The St. Louis Cardinals are now one step closer to getting back to the World Series after prevailing over the San Francisco Giants 8-3 in Game 4, which increased their series lead to 3-1. Starter Adam Wainwright came through in a big way throwing seven innings of four-hit baseball.

The 31-year-old right-hander spoke to Fox shortly after his stellar performance that put St. Louis one win away from the Fall Classic.

"A little part of me wanted to really prove it to myself that I could go out there and pitch great when we need me to. I was very confident in my ability and my stuff, I just needed to trust it and go out there and make pitches and tonight I was able to execute."

On the offensive side Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday and Jon Jay each put up two runs batted in. Pete Kozma and Allen Craig drove in one run apiece. However, the Cardinals were again without their outfielder Carlos Beltran, who is day-to-day with a strained knee injury he suffered in Game 3, but the slugger is hoping to be in the lineup on Friday.

"Right now, the plan is to come in tomorrow and do what I have to do in order to be in the lineup. Today was a better day for me, better than yesterday," he said.

In Game 5, the Cardinals will attempt to eliminate the Giants on their home field at Busch Stadium. San Francisco will combat with veteran southpaw Barry Zito (15-8, 4.15 ERA) against Lance Lynn (18-7, 3.78 ERA) of the Cardinals. In nine lifetime outings against St. Louis, Zito sports a 2-6 record with a 4.89 ERA, which includes a dismal 1-3 mark at Busch Stadium. Lynn hasn't fared any better against the Giants with a 0-2 record and 7.15 ERA against them.

CLICK HERE to watch the San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLCS via live stream. Coverage will begin at 7 p.m. CT on Oct. 19.

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