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Mets and Cards enjoy break

As expected, Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets has been postponed due to heavy rain. The rainout has given the Cardinals a chance to recover after receiving a 12-5 beating in Game 4. Both teams also have a chance to rest their pitchers, with the Cardinals perhaps more desperate to do so.

In Game 4, the Cardinals used no less than five relievers in five innings of work and both teams were scheduled to start pitchers in Game 5 on only 3 days of rest. They are the Cards` right-hander starter Jeff Weaver and the Mets` left-hander starter Tom Glavine. St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said "You don`t want to have a pitcher pitch short if you don`t have to. Both Weaver and Glavine have been gearing themselves to go, so they`ll be ready."

The Mets pitching is lacking as it is, missing ace starters Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez, both out with injuries. But besides the rainout, more good news is heard in the Mets clubhouse this week. El Duque ? Hernandez - threw 72 pitches during a bullpen session Sunday and is a possibility to be back in time for the World Series, if the Mets get passed this series.