St. Louis (90-72): The unlikely World Champs overcame a nine-game September deficit and two final-strike elimination threats in the World Series. In his final season as manager, Tony LaRussa righted a sinking ship at mid-season, when the Cardinals stabilized the IF defense by acquiring SS Rafael Furcal, repaired the pitching with three mid-season acquisitions and converted Fernando Salas (2.28, 24 saves) to closer. Meanwhile, the NL’s top-scoring, top-slugging offense revived with the return of David Freese (.297) and Albert Pujols (.299-37-99) from the disabled list, to join Matt Holliday (.296-22-75), Lance Berkman (.301-31-94) and part-timer Allen Craig (.315) in a lethal lineup.