The Giants split in St. Louis and now return home. That means a lot because San Francisco is 6-1 in its last seven home playoff games, while the Cardinals are 4-9 in their last 13 road postseason games.

The Cardinals are unlikely to have six-time All-Start catcher Yadier Molina, who strained his left oblique during Game 2. Molina is the most valuable player on the Cardinals both for his great defense, leadership and offense.

Cardinals starter John Lackey is an experienced big-game pitcher, but so is Tim Hudson, who is back on track after extended rest to fix his troublesome hip that affected his effectiveness during the latter part of the season. Hudson will be pitching on nine days rest.

Hudson held Washington to one run on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings in the NL Divisional Series during his last outing.