Week ahead for Dodgers

Monday through Wednesday: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Friday through Sunday: vs. Angels

The Dodgers play the Cardinals for the first time since St. Louis rolled into town last fall, poised to strut into the National League championship series behind aces Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. The Dodgers swept the series, beating Carpenter in Game 1 and outlasting Wainwright in Game 2 before Matt Holliday dropped the fly ball that ignited a two-out, ninth-inning rally. The St. Louis fans did not turn on Holliday, the Cardinals’ prize midseason pickup, when the series returned to Busch Stadium. The St. Louis ownership did not turn on Holliday, either, signing him to a new contract for $120 million, the richest deal for any free agent last winter. Holliday is batting .318 through Friday, on pace for 18 home runs, which would be his lowest total since his rookie season. He hasn’t dropped any fly balls, though.

— Bill Shaikin

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