Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw are considered to possess the game’s top curveballs, but their effectiveness only comes in relation to the rest of their repertoires.

Manager Don Mattingly is choosing to see the Dodgers’ postseason glass as half-full, noting their two losses had been closely contested and the Dodgers’ pitchers had worked well. They’ll try to find the key hits that have been eluding them in Monday’s Game 3 vs. Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright.

Hyun-Jin Ryu understands what’s at stake for the Dodgers as he prepares for his second start of the postseason. With the Dodgers trailing the Cardinals in the National League Division Series, 2-0, Ryu gets the ball Monday in a pivotal Game 3.

Allen Craig took another small step forward in his rehab process on Sunday, when he took batting practice during the Cardinals’ workout at Dodger Stadium.

After helping St. Louis stave off elimination in the National League Division Series, Michael Wacha pitched the Cardinals to a 2-0 advantage in the NLCS by silencing the Dodgers’ offense and outdueling arguably the game’s top pitcher. With Jon Jay’s sacrifice fly as his only support, Wacha delivered 6 2/3 scoreless innings to send the Cardinals to a 1-0 win in front of 46,872 at Busch Stadium.

Though the Dodgers created more than a single scoring chance in Game 2, nothing was as promising as what unfolded in the sixth, when a bases-loaded opportunity against Cardinals starter Michael Wacha ended with a pair of strikeouts.

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez had X-rays taken on his ribs during Game 2’s 1-0 loss to the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series on Saturday, and they came back negative, but he said he will undergo a CT scan on Sunday because of the pain he felt trying to swing a bat.

Adam Wainwright got a brief cup of coffee in the big leagues in 2005, and he was used in relief in ’06, finally moving into the closer’s role where he finished off the clinching game of the World Series. Wainwright moved into the rotation the following year and has been a mainstay ever since.

A lot of people may be surprised at what right-hander Michael Wacha has been able to accomplish over the last six weeks. None of them, though, reside in the Cardinals’ clubhouse.

Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell received the prestigious honor of singing the national anthem prior to Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night at Fenway Park because of her work following the tragic events at this year’s Boston Marathon.

While Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha was busy defeating the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS on Saturday, younger brother Lucas was taking part in his own athletic endeavor as a starting outside linebacker for the University of Wyoming, which defeated New Mexico, 38-31.

With the way the Cardinals are pitching in the clutch, they could be favored not only over the Dodgers, but over the 1927 New York Yankees.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny addresses the media after Game 2 of the NLCS.

Though Jake Peavy has pitched just once out of the bullpen in his career, he will have his spikes on for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series and be ready if needed on Saturday night.

During the last couple of months, as Mike Napoli has battled plantar fasciitis in his left foot, he has often come back strong after getting some rest.

The Tigers made their 25-man roster official Saturday morning for the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, with only one change, returning left-hander Phil Coke to the bullpen for right-hander Luke Putkonen.

Disbelief and skepticism lingered Saturday over Don Mattingly’s eighth-inning strategy in Friday night’s 3-2 loss in the National League Championship Series opener against St. Louis. But the Dodgers’ manager remained cool and composed.