NLCS NOTES

ST. LOUIS – The Astros or Cardinals don’t seem too perturbed with the lack of attention their NLCS is getting compared to the ALCS. Both series were played at the same time last night with the Yankee-Red Sox game being broadcast to three-quarters of the country.

“This is going to be a good series, too,” Astros manager Phil Garner said. “There’s going to be a lot of people tuned into the Yankees and they’re going to see what scores are coming from this series. They’re going to hear what’s going on and there’s going to be a lot of people start watching our series.

“We have great hitting on both sides; the possibility of good pitching from both sides. There’s going to be some terrific defensive plays. We have the ingredients here on both sides of the diamond for a lot of good play, a lot of interesting play.”

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Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa chuckled at the second-guessing managers face in the postseason, especially when it comes to using their closers more than in the traditional ninth inning.

“I’ve watched every game and there isn’t one move any manager made with a closer that if I was there I wouldn’t have made the same one,” LaRussa said. “It’s the time of year. You’re allowed to push players and pitchers that you’ve saved or taken care of all year long because it’s postseason. It can potentially be a swing game.”

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Matt Morris, the Cardinals’ starting pitcher in Game 2 tonight, defended the group hug the Cardinals and Dodgers shared at the end of their NLDS series, and said he’d be willing to do the same at the end of the NLCS.

“We’re willing,” he said. “We should all be congratulated for a great season, win or lose, both teams.”

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Pete Munro began the year in the Twins organization at Triple-A Rochester. Tonight, he’ll be the Astros’ starter. He admits he’s nervous.

“I’m nervous in any type of game atmosphere,” he said. “I believe that’s normal. If you don’t [get nervous], there’s something wrong with you.”