2015 NLDS at Busch Stadium

St. Louis Cardinals – Chicago Cubs 

How fans can enjoy the historic Division Series matchup and rally support for the Cardinals

           ST. LOUIS, October 08, 2015 – For the third consecutive year, the Cardinals clinched a Central Division championship and punched a ticket back to the National League Division Series. With the best record in baseball, the Cardinals hold home-field advantage for the best-of-five series against the division rival Chicago Cubs. The 11-time World Champion Cardinals are making their fifth consecutive postseason appearance and the 28^th postseason appearance in franchise history (#12inSTL). This is the first time in history the Cardinals and Cubs will face each other in the postseason. While there are currently no remaining tickets available for the Division Series games at Busch, fans are encouraged to check back at cardinals.com/postseason or visit our partner site, StubHub.com. Here are details on how fans can enjoy postseason baseball in St. Louis. 

GAME SCHEDULE & HIGHLIGHTS

NLDS Game 1 – Friday, October 9, 2015 – Busch Stadium – 5:45 p.m. CT (TBS)

• 1:45 – 4:15 p.m. Official Cardinals Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Lot, located at Clark and Eighth Street
  • Music by DJ Todd Thomas, entertainment, prizes, and more
  • Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, a former Cardinal and the FOX Sports Midwest broadcasters
• Gates open 2 ½ hours prior to first pitch at 3:15 p.m.
• 40,000 fans receive a Cardinals rally towel courtesy of Mercy, the official healthcare provider of the Cardinals
• Pregame Ceremony starts at 5:10 p.m., approximately 30 minutes prior to first pitch
  • Budweiser Clydesdales will parade the warning track
  • Introduction of both teams on field
  • National Anthem by 4-Digit Chord, an acapella vocal group of Civilian, Active Duty, and Retired Military volunteers employed at Department of Defense agencies in the St. Louis Metro-East area
  • Colors and flag presented by soldiers from Ft. Leonard Wood
  • Former Cardinals outfielder (2004-2005) Reggie Sanders will throw the ceremonial first pitch. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Sanders’ 2005 NLDS heroics.

NLDS Game 2 – Saturday, October 10, 2015 – Busch Stadium – 4:37 p.m. CT (TBS)

• 12:30 – 3 p.m. Official Cardinals Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Lot, located at Clark and Eighth Street
  • Music by DJ Todd Thomas, entertainment, prizes, and more
  • Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, a former Cardinal player and the FOX Sports Midwest broadcasters
• Gates open at 2 p.m., approximately 2 ½ hours prior to first pitch
• 40,000 fans receive a Cardinals rally towel courtesy of Edward Jones
• Pregame Ceremony starts approximately 30 minutes prior to first pitch at 4 p.m.
  • Budweiser Clydesdales will parade the warning track
  • National Anthem by retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Generald Wilson
  • Colors presented by The United States Marines with Recruiting Station St. Louis
  • 2015 Cardinals Hall of Fame Inductee Ted Simmons will throw the ceremonial first pitch

NLDS Game 3 – Monday, October 12, 2015 – Wrigley Field – Game Time TBD (TBS)

NLDS Game 4 – Tuesday, October 13, 2015 – Wrigley Field – Game Time TBD (TBS)*(If necessary)

NLDS Game 5 – Thursday, October 15, 2015 – Busch Stadium – Game Time TBD (TBS) *(If necessary)

• Official Cardinals Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Lot, located at Clark and Eighth Street; begins approximately 4 hours prior to first pitch and lasts 2 ½ hours
  • Music by DJ Todd Thomas, entertainment, prizes, and more
  • Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, a former Cardinal player and the FOX Sports Midwest broadcasters
• Gates will open approximately 2 ½ hours prior to first pitch
• 40,000 fans receive a Cardinals rally towel courtesy of Phillips 66
• More info to come

Watching On TV

Fans can watch the Cardinals’ National League Division Series games on TBS. For channel information, check your local listings. FOX Sports Midwest, the TV home of the Cardinals, will produce postgame shows after all postseason games. Pat Parris will anchor from the network’s Ballpark Village studio, with a rotation of analysts that includes Al Hrabosky, Rick Horton, Jim Edmonds and Brad Thompson.

Radio Coverage

Fans can tune into the flagship station KMOX (1120 AM) and the 140 Cardinals Radio Network stations to hear Mike Shannon & John Rooney call the games. Mike Claiborne will also provide interviews throughout the series. The Cardinals Radio Network pre-game and post-game shows will be hosted by KMOX’s Chris Hrabe from Cardinals Nation in Ballpark Village.  The national broadcast of the NLDS games can also be heard on ESPN Radio (101.1 FM) or SiriusXM Radio.

