Cardinals are a loose group going into Game 5

THE CARDINALS are the underdogs, but that's nothing new. They weren't supposed to make the playoffs, but did with a big boost from the team they're now trying to oust.

They weren't supposed to match up against the 102-win Phillies but here they are, forcing the issue with a decisive NLDS Game 5 tonight at Citizens Bank Park. They project the casual confidence of a team with wads of house money stuffed into its pockets and a rally squirrel on its shoulder.

"We're having fun. We have nothing to lose here," said Skip Schumaker at yesterday's optional workout. "We feel like we had a great team all year. We finally broke through in September. We felt like it was just a matter of time and, luckily, it wasn't too little, too late. And we're here and hopefully we can continue it.

"We've had must-win games all year, especially the last 2 months. This is no different. I feel like we're in a good spot. We're relaxed. We're having fun with it. We have our best [righthander Chris Carpenter] going for us.

"If we go down, we go down, but I like our chances. Nobody predicted us to be in Game 5. Nobody predicted us to be in Game 4."

Or Game 2, for that matter.

"You're probably right," he said. "So we're here for a reason. We feel like we're as good as anybody."

Manager Tony La Russa said having to play catch-up for so long toughened his younger players. "I think the fact that it's been so hard for us and the guys have responded means that . . . they had to grow up in a hurry," he noted.

Lance Berkman said there's no pressure on the Cardinals.

"Just because pressure is what you allow it to be," he said. "For me, it's competition. Somebody's gonna win. Somebody's gonna lose. I've lost, I've won. It's just one of those things. I think the team, in general, has a good attitude about it. We're proud of what we've accomplished and we're just going to go out and compete."

One obvious key for St. Louis is that Carpenter has to be better than he was in Game 2 when, pitching on short rest, he lasted just three innings and gave up four runs. Especially since he'll be matched up against his former teammate, close friend and fellow ace, Roy Halladay.

"I'm looking forward to it, no question," Carpenter said. "I wasn't sharp in Game 2 but I'm looking forward to doing a better job. I can tell you that much. It's going to be fun.

"[Pitching coach Dave Duncan said] I was just spinning off a little bit. Like I said, I wasn't as sharp as I would have liked so I was trying to find any way I could to get the ball where I wanted it and it just wasn't happening. I started spinning a little bit instead of driving the ball down through the strike zone and I went out and tried to make an adjustment."

It appears that both Matt Holliday (right hand tendinitis) and Schumaker (hamstring cramp that forced him to leave Game 4 in the sixth inning) should be able to play, although La Russa doesn't have to make that decision until tonight.

And no matter what happens tonight, by coming back and making the playoffs after being counted out, the Cardinals have something to be proud of.

"This is one of the greatest and most pleasurable seasons I've ever had with a bunch of guys," Carpenter said. "It's been a crazy ride and no matter what happens, they can't take anything that we've done away from us."