As the Champagne and Bud Light began to flow in the Cardinals' clubhouse after Saturday night's National League division series-clinching victory against the Padres, Mark Mulder had the presence of mind to caution teammates sloshing around the drenched clubhouse.
"Watch out," Mulder said to no one in particular as he dodged flying corks. "Don't hurt your ribs."
Or your legs. Or your arms. Or anything else, for that matter.
The Cardinals are flying so high now that only a major injury seems capable of derailing their World Series aspirations.
In sweeping the Padres -- closing them out, 7-4 -- they looked every part the superior team that had dominated for five months before going on cruise control in September. They summoned the potent lineup, the starting pitching, the defense and the heady base running that had made them so formidable.
Although manager Tony La Russa would probably not concur, the Cardinals are better equipped heading into the next round, and possibly beyond, than they were in 2004, when they were swept by the Red Sox in the World Series.
This Cardinals batting order contains a pleasant balance between sluggers and small ballers, and the two seem to have no problems switching roles. In Game 2, Albert Pujols executed a hit-and-run single. In Game 3, the do-everything leadoff hitter David Eckstein hit a two-run homer.
The Cardinals' starting pitchers have been excellent. Chris Carpenter, Mulder and Matt Morris stifled the Padres, allowing three earned runs in 18 2/3 innings, a 1.44 earned run average, and now have time to rest.
Despite the impressive sweep, what exactly have the Cardinals proved so far -- that they can vanquish a mediocre opponent? Depends on whom you ask.
Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said: "I think it shows the character of this team. The last few weeks, people were getting on us about the motivation, the concentration, our guys on the mound and in the bullpen. You can go on and on. It was a situation where we weren't playing our best ball the last few weeks."
Left fielder Reggie Sanders said: "Who knows? For us it's all about staying fundamentally sound. Pitching. Defense. Getting timely hitting. We can't get too far ahead of ourselves and say, `Oh yeah, we're supposed to get all the way to the World Series.'"
Carpenter said: "Nothing yet. We've proved that we can win the first series. Now it's time to move onto the next one."
The next one will come against a familiar foe, the Astros, who defeated Atlanta, 7-6, after 18 innings on Sunday to set up a rematch of last season's NL Championship Series.
Houston's starting pitching, headlined by Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt, is the best around.
But La Russa will have a healthy Carpenter at his disposal this time. Carpenter, who missed last season's playoffs with a nerve injury in his arm, is scheduled to pitch Game 1 of the NLCS.
The off-season acquisition of Mulder, traded from Oakland, added a talented left-hander.
It also bumped Morris, who struggled as a No. 2 starter last postseason, to No. 3, creating a better matchup. Jeff Suppan or Jason Marquis will slip into the No. 4 slot.
"I just separate the two years," La Russa said.
"I mean, this year having a healthy Chris is very important. You know, Mark's a real force out there. It's two years in a row we've had five starters strong, and that's why we've gotten into the 100 wins."
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