Cardinals face elimination Tuesday afternoon against the Cubs in NLDS

The six homers for Chicago set a franchise record for a playoff game, one more than its total from Game 1 of the 1984 NLCS against San Diego. Jake Arrieta tossed a four-hit shutout in the win, with 11 strikeouts and no walks; it was the first complete-game shutout by a Cubs pitcher in the postseason since Claude Passeau in Game 3 of the 1945 World Series against Detroit.

The Cubs, who had not won a playoff series since beating Atlanta in the 2003 National League first round, next face either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers to determine a berth in the World Series.

Russell is 3 for 12 in four games in his first postseason.

In the other NL game Monday night, the Matt Harvey and the Mets ignored retaliating for Ruben Tejada’s fractured fibula on an emotional night, and Utley was not a factor in a 13-7 romp that put the Mets on the verge of reaching the NLCS.

And if you think it had been a long time since you’d seen any Cubs team hit six home runs in a game at Wrigley Field, you’re right – nine years, since September 17, 2006, and I include that for amusement value, since that team lost 96 games and this year’s model… well, they’re a lot better.

Chicago leads 2-1 in the best-of-series. Chicago blasted six home runs as a team, the most in postseason history. I don’t think about that at all.

In my review before the Postseason I pointed out that Soler should not miss any opportunity in the series and the Cuban has proved a huge stone in the road for St. Louis pitchers, unable thus far to get him out. Back in April, when the Cubs were still at least one year away from being able to compete for a title, if you had told even me that the Cubs would be in this spot I would have called you insane, and for good reason. Once again his effort proved key in Chicago’s 8-6 win over St. Louis.

Bryant’s two-run drive made it 4-2 with one out in the fifth and chased Wacha in favor of Kevin Siegrist.

Lackey gave up four runs and four hits over three innings after outpitching former teammate Lester in a dominant series opener. He was relieved by Travis Wood and from there Wood, Trevor Cahill, and Hector Rondon proceeded to shut down St. Louis’ bats.

“I felt good right out of the gate”, said Matz, who had been slowed at the end of the regular season by back spasms.

Even Adam Wainwright got into the act, serving up Soler’s two-run shot in the sixth. They are a small-market team that competes at the highest level due to a smart, forward-thinking front office and a supportive fanbase that loves to watch talented players win. But they’ll likely have to do it without Addison Russell, who is not in the lineup. When Russell left the game after getting banged up sliding into third on a triple, second year player Jazier Baez replaced him. The players that batted 1-6 in the Cubs order all went deep.