OC Dooley:

"1 UNIT" BASEBALL PERCENTAGE SIDE (Cardinals -110 at Dodgers in a 6:07 eastern start on TBS-TV-----------Wainwright versus Kershaw): Even though Los Angeles had the best overall regular season record in the National League, we have the Dodgers cast as a home underdog for a second consecutive day. The reason is because St. Louis arguably had baseball's best starting "1-2" punch in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. It was back in 2006 as a 25-year old rookie when Wainwright burst onto the national stage as the closer for a team that ended up a World Series Champion. Despite his young age, Wainwright certainly is used to pitching in pressure situations and late today is another spot where the Cardinals desperately need baseball's winningest 2009 hurler (19) to step up his game. It would come as no personal shock if Wainwright ended up as the National League Cy Young Award winner as his ERA (2.63) and overall win total were outstanding. It did come as a personal shock when Los Angeles won the opener of this best-of-five set last night even though journeyman Randy Wolf was on the mound. I will admit that the Dodgers have a very impressive 21-year old Clayton Kershaw on the mound this evening, but as is the case with very young pitchers he has been known to implode. Kershaw is a strikeout pitcher and he recorded 7 K's in his first run through the order last time on the mound back on Saturday. But with Kershaw missing 3 weeks of action in September due to injury, odds are the Dodgers will limit his innings tonight. As mentioned earlier it was back in 2006 when St. Louis ended up winning the World Series. According to manager Tony LaRussa, this year's Cardinals contingent is HEALTHIER so one would think they still have a shot to make some noise in this Divisional series. Certainly the odds are in our favor as Adam Wainwright is UNDEFEATED this season (9-0)with money line between +125/-125 which is the case. Wainwight also is UNDEFEATED for the season on the ROAD (7-0) when facing opponents with a winning record!