Playoff primer 10/11

NLCS Game 1: Dodgers at Cardinals, 8:37 p.m. ET, Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Probables: RHP Zack Greinke vs. RHP Joe Kelly

Here is the postseason schedule.

The Cardinals will see the best the Dodgers have to offer when Greinke and Clayton Kershaw takes the mound. Greinke had difficulty pinpointing what type of pitcher he wanted to be, but has since found a way to adjust, the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez writes.

This NLCS is not just a series between two tough teams, but teams with history between them, Sports Illustrated's Cliff Corcoran writes.

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian asks five questions about the NLCS, including: How much will it matter that Adam Wainwright cannot start Game 1? He was needed to finish off the Pirates in Game 5 of the NLDS.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Bernie Miklasz breaks down the Dodgers-Cardinals series. He notes the off-field aspects -- Vin Scully, the uniforms, the return of Mark McGwire and Skip Schumaker -- as well as the matchups.

The schedule and the numbers from Yahoo's Big League Stew.

Different hometowns, different styles, different looks. Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen are different in most ways, but they have created a back-end tandem that has proven effective since Wilson joined the major league team, Bill Plaschke writes.

Once the World Series is over, we will begin our free agency primers and arbitration eligibles series, looking ahead to the Pirates' offseason moves. Come mid-November, we will have awards previews, as the Pirates have a couple candidates. I will also have my NL MVP ballot and explanation when the votes are released.

We also would like submissions for Q & As to go on the blog. Send me a question at bbrink@post-gazette.com with your name and hometown, and I'll answer it here. It can be something that might be too involved for a chat, or something you have been wondering about. I enjoy them because every once in a while I don't know the answer, and I learn something by looking it up or tracking it down.

After the playoffs ended, we will be away for a few days. Keep an eye open Sunday for the end-of-season report card, and I will be back with you next week.