OCTOBER 5 - THE CARDS' FAVORITE DAY FOR NLDS SUCCESS

Since playing in their first National League Division Series in 1996, the Cardinals have never lost a postseason game played on October 5.  They're 7-0 on that date.  That includes the first-ever National League Wild Card Game (2012) when the Cardinals handed the Atlanta Braves a controversial 6-3 loss at Turner Field (The Infield Fly Rule Game).

Prior to that, St Louis has played six different NLDS games on October 5 - winning all six times.  They went on to win the best-of-five showdowns all six times, as well.  Here's a look back on their October 5 NLDS success:

1996 (Game 3) - After winning the first two games at home, the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium - with a come-from-behind 7-5 win.  Highlight:  Brian Jordan's two-run ninth-inning home run off Padres reliever Trevor Hoffman to break 5-5 tie.

2000 (Game 2) - The Cardinals won their second straight game at Busch Stadium over the Atlanta Braves, with a 10-4 drubbing.  Braves starter Tom Glavine gave up seven of those runs in just 2.1 innings pitched.  Highlight:  Will Clark's three-run first-inning home run to get the Redbirds off to a flying start.

2002 (Game 3) - After winning the first two games in Arizona, the Cardinals completed the three-game series sweep of the defending World Series champion Diamondbacks with a 6-3 win at Busch Stadium - thus avenging the disappointing five-game loss to the D-Backs the prior year.  Highlight:  Miguel Cairo - playing for the injured Scott Rolen - goes 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored & 2 RBI.

2004 (Game 1) - The Cardinals clobber the LA Dodgers at Busch Stadium by a score of 8-3.  Highlight:  St Louis belts five home runs - two by Larry Walker - and one each from Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Mike Matheny.

2006 (Game 2) - The Cardinals shock the San Diego Padres at PetCo Park for the second straight game, as Jeff Weaver (5 IP) and four relievers blank the Padres by a score of 2-0.  Rookie Adam Wainwright gets the final four outs of the game to record his first career postseason save.  Highlight:  Pujols and Edmonds each drive in one run.

2011 (Game 4) - Down two games to one, the Cardinals send the series back to Philadelphia with a come-from-behind 5-3 Rally Squirrel win over the Phillies.  Edwin Jackson survives a two-run first-inning - then blanks the Phillies for the next five innings to get the win.  Phillies starter Roy Oswalt never quite recovered from the mad dash our furry little friend made early in this game - but the Cardinals rallied around it.  Highlight:  David Freese drives in four of the five St Louis runs with a home run and a double.

Even though the Cardinals had an off day on their favorite day to play postseason baseball, they should be okay.  After all, they've never lost any NLDS after winning the first game.  Of course, they'd never scored eight runs in one division series inning, either.