"Dave Duncan retired the trophy for Understatement of the Year on Monday when he described the Cardinals' blueprint for success in the NL championship series as "a little unorthodox."

Next thing you know, the Cardinals pitching coach may suggest Nyjer Morgan is a bit talkative.

The Cardinals are NL champions and face the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night because of a bullpen that pitched 4 1/3 more innings than its starting rotation in the six-game series, which fell their way late Sunday night at Miller Park."