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Cards raise contendors
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ST. LOUIS (AP) — The lessons begin in rookie ball.

Every team emphasizes fundamentals and preparedness, both physical and mental, in the hope it all becomes second nature as players climb through the farm system.

One organization’s philosophy always seems to stick out. Everyone knows about The Cardinal Way.

Even before opening day this year, St. Louis was hit hard by season-ending injuries to longtime ace Chris Carpenter, closer Jason Motte and shortstop Rafael Furcal. As the summer wore on, the setbacks kept coming.

But the Cardinals kept dipping into the minors for replacements who did more than their share for a team that’s back in the World Series for the fourth time in 10 years.

The kids they plugged in, most by necessity, weren’t wide-eyed at all. They remembered the teaching and just let their ability flow.

“There’s definitely nerves that are going on,” 22-year-old pitcher Michael Wacha said after beating Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw twice in the NL championship series. “You’ve just got to be able to control them and try to use them to your advantage out there. Just not let the moment get too big, just take deep breaths.”

The Cardinals are in the postseason for the 10th time in 14 years. Fresh off their 19th pennant, they’ll go for their second championship in three years when they open the World Series against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

The pitching staff is deep, thanks to the farm system.

Shelby Miller had a 3.06 ERA this season and led major league rookies with 15 wins. Yet when the playoffs rolled around, there was no room for him in the rotation.

Wacha is 3-0 with a 0.43 postseason ERA, and fellow rookie Trevor Rosenthal seized the closer’s job in September when Edward Mujica faltered. Carlos Martinez stepped into the setup role, Seth Maness induced 16 double-play balls to lead NL relievers, and left-hander Kevin Siegrist posted a 0.45 ERA.

None of them shake off catcher Yadier Molina, himself a product of The Cardinal Way.

No doubt, they’ve gotten a little lucky, too.

General manager John Mozeliak appreciates the organization-wide recognition, but couldn’t have predicted most of the prospects would come through this quickly. Wacha’s sudden dominance is a pleasant surprise, and the same goes for Rosenthal and fill-in first baseman Matt Adams.

John Gast arrived with zero expectations and won his first two career starts. Tyler Lyons, hardly a name on the tip of any fan’s tongue, won his first two starts as well.

Most of the World Series roster is homegrown, a strategy emphasizing scouting expertise and consistency in instruction that allows the Cardinals to keep running with the big spenders.