The St. Louis Cardinals were a playoff afterthought in the National League playoff picture for much of the year.
Thanks to a 17-8 record in September, as well as a collapse from the Atlanta Braves, the Cardinals stormed back to win the NL wild card.
Chris Carpenter did his part for the Cards on Wednesday night by delivering a two-hit, 11-strikeout shutout of the Astros to guarantee at least a one-game playoff for St. Louis.
However, the Braves would end up falling in 13 innings to the Phillies to give the Cardinals the wild card.
Coincidentally, the Cardinals will now go on the road to play the Phillies in the divisional series.
