Tony La Russa was asked if he’d ever had a better feeling going into the postseason than he did this year with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright starting the first two games:

“I’ve never had a better one,” the manager said. “I would definitely respectfully refrain from saying they’re the best just because we had (LaMarr) Hoyt one year (1983 White Sox) with (Richard) Dodson with 24 and 22, and obviously (Dave) Stewart was not just a great pitcher, he was a great postseason pitcher, as (Bob) Welch (for the A’s). Those two guys (Carpenter and Wainwright), they’re as good as anybody we’ve trotted out for two games, that’s for sure. And we figure we have a great chance when they pitch, and then you play the games.”

For the record, Hoyt and Dodson and the White Sox lost 3-1 in the ALCS to Baltimore in 1983, Hoyt won the opener but Dodson lost Game 3. Floyd Bannister started Game 2.