The Cardinals’ magical pitching tree must be here somewhere, growing in a corner of the park from which the Gateway Arch rises 630 graceful feet for a peek into nearby Busch Stadium. Instead, there is a system of amateur scouting and Minor League development that stresses not only velocity, but athleticism. It is not a set formula, according to Cards special assistant Gary LaRocque, but it is “part of the game plan” in projecting a pitcher’s future success.

Cardinals slugger Carlos Beltran and Red Sox scout Edgar Perez played Little League ball together in Puerto Rico, and they now share World Series dreams for the opposite side.

The fact that the setting of the World Series will be St. Louis for the next three games has to give the Cardinals a warm and fuzzy feeling after they evened the series at a game apiece. Right-hander Jake Peavy will start for the Red Sox against Cards righty Joe Kelly on Saturday.

If this were an Eastern philosophy, the whole concept would be seen as a path to enlightenment. But on the banks of the Mississippi River, in a border city, it turns out to be a path to the World Series. That may not open up the secret to existence, but it’s still really good.

Clay Buchholz went through his throwing program on Friday and seemed to get through it well enough to remain on schedule to start Game 4 on Sunday night at 8 ET on FOX.

With the Fall Classic shifting to St. Louis, Red Sox manager John Farrell will sit Mike Napoli in favor of David Ortiz with the loss of the designated hitter spot in Game 3. It’s not the first time Ortiz has had to dust off his first-base mitt in the World Series.

As the World Series shifts to Busch Stadium, playing from the comforts of their home ballpark presents more than just a friendly crowd and a familiar setting for the Cardinals. The change of venue also accompanies a change of rules, as the designated hitter vanishes in the National League park, forcing the Red Sox to move one of their better hitters — either Mike Napoli or David Ortiz — to the bench for Games 3, 4 and 5.

While prepared to turn to Adam Wainwright on short rest had the Cardinals been down three games to none in the World Series, manager Mike Matheny said on Friday that he plans to start Lance Lynn in Game 4 on Sunday.

With the Red Sox and Cardinals meeting for the fourth time in the Fall Classic this October, the 1967 World Series serves as a reminder of just how long this battle has been waged — through two very distinct eras before this second meeting in the new millennium.

The Nationals plan to name Matt Williams their sixth manager in team history, according to a source. The club, which according to a source has a news conference scheduled during the first week of November, did not confirm that Williams had been chosen as Washington’s next skipper.

The first two games of the World Series between the Cardinals and Red Sox have averaged 13.9 million viewers, a 13 percent increase over last year’s television ratings.

Cardinals rookie sensation Michael Wacha has been the story of the postseason so far this October, so it begs the question: Why did 18 teams pass on him in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft?

Five-time winner Yadier Molina, the entire Rays infield and six Orioles players, including Matt Wieters, J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones, are among the finalists for Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, announced Friday.

Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig took ground balls at first base Friday for the first time since spraining his left foot in early September, providing a sliver of hope that his duties could expand beyond pinch-hitting for Games 3-5 of the World Series at Busch Stadium.

Lance Lynn is a mere shadow of his former self, and that’s a good thing. Last offseason, the Cardinals right-hander decided to take control of his weight, and by extension, his game.

When the Fall Classic shifts to St. Louis for Game 3 on Saturday night, Jake Peavy will take the ball for the Red Sox. Clay Buchholz, who has been dealing with right shoulder fatigue, gets Game 4.

As expected, Ray Davis will take over for Nolan Ryan as the controlling owner of the Rangers, Commissioner Bud Selig confirmed Thursday.