Cardinals shut down Dodgers, 9-0, to claim NL championship

Carlos Beltran followed through with another key hit in a four-run 3rd inning that stunned the Dodgers and Michael Wacha was again magnificent on the mound for St. Louis as the Cardinals advanced to their second World Series in three seasons by shutting out Los Angeles, 9-0, in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

The 22-year-old Wacha was selected MVP of the NLCS after throwing 13 & 2/3 scoreless innings and beating Kershaw twice in the series. He is the first rookie to win the award since Livan Hernandez in 1997 for the then-Florida Marlins, who pitched seven innings and allowed only two hits.

Game 1 of the World Series this Wednesday night at the winner of the ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. Currently, Boston leads the series, 3-2. The Cardinals won their 19th NL title and will be trying for their third world title since last winning it in 2011.