Bernie Miklasz: Good afternoon from the Press Box at Dodger Stadium. Sorry for the late start, but we had a late and long evening last night in covering Game 1. Not a well played game by either side. The teams combined to leave 30 runners on base, the most in a nine-inning MLB postseason game since 1903. The Cardinals have to win Game 2. Chris Carpenter wasn't himself, and now we'll see if Adam Wainwright has the right stuff.

Redfeather: Hi Bernie;

Kershaw could be dominating against the Cardinal bats, especially since we continue to be inconsistent putting hits together. The shadows should only elevate each pitchers game. How do you see this game going into it? How do you think the Cards should go about there at bats against Kershaw? Do you know of the game plan for him?

Thanks Bernie!

Bernie Miklasz: Kershaw is a special talent. In his last 18 starts his ERA is 1.77. He doesn't often pitch deep into games because efficiency is an issue. His walk rate of 4.79 per nine innings ranks 45th among NL starters. I think we can expect the Cardinals to take a lot of pitches, hope that Kershaw is on the wild side with the walks, and deliver some money hits (unlike Game 1) when they have runners in scoring position. But if the Cardinals go up there hacking at everything, they're in trouble.

Redfeather: You had a lot to say in your column today about the Cardinals performance last night. One subject was the Cardinal bench strength or lack thereof that inhibits TLR from making key situational moves. Why would the Cardinals elect to carry so many pitchers unless they thought the bullpen is so weak that an extra body was required? The glaring holes in the bullpen seem to dictate they carry more arms than bats. I just think that TLR and his staff thought they did not have a choice in the matter. Do you agree with that assessment?

Thanks Bernie!

Bernie Miklasz: The assessment is that TLR had no faith in K. Greene and would rather have a 12th pitcher than K. Greene on the roster. Yes, it is that simple. I don't think K. Greene is much of a hitter, but all it takes is one swing, and he delivered a key PH homer against Washington in late August. This is a weak bench, overmatched by those outstanding LA relievers. Which is why it is imperative for the Cardinals to take a lead into the middle-late innings. They don't want to be playing comeback baseball against the LA pen.

Tizzle: Bernie,

Question... Although I don't want this to come true at the expense of the Cardinals great season being a wasted effort but should Matt Holliday just look awful the entire postseason, does it give St Louis an even better chance of getting the 'hometown discount' or did he do enough in the regular season to where it wouldn't matter?

Also, Carp goes game 4 at home right? He only went 5 innings, allbeit 105 pitches, it seems like redemption would be a huge factor for Carp. Not that he has anything to prove to us, but he's a gamer, just curious. (And yes, I know we have to get to a game 4 first but just curious)

Bernie Miklasz: No matter what he does this series or postseason, Holliday will draw significant FA interest from the Red Sox, Angels, Yankees, Giants and perhaps others. He's playing on house money. His agent, Boras, doesn't do discounts.

Tone-Dog: When will RicK AnKiel ever go away? What does Tony see with this guy that I obviously cannot?

Bernie Miklasz: The Rick is a FA after the season. We'll see how much interest he draws; Scott Boras acts as if there's going to be a line of teams waiting to bid. I find that hard to believe. But the sad thing is, he's the best PH the Cardinals have. Batted .273 with 2 HRs as a PH this season. Is that a reflection on the bench strength, or what?