Cardinals vs. Giants: 5 Biggest Matchups in Game 7 of NLCS

Whether it's in a game or in a series, no lead is safe in the MLB playoffs.

It's a lesson that's been taught to us by America's pastime over and over again, yet we become giddy like preteens on Christmas morning when a comeback is mounted, especially when it's in a playoff series.

Hello, Game 7...again.

In a rematch of Game 3 of the NLCS—a game that the Cardinals took by a score of 3-1—Kyle Lohse will oppose the Giants' Matt Cain for the right to continue playing baseball in 2012.

Let's take a look at five key matchups that could ultimately determine which team moves on to face the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.

Buster Posey vs. Cardinals Pitching

The favorite to win the National League MVP Award has been anything but MVP-like in the NLCS.

Buster Posey has a .136 batting average and .346 OPS over the first six games of the series, managing only three singles and an RBI in 22 at-bats.

Posey's best game of the series came in Game 3 when Kyle Lohse started for the Cardinals, going 1-for-2 with two walks.

While the Giants have shown the ability to win games without Posey contributing to the offense, production from a mainstay in the middle of their lineup would certainly make winning Game 7 a lot easier.

Cardinals vs. Themselves

Errors are part of the game, and the NLCS hasn't lacked for defensive miscues. At least one error has been committed by either team over the first six games of the series.

Those errors have proved to be far more costly for St. Louis than San Francisco, as Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times notes:

"

#STLCards: 10 unearned runs is new NLCS record. Postseason record: 13 by 1986 #Angels in ALCS loss to #RedSox.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 22, 2012"

That's not a record that you want your name associated with. Allowing the Giants to continue to capitalize on their mistakes is a surefire way for the Cardinals to be heading home after Game 7.

Matt Cain vs. Matt Cain

For Matt Cain, there's really no place like home.

Cain made 15 regular-season starts at AT&T Park, recording an ERA of 2.03, a 0.90 WHIP and 5.32 strikeouts for every walk he issued over 110 innings of work. He also had a perfect game against the Houston Astros on June 13.

Overall, he posted a 2.79 ERA on the regular season, nearly two runs less than his postseason mark of 4.67. Cain has allowed three earned runs in each of his three postseason starts. He allowed over two earned runs once in his last 10 starts of the regular season.

While Cain was the losing pitcher in Game 3 of the NLCS, it was also his best postseason start. He allowed three earned runs and six hits over 6.2 innings of work, walking one and striking out two.

Pitching on regular rest, Cain will need to get back to what made him so successful at home if the Giants have a chance of finishing off their remarkable comeback.

Matt Holliday vs. Pain

Cardinals All-Star left fielder Matt Holliday wasn't able to play in Game 6 of the NLCS due to a bad back. According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, things don't look good for his chances in Game 7 (h/t MLB.com):

"

Cardinals source not for attribution "highly doubtful Holliday will be able to play tomorrow .....lots of pain... really unfortunate"

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) October 22, 2012"

While Holliday has struggled mightily in the NLCS, picking up only four singles in 21 at-bats, he was the only member of the Cardinals lineup to drive in more than 100 runs during the regular season.

Matt Carpenter can fill in capably, but inserting him into the starting lineup takes a valuable weapon off of the bench for Cardinals manager Mike Matheny.

Experience vs. Momentum

The last time the St. Louis Cardinals played in a Game 7, they hoisted the World Series trophy above their heads.

With the exception of Matt Carpenter (who would fill in for Matt Holliday if he's unable to play), everyone in the Cardinals starting lineup has played in a Game 7 before.

The Giants can't say the same thing, as none of their starters have any Game 7 experience. That's not to say that they haven't had their backs up against the wall before:

"

According to Elias, the @sfgiants are the third team in @mlb history to win at least five straight games when facing elimination.

— MLB (@MLB) October 22, 2012"

Game 7 is a different beast altogether, but the Giants have one thing going for them that the Cardinals don't—momentum:

"

The @sfgiants are trying to become just the third team in #NLCS history to rally from a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the #WorldSeries.

— MLB (@MLB) October 22, 2012"

What's going to win out?

There's only one way to find out.

Stick with B/R before, during and after Game 7 of the NLCS for the latest news, analysis and updates.