, 23 RBI
Feisty leadoff hitter who plays stellar defense 		David Eckstein SS Rafael Furcal (AP)
David Wright (AP) 3B David Wright

.311, 26 HR, 116 RBI
Strong finish could build confidence for postseason

 .296, 22 HR, 95 RBI
Great defensively, but is too banged up this time of year		 Scott Rolen 3B Wilson Betemit (AP)
Paul LoDuca (AP) C Paul Lo Duca .318, 5 HR, 49 RBI
Veteran presence behind the plate could benefit ailing pitchers		 .216, 6 HR, 49 RBI
Molina vs. Reyes will be interesting game within a game		 Yadier Molina C Russell Martin (AP)
Carlos Beltran (AP) CF

Carlos Beltran

 .275, 41 HR, 116 RBI
Will be looked toward to provide the majority of the offensive punch

.257, 19 HR, 70 RBI
An injury plauged season, but getting healthy at the right time

 Jim Edmonds CF Kenny Lofton (AP)
Endy Chavez (AP) LF Endy Chavez .306, 4 HR, 42 RBI
Salvaged his season with more consistent play in the second half

.293, 22 HR, 43 RBI
Rookie outfielder can hit for both average and power

 Chris Duncan LF Andre Ethier (AP)
Shawn Green (AP) RF Shawn Green .277, 15 HR, 66 RBI
Playoff atmosphere could bring out the best in this veteran		 .278, 19 HR, 79 RBI
Veteran player with championship experience		 Juan Encarnacion RF J.D. Drew (AP)
Tom Glavine (AP) P Starting Pitchers

Tom Glavine
John Maine
Steve Trachsel
Oliver Perez

Jeff Weaver
Jeff Suppan
Chris Carpenter
Jason Marquis

 Starting Pitchers P Derek Lowe (AP)