Preview of the ALCS and NLCS

Regular season series: Giants won 4-3

Giants top hitters: Buster Posey (.311, 22 HR, 89 RBIs), Hunter Pence (.277, 20 HR, 74 RBIs), Pablo Sandoval (.279, 16 HR, 73 RBIs)

Cardinals top hitters: Matt Holliday (.272, 20 HR, 90 RBIs), Jhonny Peralta (.263, 21 HR, 75 RBIs), Matt Adams (.288, 15 HR, 68 RBIs)

Giants top pitchers: Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98 ERA, 219 K), Jake Peavy (w/SF:6-4, 2.17 ERA, 1.04 WHIP), Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57 ERA, 34 BB)

Cardinals top pitchers: Adam Wainwright (20-9, 2.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP), Lance Lynn (15-10, 2.74 ERA, 181 K), Shelby Miller (10-9, 3.74 ERA, 1.27 WHIP)

Analysis: These two organizations are mirror images of each other, and regardless of whether you root for them, you have to respect them. They each have excellent catchers, one ace pitcher, great farm systems and have made timely trades this season.

The X-factor in this series is the health and effectiveness of Wainwright. He gave up six runs and 11 hits in just 4 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers. There's been talk that he's pitching hurt. If he's 100%, it'll be difficult for the Giants to overcome him, even if they roll out their ace, Madison Bumgarner, to face him. The Cardinals have home-field advantage and a better bullpen, which makes them the favorite to move on to the World Series for the third time in five seasons.