Social Media

Fans participating in the postseason action on social media can follow the Cardinals at Facebook.com/Cardinals, on Twitter (@Cardinals), on Instagram (@Cardinals) and more. Join the social conversation using #12inSTL.

The Cardinals have also launched a unique #12inStL Fan Video Rally encouraging fans of all ages to rally behind the team during the 2015 Postseason by sharing videos demonstrating their spirit, enthusiasm and support for the team’s quest for a 12^th World Series Championship. The first five hundred fans who share a video with the team this postseason will be sent two complimentary official #12inStL Cardinals Rally Bands. For more info visit cardinals.com/fanflix.

Online Or On The Go

Fans can follow every Cardinals Postseason game for free on cardinals.com on their computers and laptops using MLB.com Gameday. The MLB.com At Bat mobile application is the most popular way to follow live Cardinals games on-the-go with scores, stats, schedules, news and analysis. During this year’s Postseason games in the National League, a subscription to At Bat Premium offers fans live radio broadcasts, replay reviews, Statcast, Postseason.TV, video highlights and more. Cardinals fans can download MLB.com At Bat on their favorite smartphones or tablets by visiting the app store or MLB.com.

Driving To The Games

MoDOT has limited roadwork when the Cardinals are at home during the National League Division Playoffs. Currently, fans can expect no significant traffic impacts due to construction on Missouri interstates heading into Busch Stadium or heading home.

Alternative Transportation

MetroLink is a convenient alternative to driving, allowing fans to avoid the cost of parking and game day traffic. Fans can park at any one of 21 free Metro Park-Ride lots in Missouri and Illinois and ride the train to the Stadium MetroLink Station, right across the street from the ballpark. Check the Metro website MetroStLouis.org for schedules and to find the Park-Ride lot nearest you. There are also plenty of buses in Missouri and Illinois that will get fans to Busch Stadium, including the RedBird Express that departs from the Water Tower at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, Illinois.  The first RedBird Express leaves 2 1/2 hours before the game and runs approximately every 5 minutes.

New Concession Items

• Popcorn Shrimp & Sweet Potato Tater Tots topped with white queso cheese, Sauce Louis, diced green onions and a lemon wedge (Sections, 161, 446 and inside the Redbird Club)

• Chicharrones: house-fried pork rinds topped with your selection of nacho cheese, taco beef or BBQ pork, salsa, jalapenos, sour cream, banana peppers and/or diced red and green onions. (Sections 151, 131, 450 and at the Redbird Club Nacho Bar)

• The Hill Slugger: 24” DiGregorio local Italian Sausage wrapped in hand-stretched  pizza dough, topped with melted butter and Parmesan, and served with a side of marinara (Section 152 and Redbird Club pizza stand)

Postseason Merchandise

• Busch Stadium Team Store: The Team Store will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.  In addition to standard merchandise, the store will also carry exclusive postseason and Central Division Champions merchandise including hats, t-shirts, pennants, pins and more. A variety of items are also available in ladies and youth sizes. Fans can also buy official t-shirts and hoodies, just like the players wear (#BuschStadiumTeamStore).

• Cardinals Authentics: Cardinals Authentics is the only place to get official, game-used, limited edition and autographed Cardinals memorabilia directly from the team. Featured items include game-used baseballs, bases, bats and jerseys from the 2015 season, 11x World Series Champions themed items, and exclusive autographed memorabilia. Known as the store where every piece tells a story, Cardinals Authentics has a variety of items to fit every budget. The Cardinals Authentics Store located inside Busch Stadium at Ford Plaza is open 2 hours before game time and a half hour after the game ends. The Cardinals Authentics Shop located inside Cardinals Nation at Ballpark Village is open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (or one hour after the game ends) every day of the week. To take home a piece of the game, follow them on Twitter at @CardsAuthentics (#CardsAuthentics) and shop online at cardinalsauthentics.com to take home a piece of the game.

