Despite a 2-0 NLCS lead, it’s not over…yet

The St. Louis Cardinals enter tonight’s NLCS Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 2-0 lead. Don’t take things for granted though even though Adam Wainwright is pitching.
Oct 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; General view of a postseason sign before game four of the 2012 NLCS between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
History shows us not to take it for granted.

The past few NLCS have seen the Cards head into the first off-day with a 1-1 split. Since the LCS was started in 1969, here’s how the Cardinals have done:
1982: Cardinals sweep the Atlanta Braves 3-0

1985: Cardinals down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers but win the next four games to clinch the National League Pennant.

1987: After a 1-1 split, the Cards and San Francisco Giants take the series all seven games with the Cards winning another pennant.

2000: Down 0-2 to the New York Mets, the Cards win Game 3 but lose the series 4-1.

2002: In a rematch of the 1987 NLCS, the Cards are down 0-2 and win Game 3 but lose the series 4-1

2004: The Cardinals had a 2-0 lead after the first two games of the 2004 NLCS against the Houston Astros and that series stretched to seven games thanks to Jim Edmonds. All the home teams won in this series.

2005: In a rematch of 2004, they split the first 2 games at Busch before Albert Pujols‘ Game 5 home run sends the series back to Busch Stadium for a final postseason game and a chance for fans to say goodbye. The Astros win the series 4-2.

2006: In a rematch of 2000, they split the first 2 games at Shea. After 3 games at Busch, the Cards had a 3-2 lead in the series. It went to Game 7, where Endy Chavez robbed Scott Rolen of a home run and then Yadier Molina surprised everyone with a home run to win the game. With bases loaded and two outs, Carlos Beltran struck out.

2011: In what was known as the Bullpen Series, the Cards won 4-2 after splitting the first two games at Miller Park.

2012: In yet another rematch with the Giants, they split the first two games. With a 3-1 lead entering Game 5, the Cards had a chance to clinch at home and were shut out 5-0. The Giants blew out the Cards in Game 6 to force Game 7, which the Cards also lost.