Once again, the Giants and Cardinals will square off with a National League title on the line. They’ve met three times before, and their fourth meeting will make the matchup the third-most played NL Championship Series in history. Believe it or not, only Pirates-Reds and Phillies-Dodgers have been played more frequently. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the two clubs, who have combined to win each of the last four NL pennants.

Tommy Lasorda, a Hall of Fame manager and one of the great ambassadors of baseball, is one of three recipients of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, established in 2013, to honor men who possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving the United States in a manner Feller displayed. Lasorda joins Indians first baseman Nick Swisher and Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson of the U.S. Navy.

The Cardinals and Giants, who have met three times in the National League Championship Series, will open this year’s matchup in St. Louis on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 p.m. CT on FOX at Busch Stadium. With the best-of-seven series on the horizon, here is a look at three keys for the Cards as they look to represent the NL in the World Series yet again.

Sandy Alomar Jr. has one year remaining on his contract with Cleveland, but is interested in seeing what might come of his latest chance at becoming a Major League manager. Alomar interviewed with the D-backs on Monday for their managerial vacancy and was pleased with how the day went from his side of the table.

The 1983 Orioles squad was led by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., who now works as an analyst for TBS. But what became of the rest of Baltimore’s last World Series championship squad? We’re glad you asked.

Wednesday’s meeting between Mesa and Glendale at Cubs Park was postponed due to rain, marking the first rainout in the Arizona Fall League since 2011.

For the first time since 1997, the Orioles are one of the last four teams still standing, and the image of Baltimore back in the American League Championship Series understandably brings up memories of the O’s storied baseball past.

With the Giants and Cardinals set to meet in the National League Championship Series, the NL will be represented in the World Series by one of these clubs for the fifth straight year. The action will get under way on Saturday in Game 1, when St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright gets the call on full rest, taking the hill at Busch Stadium at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. San Francisco has yet to announce its starting pitcher.

Royals Hall of Famer George Brett gives his take on the Royals before the start of the American League Championshp Series.

Jeff Bridich, who has spent 10 seasons in the Rockies’ front office, has been promoted to general manager. GM Dan O’Dowd and VP of Major League operations Bill Geivett have resigned.

Manager Ned Yost is getting the idea that large segments of the country are adopting his Royals as the darlings of the postseason. Definitely not in the Baltimore area, of course, but blue fever seems to be spreading.

We started on Thursday with 51 participants, and now we’re down to 12 as we head into the Championship Series for each league

The 1985 Royals squad was led by all-time Royals great and Hall of Famer George Brett, who remains with the club as vice president of baseball operations. But there were many other stellar players — and some key role players, too — on that team. You may be asking, where are those guys now?

Whether it’s the Giants or the Cardinals who prevail in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series, which starts at Busch Stadium on Saturday (7 p.m. CT, FOX), it will be that franchise’s chance to capture a third World Series title since 2000. No other NL team outside of this pair even has two.

If this was 1982 or ’83, it would have made perfect sense for the Royals to meet the Orioles in the American League Championship Series. That they’re back again is only part of why the ALCS should be so much fun.

The Cardinals and Giants advanced to the National League Championship Series with 3-2 wins on Tuesday. There have been 10 one-run games through the NLDS this year — four more than a year ago, and two more than in 2012.

We pause now to appreciate what we have just seen in this postseason. Has there been a better nine days of baseball? And now we welcome the Orioles and Royals back to the American League Championship Series, and catch up once more with our old friends, the Giants and Cardinals, for the National League Championship Series.