Can the St. Louis Cardinals Actually Win the World Series?

Kyle Lohse? Jaime Garcia? Chris Carpenter? Edwin Jackson?

Could this really be the staff that wins the World Series?

David Freese? Ryan Theriot? Jon Jay? Yadier Molina?

Could these really be four of the starters for a World Series champion?

Sure, St. Louis took home the golden prize in 2006. But that was with Jeff Weaver, a healthy Adam Wainwright, and Jeff Suppan. This team of flying redbirds has Pujols and Lance Berkman as the offensive core with David Freese successfully supporting that, but will it be enough?

Everyone doubted the St. Louis Cardinals, and it wasn't just against the Phillies. There was doubt when the Cardinals were fighting in a neck-and-neck battle with the Braves, all throughout the NLDS against the Phillies, and now in the NLCS with the Brew Crew.

Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have steady bats that can knock any pitch into the seats at any time, and Rickie Weeks, Jerry Hairston Jr, and Nyjer Morgan can hit and field as well. That's why no one thinks the Cardinals will win.

If the Cardinals defeat the odds and take down the Brewers, then the Rangers or Tigers, two more teams with power hitters (these teams are so unlike the San Francisco Giants) and stellar pitching await. But the Rally Squirrels are capable.

The Cardinals have put up a total of 18 runs on Zack Grienke, Shaun Marcum, and the bullpen. Guys like Nick Punto have gotten involved. David Freese has been a monster in the past four games, hitting three homers and knocking in nine runs.

Philadelphia was planning ahead for the NLCS against the Comeback Snakes or the Brewers, and the Cardinals took the Game 1 lead. After Philadelphia took Game 1 and went up 4-0 in Game 2, St. Louis stole the spotlight.

Jon Jay and Albert Pujols led the Game 2 rally, David Freese powered the squirrel battery in Game 4, and Chris Carpenter's gem sealed Game 5. 

So maybe the Cardinals have been picked to lose a couple times. But the saying "Crying birds" applies no more. These birds can play.

That's why they're the Rally Squirrels.