San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Keys for Each Team to Win the NLCS

When it comes to recent postseason pedigree, it doesn't get any more prestigious than the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. 

For the fifth year in a row, one of those clubs will be representing the National League in the World Series. Now, the only question left is just which team will it be. The answer could come down to how healthy Adam Wainwright's right elbow really is or whether an unheralded Giant steps up once again when it matters most.

The Schedule

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Game 1: Saturday, October 11 at 8:07 p.m. ET @ Busch Stadium

Game 2: Sunday, October 12 at 8:07 p.m. ET @ Busch Stadium

Game 3: Tuesday, October 14 at 4:07 p.m. ET @ AT&T Park

Game 4: Wednesday, October 15 at 8:07 p.m. ET @ AT&T Park

Game 5: Thursday, October 16 at 8:07 p.m. ET @ AT&T Park 

Game 6: Saturday, October 18 at 4:07 p.m. ET @ Busch Stadium

Game 7: Sunday, October 19 at 7:37p.m. ET @ Busch Stadium

Key No. 1 for the Cardinals: The Health of Adam Wainwright's Elbow

Adam Wainwright claims that his right elbow is good to go. 

"It's fine... The problem I have is being way overblown. I'll be fine to pitch like I always do," explained the starter, via Buster Olney of ESPN. 

Even with those assurances, it's not unreasonable to question just how healthy the ace really is. The right-hander has been dealing with tendonitis in his pitching elbow and was torched for six runs on 11 hits in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cardinals will need Wainwright to be as close to 100 percent as possible because the 20-game winner has the potential to shut down San Francisco's offense in Games 1 and 5 of the series. There's also the consideration that if Wainwright is limited to a brief outing in the opener, the team's pitching plans for the rest of the series will be thrown into disarray.

Key No. 1 for the Giants: Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong Continue to Deal

Rob Carr/Getty Images

The crazy part about the San Francisco Giants cruising past the top-seeded Washington Nationals in four games in the NLDS is that the club did it without even winning the start of its resident ace Madison Bumgarner. 

That credit there goes to Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong. In 13 innings of NLDS action, the veteran right-handers allowed just two runs. That's incredible considering neither starter was sharp to close out the regular season. Hudson was particularly shaky, posting a 1-5 mark with a 5.94 ERA in his final 10 starts. 

With Bumgarner and Jake Peavy excelling, the Cardinals will be in serious trouble if Hudson and Vogelsong repeat their division-series performances.

Key No. 2 for the Cardinals: Matt Carpenter Tees off Again

With a .272 average and just eight home runs, Matt Carpenter didn't have a memorable 2014 regular season. 

Then October arrived, and the third baseman went off. 

As the Cardinals rolled past the Dodgers in four games, Carpenter hit .385 with three doubles and three home runs to post a video-game-like 1.125 slugging percentage. In Game 1 of the series, the left-hander hitter collected four RBI, including launching a Clayton Kershaw pitch into orbit in the sixth inning. 

As manager Mike Matheny explained, per Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com, Carpenter's success begins with his mental preparation. 

"I think it's just a consistent approach and the intensity he takes into every at-bat. Righty, lefty [pitcher], it doesn't matter, and knowing what pitches he's preparing himself for."

Carpenter is intense yet composed. It's remarkable how calm the 28-year-old looked in the batter's box before taking a two-by-four to Kershaw's offering, as you can see in the MLB.com video above.

That approach will be especially important when Carpenter squares off against San Francisco's southpaw Madison Bumgarner. After dismantling Kershaw in the division series, there's no reason why Carpenter can't take apart yet another top lefty.

Key No. 2 for the Giants: Find Another Unsung Hero

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

One of the hallmarks of the Giants' run of success dating back to 2010 has been the consistent emergence of out-of-left-field heroes. Without the contributions of unlikely stars such as Cody Ross and Barry Zito, the club simply wouldn't have won two out of the last four World Series trophies. 

As Hunter Pence put it, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants just have "champion blood." If the Giants are going to earn yet another trip to the Fall Classic, a role player is going to have to step up at a big moment. Some of this year's leading contenders are Gregor Blanco and Travis Ishikawa. Plus, the forgotten two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum can't be ruled out either.

Key to the Series: Don't Make the Big Mistake

The Cardinals and the Giants are about as evenly matched as it gets. 

Both teams have strong rotations headlined by a big-time ace. Each club has a talented bullpen and plays airtight defense. Neither squad has a particularly high-powered offense, but each somehow always finds ways to scratch out runs. 

The difference in this series is likely to be a single mistake. 

In the NLDS, Madison Bumgarner threw away Game 3 with an ill-advised and errant throw to third base. In their first-round matchup with the Dodgers, the Cardinals played error-free baseball. 

Whether it's a picked-off baserunner late in the game or an uncharacteristic defensive miscue, a single blunder will turn the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and send one team on to the World Series and one team home. 

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.