NLCS preview: Series to be decided in Game 7

• The Cardinals have the second-most prolific offense averaged 6.4 runs a game
• Giants manager Bochy is quiet about Tim Lincecum's role in the NLCS
• The staff aces go head-to-head in Game 3 -- Cain vs. Lohse

The Case for the Cardinals:

The National League's second-most prolific offense averaged 6.4 runs a game against the majors' second-best pitching staff in the Division Series, capped by Friday's stunning four-run rally in the ninth inning. Think they might be feeling confident? The Cardinals also bring a sense of never being out of a game -- both because of their potent offense and their experience in these affairs -- that's invaluable in the playoffs. The Cardinals tied with the Detroit Tigers for the worst record among the playoff participants at 88-74 but confirmed last season that it's the hot team, not necessarily the best one, that takes home the trophy. Coming off Friday's win, St. Louis is scorching.

The Case for the Giants:

The Giants are feeling pretty good about themselves as well, having pulled off the unprecedented feat of winning three consecutive road games in a best-of-five series after dropping the first two at home. San Francisco found a secret weapon in Tim Lincecum out of the bullpen in the Division Series, and manager Bruce Bochy is keeping his role quiet, declining to name a Game 4 starter. The Giants offense, which averaged the second-most runs in the NL after the All-Star break, came alive in the last two games of the Division Series and could do some damage against a Cardinals staff that lost lefty Jaime Garcia and got only one start of at least six innings in the NLDS.

The Swing Game:

Game 3. The staff aces go head-to-head as All-Star Game starter Matt Cain opposes fellow 16-game winner Kyle Lohse, who held the Washington Nationals to two hits and one run in seven innings during his Game 4 start in the NLDS. This will be the Cardinals' first game at home in eight days, and their fans may get plenty to cheer. Cain, who was less than stellar in the Division Series, gave up 16 hits and nine runs in 11 2/3 innings in two starts against St. Louis this season and has an 8.27 ERA in three career starts at the current Busch Stadium. Lohse will be facing the Giants for the first time in 2012.

Player to watch:

Carlos Beltran. A Giant for two months after a late-July trade in 2011, Beltran was not much help in their efforts to return to the playoffs but has quite a postseason resume. For those who have forgotten his eight-homer barrage in the 2004 playoffs with the Houston Astros, Beltran provided a reminder by batting .444 with a 1.486 OPS against the Nationals, boosting his career postseason OPS to a mind-blowing 1.306. He also launched the winning rally with a ninth-inning double. The Giants better hope they found some weaknesses during his San Francisco spell.

The Bullpen Matchup:

Brian Wilson saved six of the Giants' 11 wins in the 2010 postseason, including all three clinchers, but he has missed most of the year following Tommy John elbow surgery. That has left San Francisco with a finesse bullpen headed by Sergio Romo, with Javier Lopez as the top late option vs. lefties. They can still do the job, but they don't overpower hitters like the St. Louis relievers. Fireballers of Trevor Rosenthal, Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte were a major reason why the Cardinals felt they could contain the Nationals and come back against them Friday. They figure to play a key role against San Francisco as well.

The Verdict:

Giants in seven. Besides having the homefield advantage, San Francisco got an extra day off because it completed its Division Series on Thursday, allowing No. 2 starter Madison Bumgarner to take the mound for the opener on six days' rest. Garcia's injury has forced the Cardinals to pull Lance Lynn from the bullpen and start him in Games 1 and probably 5, if needed. Lynn yielded just a .624 OPS to right-handed batters, but lefties hit him to the tune of an .841 mark. San Francisco fields a regular lineup with five left-handed batters in switch-hitters Angel Pagan and Pablo Sandoval, as well as Brandon Belt, Gregor Blanco and Brandon Crawford.