WASHINGTON - The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to win their first World Series title in a quarter-century. Ron Francis Jersey . To do it, theyll have to get past baseballs big roadblock. In the past two years, the St. Louis Cardinals extended even longer droughts in Pittsburgh and Washington. And in 2011, the Cardinals wrecked the party for the Texas Rangers, the franchise that moved from D.C. to the Lone Star State four decades ago. Former St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire, now the Dodgers batting coach, said he wasnt surprised his old club stands in the way of a title for his new team. "You know what? I think everybody figured youre going to have to go through St. Louis to get to the World Series," McGwire said before the start of the NL championship series. "Here we are." And not doing too well, so far. The Cardinals lead the Dodgers 2-0 in the best-of-seven matchup going into Game 3 Monday at Dodger Stadium. To fans in other cities, it must seem unfair. While theyve been waiting for generations in Kansas City, Seattle and elsewhere for that special season, the Cardinals seem to show up every October. Making their 10th playoff appearance in 14 years, the Cardinals are in the NLCS for the third straight season. Theyre looking for their third World Series championship since 2006. And along the way, they keep breaking hearts. Meanwhile, the Pirates havent won a World Series since 1979, when Willie Stargell and the gang grooved to the Sister Sledge disco hit "We Are Family" and defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. A victory by the Cardinals over the Pirates in the decisive Game 5 of the NL division series ensured that Pittsburgh will go at least 35 years between crowns. Last year, the Nationals were hoping to bring a championship to Washington for the first time since the Jazz Age. But the Cardinals rallied from a 6-0 deficit to win Game 5 of the NLDS and prolong Washingtons wait, which will hit 90 years next season. Washingtons first and only World Series championship came in 1924, when the old Senators defeated the New York Giants in Game 7. The winning run scored on a bad-hop grounder by Earl McNeely that bounced over third baseman Freddie Lindstrom in the bottom of the 12th inning. Walter Johnson, who had lost his first two starts, won the seventh game by pitching four scoreless innings in relief. The nations capital didnt have a team from 1972-2004. The Montreal Expos moved to Washington and began playing as the Nationals the next year. In 2011, the Cardinals were down to their last strike — twice — before rallying to beat Texas in the World Series. The Dodgers claimed their last title in 1988, when George Michaels "Faith" topped the Billboard list of most popular songs. Faith was also what Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda had in Kirk Gibson, sending his injured star to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in the opening game of the World Series. Gibson delivered with a two-out, two-run homer off Dennis Eckersley to give Los Angeles a 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics, hobbling around the bases as he pumped his arm. The Dodgers went on to take the series in five games. Earlier that year, with Magic Johnson at point guard, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title. Now, Johnson is part of the ownership group of the Dodgers, hoping to bring his good fortune to baseball. The group also includes Stan Kasten, who helped build the Nationals team that lost to the Cardinals last year. While the Dodgers have gone a while since winning a championship, theyve been much more competitive in recent years than either Pittsburgh (which snapped a record streak of 20 straight losing seasons this year) and Washington (which hasnt hosted a World Series in 80 years). Both the Cardinals and Dodgers were shaped by Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey. With the Cardinals in the 1920s and 30s, Rickey established the first farm system; then with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he signed Jackie Robinson, who broke baseballs colour barrier in 1947.In building a contender in recent years, the Cardinals have relied on the tool Rickey pioneered nearly a century ago — a solid pipeline of talent from their farm system. The Dodgers have relied more on high-priced stars. Which approach is better? This series could help answer that question. Justin Schultz Jersey . The 24-year-old right winger has one assist in nine games this season with the Sabres. In his career, he has three goals and six assists in 43 NHL games. Evgeni Malkin Penguins Jersey . Minutes after the previously winless Colts got their first win, 27-13 over Tennessee, team vice chairman Bill Polian said the four-time league MVP will not play this season though he has begun throwing to teammates at the team complex. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/jack-johnson-jersey/ . Grilli hasnt pitched since straining his left oblique in late April. Manager Clint Hurdle says the right-hander will make a couple of appearances in middle relief before the team determines whether to return Grilli to the back end of the bullpen.The San Antonio Spurs will once again try to polish off the Portland Trail Blazers, this time it will be at AT&T Center for Wednesday nights Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. San Antonio had a chance to sweep on Monday night, but Portland pulled out a 103-92 victory. With their backs against the wall, Portland was led by its point guard. Damian Lillard scored 25 points and was one of five Trail Blazers in double figures for the night. "We knew that this could have been our last game if we didnt come out and correct the things that we had been doing wrong over the first three games," said Lillard. "I think guys were locked in. Everybody competed." Lillard was 11-for-21 from the field on Monday after shooting 37.5 percent over the first three games. LaMarcus Aldridge was next for Portland with 19 points, followed by a sensational all-around effort from Nicolas Batum, who had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Wesley Matthews added 10 and Will Barton gave the Blazers bench a much-needed lift with 17 points. "It was a good game, but we still got another three to go," Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said. Tony Parker was held to 14 points after going for at least 29 in three of his last four games. Tim Duncan had 12 points and nine rebounds for San Antonio, which is lookking to head to the conference finals for a third consecutive season. Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys. Boris Diaw (12), Kawhi Leonard (11) and Patty Mills (10) also scored in double figures for San Antonio. "I dont think that we had the energy, the focus," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "We didnt accomplish our defensive tasks the way we had the first three games. Both mentally and physically, we played at a lower level than we have." After leading for just 33 seconds over the first three games, Portland used a big run during the middle stages of the third quarter to pull away in this one. The Blazers led throughout the second half, building a 20-point, fourth- quarter cushion. No NBA team has ever lost a best-of-seven playoff series after going up 3-0. The Blazers were the last team to take one to a seventh game, but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in a 2003 first-round series. "Like we said, why not us?," asked Batum. "Its never been done before. Were down 3-0. We know its going to be tough. It wont be easy, especially against this team, the San Antonio Spurs. Like we always say, just take one game at a time. "We had a great game tonight. Well try to do the same thing, go down there to San Antonio and just be focused on that game and move on." A potential Game 6 would be Friday night in Portland. ' ' '