NLCS Schedule 2012: When and Where to Watch Race for the Pennant

The San Francisco Giants claimed half of the final pairing for the NLCS by rallying from an 0-2 deficit against the Cincinnati Reds. The dates for their next series were set, but times and locations were contingent on Friday's NLDS finale between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Nationals were hoping to follow the Giants' effort and rally from a 1-2 hole against the Cardinals but came up one out short. St. Louis' two-out, four-run rally in the ninth usurped Jason Werth's ninth-inning walk-off home run in Game 4.

The win by the Cardinals means the Giants will stay home for Game 1. 

NLCS Schedule

NLCS	Day	Time	Teams	TV
GAME 1	Sunday, Oct. 14	8:00 p.m. ET	St. Louis at San Francisco	Fox
GAME 2	Monday, Oct. 15	8:00 p.m.	St. Louis at San Francisco	Fox
GAME 3	Wednesday, Oct. 17	4:00 p.m.	San Francisco at St. Louis	Fox
GAME 4	Thursday, Oct. 18	8:00 p.m.	San Francisco at St. Louis	Fox
GAME 5	*Friday, Oct. 19	8:00 p.m.	San Francisco at St. Louis	Fox
GAME 6	*Sunday, Oct. 21	4:30 p.m.	St. Louis at San Francisco	Fox
GAME 7	*Monday, Oct. 22	8:00 p.m.	St. Louis at San Francisco	Fox

*If Necessary

Pitching Rotation

The Giants missed the playoffs in 2011 after beating the Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series. They have the advantage of an extra off-day to set their lineup for the NLCS.

Matt Cain pitched the first and fifth games of the Giants' NLDS. He could have started as early as Game 2 but the Giants will save him for Game 3 on Wednesday.

St. Louis has only announced their Game 1 starter at this point. They will send Lance Lynn against Madison Bumgarner. The Giants then send Ryan Vogelsong to the mound on Monday.

Barry Zito followed Cain in their NLDS rotation but the team may be looking at a three-man rotation for the duration. 

Bleacher Report will keep you updated with the previews, times, pitching matchups and more as soon as they are available.