NLCS Preview: Astros-Cardinals

The National League Championship Series between the Astros and Cardinals may not have the enmity of its American League counterpart.

But the week is still young. Give it a chance.

After more than a decade of vying for the same Central division title -- only twice since division play began has one of these teams not won the Central -- after 18 games this season (the Astros won 10 of them), the rivalry between the wild-card Astros and the Central champion Cardinals is about to be turned up a notch. Beginning Wednesday, they meet in the NLCS for the first time.

There are no secrets here anymore. Everyone knows the Astros made it this far -- past the first round for the first time -- on the strength of their veteran lineup and the arms of Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt . Everyone knows the Cardinals have the best lineup in the NL, an Gold Glove-studded defense and a capable pitching staff.

More than that, though, every pitcher on each side knows every hitter. The hitters have seen the pitchers many times over. There's no need for a scouting report.

Craig Biggio has a healthy 74 at-bats against the Cardinals this year (he's hitting .311). Clemens and Oswalt are 4-0 with a 2.31 ERA in seven starts against St. Louis . The Cardinals' Albert Pujols has five homers against the Astros (and a .371 average).

Jeff Kent has killed the Cardinals (.366 with three homers), and Lance Berkman has buried them (.333 with three homers and 19 RBIs in the 18 games). The Cardinals ' Jim Edmonds is hitting only .190 against the Astros , but he has three homers and 14 RBIs.

The Astros haven't scored on lefty relievers Ray King and Steve Kline in nine innings of work.

It's all way too familiar for everybody involved. And if that familiarity hasn't quite risen to the level of contempt yet, well, it's not for lack of effort.

And the good news is, we still have the possibility of seven games to get it there.