Cardinals vs. Brewers: Superior Bullpen Will Lead Milwaukee by St. Louis in NLCS

After digging out of a hole with a six-run fifth inning, the Milwaukee Brewers were able to shut down the St. Louis Cardinals and secure a victory in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Milwaukee's bullpen, which pitched three scoreless innings, will be a major reason it advances to the World Series, ending St. Louis' remarkable run in the process.

Takashi Saito allowed an inherited runner to score after relieving Zack Greinke (who was ineffective for the second straight start), but quickly secured a double play and limited the damage. Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford both struck out two batters to finish the job.

The shutdown finish was no surprise to diehard supporters of the Brewers. Milwaukee's bullpen ranked sixth in ERA and third in SIERA (an ERA estimator), while the Cardinals group ranked 17th and eighth, respectively.

That differential represents one of the biggest advantages Milwaukee has against St. Louis. Defense is the other one.

When a team is able to effectively shorten a game to six innings because of a strong bullpen, it takes a boatload of pressure off the starting rotation. The Brewers have a very solid rotation too, so it's not a surprise they have reached this point.

You combine a potent pitching staff with the lineup dynamic duo Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder in the middle of the lineup (both hit home runs in Game 1), and you get a headache trying to figure out how to beat Milwaukee four times out of seven.

St. Louis has another uphill battle on its hands, but that's nothing new. They pulled off a shocking comeback in the wild card race to overcome the Atlanta Braves and beat a vaunted Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff that many considered unbeatable in a short series.

The Cardinals have relished the underdog role and they'll be able to undertake it again after losing the first game against Milwaukee.

That attitude can only carry a team as far as the opposition will allow, though. And with Milwaukee's strong group of starters, solid lineup and, of course, that awesome bullpen, the Brewers will find a way to advance in six games.