It's way, way, way to early predict a pitchers' duel, but at least we've got the key ingredients: two really good starting pitchers, in Kyle Lohse and Matt Cain.

Lohse, who went 16-3 during the regular season and has pitched well in both of his postseason starts, gave up a single to Pablo Sandoval in the top of the first, but otherwise had little trouble with the top of the Giants' order.

Cain, who gave up three homers to the Reds in their Division Series, plunked leadoff man Jon Jay in the bottom of the first, but Jay was erased when Carlos Beltran grounded into a double play and Matt Holliday -- no vengeance yet! -- grounded to second base.

So after one inning in cloudy St. Louis, Game 3 of the National League Championship Series remains scoreless. There is news, though! Beltrán is out of the game because of an injury, with Matt Carpenter taking over in right field. It's a tough break for the Cardinals, but at least Carpenter can hit some.