• Cardinals Magazine and Cardinals Yearbook:  Celebrate the Cardinals’ return to the postseason by purchasing three keepsake items at Busch Stadium during the Division Series. The new Cardinals Magazine features Yadier Molina, whose work behind the plate guiding baseball’s best starting staff in the regular season garnered praise from teammates, coaches and opponents who all shared insights into baseball’s best defensive catcher. The 2015 Cardinals Yearbook celebrates the history of Cards’ uniform numbers and the legends who made them famous. This 224-page keepsake also includes action and studio portraits of the 2015 Cardinals. Fans can also still pick up the 2015 Scorecard featuring beautiful retro cover art on the cover, team rosters inside and detailed instructions on how to score the “Cardinal Way.” The magazine ($5), yearbook ($15) and scorecard ($2.50) are available at the newly refurbished Cardinals Publications vendor carts inside each stadium gate, at cardinals.com/publications, or 314.345.9000. The magazine and yearbook are also on sale at the team store, Cardinals Authentics, and area retailers like Schnucks, Dierbergs, QT, Walgreens and Cardinals Clubhouse (#CardsMag, #CardsYearbook).

Support Cardinals Care

Throughout the postseason, fans will have multiple opportunities to support Cardinals Care, the charitable arm of the team and organization.

• Cardinals Care 50/50 Raffle: Fans, ages 18 and older, may play the Cardinals Care 50/50 Raffle by going to any of the seven ticket kiosk locations throughout the stadium from the time gates open until the middle of the 7^th inning. One lucky fan will receive 50 percent of the gross proceeds from the game’s raffle ticket donations, and the other half will benefit Cardinals Care, the team’s charitable foundation that helps children. For more info and kiosk locations, visit cardinals.com/5050. (#Raffle4Kids)
• Cardinals Care Stadium Auction: Fans have the unique opportunity to bid on exclusive autographed Cardinals memorabilia at every postseason home game. The auction is a great way for fans and collectors alike to obtain specialty Cardinals items while helping support the programs that Cardinals Care provides to youth in the community. The auction tables will be located at Gate 3, Gate 1, Cardinals Club, UMB Champions Club, and in the Redbird Club.

Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar

Cardinals Nation, the team’s two-story restaurant in Ballpark Village, rolled out a variety of new menu items and specials just in time for the 2015 postseason (#CardsNation).

• Tuna Wontons
• Meatball Sliders
• BBQ Hawaiian Pizza
• Meat Lovers Pizza
• Steakhouse Salad
• Jerk Chicken Sandwich
• Buffalo Chicken Wrap
• Turkey Wrap
• Ribeye Steak
• Two Birds on a Plate
• Porterhouse Pork Chop
• Spaghetti & Meatballs
• Octoberfest Burger (back by popular demand for the month of October)

20 oz. Souvenir Cardinals Nation Postseason 2015 Cup: Keep your cup with every game day draft beer purchase.

G&W Grill: The fan-favorite G&W Grill will be outside Cardinals Nation every home game serving up St. Louis’ favorite G&W Bratwursts and Hotdogs. There will also be a satellite location inside the Pep Rally.

Live Music: Stick around after every postseason home game for free live music in the Hall of Fame Club, on the 2^nd floor of Cardinals Nation.

• Friday, October 9 – Borderline
• Saturday, October 10 – Carrie and the Catapults
• Thursday, October 15 – Borderline (if game is played)

Giveaways: On home game days, Cardinals Nation will have postseason rally towels and koozies for fans.

Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum

Before every postseason game, the Cardinals Hall of Fame will host an Artifact Spotlight giving Museum visitors the chance to see postseason-themed artifacts in the collection not currently on display. On Friday, the presentation is scheduled from 3-3:30 p.m. Saturday’s presentation is scheduled from 1:45 – 2:15 p.m. Thursday is TBD. These programs are free with paid admission to the museum. For more information or to purchase tickets to the museum, visit cardinals.com/museum (#CardsMuseum).

Ballpark Village

Ballpark Village is the home of the official Cardinals Postseason Away Game Watch Parties replicating the game-day excitement of Busch Stadium for fans while the team is on the road. Fans will enjoy pep rally entertainment, complete with celebrity emcee, games and limited appearances by Fredbird and Team Fredbird. Giveaways include cowbells, thundersticks and megaphones. Learn more here.

• Bob Gibson Book Signing: Cardinals Hall of Famer Bob Gibson is coming to Ballpark Village to share and sign his new book PITCH BY PITCH: My View of One Unforgettable Game at the Budwesier Brew House Sunday, October 11, from 2- 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss the FREE live on-stage interview by sports broadcaster Dan McLaughlin followed by a ticketed book signing. Learn more here.

For more information, visit stlballparkvillage.com (#BallparkVillage).

