The St. Louis Cardinals are headed back to the World Series following a thrashing of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.
On Friday night the Cardinals claimed victory in the NLCS with a 9-0 win over the Dodgers.
Cardinals starter Michael Wacha continued his strong postseason by going seven innings allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five.
DUMBO: Gonzalez and Puig pose with signs prior to game
The Cardinals got to Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw in the third inning when Carlos Beltran hit a ground ball that deflected to the outfield. Two singles and a throwing error by Dodgers outfield Yasiel Puig allowed the Cardinals to take a 4-0 lead.
Kershaw remained in the game until the fifth inning when he was pulled before recording an out. In total the NL Cy Young hopeful allowed seven runs in his four-plus innings of work. From there the rout was on as the Cardinals jumped out to a 9-0 lead.
Trevor Rosenthal recorded the final three outs for the Cardinals striking out Mark Ellis to end the series.
The Cardinals won the 2011 World Series four games to three over the Texas Rangers. In 2006 the Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers four games to one. This marks the first time the Cardinals have made a World Series appearance since the departure of Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols following the 2011 campaign.
This is the Cardinals 19th World Series appearance, they will be seeking their 12th title.