The Giants are in the National League Championship Series and the Dodgers are not.  It really is quite unbelievable that the Giants made it.  They haven’t had Matt Cain for much of the year.  Michael Morse and Angel Pagan who were supposed to make up two-thirds of the starting outfield are hurt.  So why are the Giants playing the Cardinals? 

Managing.  The Giants have won seven straight series plus a wild card game under Bruce Bochy.  He has used his bullpen well and puts players in the right frame of mind to succeed.  He has punched his ticket to Cooperstown with the likes of Torre, Cox, and LaRussa.  The Dodgers – who have the highest payroll in baseball, by $40 million – had no middle relief and it cost them.   It will be interesting to see who returns next season to Chavez Ravine.   

To get back to the World Series, the Giants will have to beat the best organization in baseball, the Cardinals.  On paper, they never should have beaten the Dodgers.  They do all of the little things right and have a great bullpen.  The Yankees are the only team with more titles than St. Louis.  But in my lifetime at least, I can’t remember the Cardinals ever being bad.  A .500 season is awful for them.  Every other team has had bad years.

Should be a great National League Championship series. 

While the National League winner will be a team that has been there very recently, the American League representative will be making its first appearance since the early to mid 80’s.  As kid in the 70’s, Baltimore and Kansas City were two of the four dominant teams in the American League.  Both have had a lot of lean years since.  All four towns will have electric atmospheres. 

I am hoping the magical ride in even year October keeps going.  October is a month for orange and black.  Two teams left wear those colors.