The St. Louis Cardinals are a force in the National League. For the second time in three years, they are in the World Series, this time, facing a familiar foe in the Boston Red Sox. Check out their playoff schedule as the Cardinals have a few extra days off before heading the Fenway Park to kick off the 2013 Fall Classic. 

The Cardinals are expected to receive some fuel in their offense. Allen Craig, the team's RBI machine during the regular season, will be back in the lineup after missing the entire month of September and the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Cardinals' somehow managed to hang tough in the postseason despite the absence of their RBI leader. 

In 2013, the Cardinals received 97 RBI from Craig, though he only hit 13 home runs. So that means Craig was batting with men on and he was driving a lot of them in. In the playoffs, Matt Adams replaced Craig and he did a decent job, posting a .268 batting average with a home run and four RBI in 11 games this postseason. 

Who knows what Craig will be provide as the veteran first baseman, who took over Albert Pujols' position, has not picked up a bat since Sept 4? However, the Cardinals will be glad to install him back into their lineup as they get set to capture their franchise's 12th championship.

One man hungry for a ring is Mr. Carlos Beltran. Nobody can question how badly Beltran wants a championship since he always turns it up in the postseason. It's almost like he wakes up in a new Bughatti every single night when he plays in the playoffs. He has hit 16 career postseason home runs, placing him eighth in the all-time list. It will be interesting to see how well Beltran plays in the World Series since it will be the 16-year veteran's first appearance in the Fall Classic. 

Here's a look at the schedule as Game 1 is still a couple of days away. 

2013 World Series: Cardinals Schedule- 
Game 1 vs. Red Sox: Wednesday, Oct. 23 @7:30 p.m. ET