MLB Schedule 2011: Brewers' Road Woes Will Cost Them vs. Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have to be ecstatic with the way that things have worked out in the first two games of the National League Championship Series against Milwaukee. They split the games at Miller Park and have Chris Carpenter going in Game 3 on Wednesday.

The offense has been better than expected so far, with Albert Pujols leading the charge in Game 2. They have scored 18 runs through two games.

The Brewers were the best home team in baseball this season, with a 57-24 record, but were three games under .500 on the road (39-42). For the Cardinals, stealing a game in Milwaukee was huge for their confidence and gives them control of the series as they play the next three in St. Louis.

Carpenter takes the mound for the first time since his complete game shutout of Philadelphia in the National League Division Series.

The Brewers counter with their best pitcher, Yovani Gallardo. He has been the saving grace for their rotation this postseason.

In the 14 innings Gallardo has pitched in the playoffs he has allowed just two earned runs. The rest of the Brewers starters have given up 29 earned runs in 22.2 innings pitched.

As good as Gallardo has been, he has never had much success against the Cardinals. His ERA in 11 career starts against them is 5.66 and his record is just 1-7.

There are too many things working for the Cardinals in Game 3 to think that they won't take control of the series.

Carpenter is the second best pitcher remaining in the playoffs. He was dominant in a hostile environment in his last start, and the Brewers have been inconsistent throughout the playoffs.

The Brewers are in trouble after losing Game 2, and things will be even more dire when they lose their third-straight road game in these playoffs.

The Cardinals are in the driver's seat and they will be making plans in downtown St. Louis to celebrate the team's second National League pennant in six seasons.