HOUSTON - Want to know why the Cardinals have a two games to none lead in the series? Clutch hitting.
St. Louis has scored 11 of 16 runs in the NLCS with two outs, and 27 of 38 in the playoffs.
"I don't know," Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols said. "I just think you have some great veteran guys on the team; guys who have been in the World Series before. They've been in these situations. They did it all year long. It's carrying over to the playoffs."
"If you get them, it's a great way to generate some momentum and take some away from the other club," manager Tony La Russa said. "I don't think you can take anything away from those guys."
Trying to take that edge away in Games 3 and 4 will be Astros aces Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt, a combined 38-14.
"We've counted on them all year," manager Phil Garner said. "We're going to count on them right now. They're our two horses."
"I'll have to make good pitches," Clemens said. "I hope my body responds the way I want to, so when I need a pitch with a certain velocity that I'll be able to do that."
Oswalt said Houston's precarious position does not put added pressure on either pitcher.
"We were down seven games at the All-Star break," Oswalt said. "We've been playing every game like it's the playoffs since September. No one is panicking. You play or you go home. That's the attitude everybody has to have."
ESPECIALLY THE BULLPEN: Houston relievers have allowed nine earned runs in 62/3 innings and are 0-2 with a 12.14 ERA.
"Thank goodness this wasn't a two-game series," Garner said. "We're not really where we want to be, but we'll get it worked out. They'll come through for us."
Game 2 was especially frustrating. Chad Harville gave up a two-run home run to Scott Rolen in the fifth inning to blow a 3-2 lead. Dan Miceli allowed consecutive solo home runs to Pujols and Rolen in the eighth to blow a 4-4 tie.
"It's unfortunate. It's come at the worst time," said Dan Wheeler, Houston's lone success story who has pitched four scoreless innings and allowed four hits with six strikeouts. "I believe every time we go out there, whoever goes out there, is going to put up a zero. We've got some great arms out there. It's unfortunate it's happened like this."
TAKING THE TEMPERATURE: The Astros said their throats are not tightening. "Our attitude is good," Garner said. "Our attitude is one of confidence. Our attitude is one of belief. (The Cardinals) are a pretty doggone good ballclub but our guys feel like we're every bit as good. We haven't shown that yet but we feel we can."
Maybe during the next three games at Minute Maid Park, where Houston has won 19 of 20.
"We've been dealing with pressure all year," Oswalt said. "There's no reason to say we can't win three out of three."
ODDS AND ENDS: Several Astros and Garner attended a memorial service for former Houston player Ken Caminiti. ... Cardinals reliever Steve Kline's status is uncertain because of a painful attack of gout in his left index finger. ... Only two teams have come back from a 0-2 deficit in the NLCS: the 1984 Padres and the 1985 Cardinals.
