The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals will play Game 3 of the 2012 National League Championship Series on Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium, with the opening pitch scheduled for 4:07 ET on FOX

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals    

San Francisco evened up the series at a game apiece by collecting a 7-1 home win on Monday night, which improved the team’s record to 17-12 in NLCS action.  “What’s on our mind is to go out and play our best ball,” stated Giants manager Bruce Bochy.  The Giants are 3-0 away from AT&T Park during the 2012 postseason, which has improved their record to 9-2 in their last 11 playoff games on the road.  San Francisco is 14-11 as a road underdog of +100 to +125, with the OVER going 16-9 in that situation.

Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (16-5, 2.79 ERA) split his two National League Division Series efforts against the Cincinnati Reds, capturing a 6-4 win in Game 5, allowing three runs and six hits over 5.2 innings of work.  The right-hander went 8-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 17 regular season outings away from home, issuing 32 walks and collecting 92 strikeouts in 108.2 frames.  In eight career starts versus the Cardinals, Cain has compiled a 2-3 record and 4.94 ERA, including an 8-2 road loss on Aug. 6.

St. Louis has plenty of confidence returning home for the next three games, especially since the Franchise has won six of its previous 10 appearances in the NLCS.  The Cardinals are 31-30 all-time in this situation, which includes an 18-11 mark at home.  “We love being home,” stated Cardinals manager Mike Matheny.  Outfielder Carlos Beltran continues to provide plenty of offense, something that isn’t a surprise due to his .387 average and 14 home runs in 30 postseason games.  St. Louis is 4-6 at home when the total is 7 or less.

Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.86 ERA) has been the club’s most consistent option in the rotation throughout the season, as he led Major League Baseball with an .842 winning percentage this year.  The right-hander didn’t earn a decision in a 2-1 road loss to the Washington Nationals on Oct. 11, giving up a single run and two hits over seven frames.  In five career outings versus the Giants, Lohse has tallied a 3-2 record and 3.78 ERA.

Sports bettors will likely back the Cardinals due to their 7-0 record following a loss, while the Giants are 3-7 in Cain’s last 10 starts versus winning teams.

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