BUSCH STADIUM – POLICY REMINDER

Bag Inspections And Guest Screening Policy

• Standard game-day bag inspection policies for Busch Stadium are in effect. Bags will be allowed that meet Major League Baseball’s standard size restriction (16”x16”x8”), and all bags will be inspected prior to entry.
• As a reminder, the Cardinals and Major League Baseball have implemented the use of walk through metal detectors at all entrances to Busch Stadium to ensure the safety of all guests. As part of the process, guests will have to remove cell phones, cameras and other large metal objects before passing through the detectors. Guests in wheelchairs and those with medical devices that may set off the detector are subject to alternative screening methods. Guests will still be required to have their bags inspected prior to entering the stadium.
• Guests will be permitted to bring small personal cameras as long as they do not obstruct other guest’s view and will be subject to inspection.  No professional-sized photography equipment, including tripods and monopods, will be allowed except for members of the media with proper MLB Postseason credentials.
• Non-alcoholic beverages such as water & soda in open cups or in clear plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters are allowed.
• Alcohol, bottles, cans, thermoses, hard-sided coolers; hard plastic cups/mugs are not permitted.
• Small banners and signs are allowed. Banners may be displayed as long as they do not hinder or interfere with a ball in play or distract or interfere with the view of another guest. Banners may not be displayed in fair territory, be obscene or in poor taste, attract abuse or cause a disturbance among other guests. They should be baseball-oriented and not commercial in nature.
• Please minimize items you bring into the stadium to speed up the inspection process.
• Expect long lines upon entry and allow yourself plenty of time to go through the inspection process.

Exit/Re-entry Policy

Exit/re-entry will only be allowed starting at game time and extending through the end of the 7^th inning. Guests wishing to leave the stadium, but planning to return during the same game must have their hand and ticket stamped at Gate 4 only as they exit the stadium. Guests will also receive a re-entry card which they must show with their stamped ticket and stamped hand upon re-entry. Inspection and Guest Screening policy will also be enforced.

No Smoking Policy

Standard Busch Stadium Smoking Policy is in effect.  Busch Stadium is a smoke-free facility. Exit/re-Entry turnstiles will be set up at Gate 4 to allow fans access in and out of the stadium if they wish to smoke. Guests must have their hand and ticket stamped at Gate 4 as they exit the stadium. Guests will also receive a re-entry card which they must show with their stamped ticket and stamped hand upon re-entry. Inspection and Guest Screening policy will also be enforced.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015 SEASON

• The Cardinals completed their 124^th season of play in the National League with an 100-62 mark, the top mark in the majors. The team won the N.L. Central for the 11^th time and for the 3^rd consecutive season, as they qualified for the postseason for a 5^th consecutive season – the 1^st  time in franchise history to have done so.

• The Cardinals are meeting the Chicago Cubs for the first time ever in postseason play. The Cardinals were 11-8 against the Cubs this season, going 7-3 at Busch Stadium & 4-5 at Wrigley Field. The Cards trail their all-time series with the Cubs, 1,147-1,197. St. Louis is 53-36 (.596) at home against the Cubs since 2006 when Busch Stadium III opened; they are 446-512-2 (.466) all-time at Wrigley Field.

• The Cardinals won a Busch Stadium III record 55 home games, tying the L.A. Dodgers for the top home mark in the majors. The Cardinals have won an N.L.-best 491 home games since moving into Busch Stadium III in 2006.

• The Cardinals put together the 75^th winning season (+.500) in franchise history. The Cardinals have now compiled eight consecutive winning seasons, doing so for only the 2^nd time in franchise history.

• The Cardinals were the first team in the majors to clinch a spot in the postseason, doing so for a franchise-record fifth consecutive season and in each of the four seasons that Manager Mike Matheny has been at the helm.

• With 100 wins this season, the Cardinals are just the ninth team in franchise history to reach the century mark in wins (1942 – 106; 1943, 1944, & 2004 – 105; 1931, 1967, 1985 – 101; 2005 & 2015 – 100). They are the major’s first 100-win team since Philadelphia in 2011 (102).

• The Cardinals were 32-23 in one-run games, 15-15 in shutouts, and 8-8 in extra-inning games.

• The Cardinals had a N.L. best +121 runs scored differential (647-525), second only to the Toronto Blue Jays (+222).

• The Cardinals allowed the 2^nd fewest home runs (123) in the majors, with Pittsburgh allowing the fewest (110).

• The Cardinals’ 70 postseason wins since 1996 are 2^nd in the majors (NY Yankees, 97).

• Mike Matheny is the first manager in Major League history to take his team to the postseason in each of his first four full seasons. The Cardinals are 375-273 under Matheny, owning the majors top winning pct. (.579) in that four-season span (2012-15) and they have also appeared in a Major League-high 39 postseason games.