Baseball: Padres wary of Pujols.

Byline: By ALAN McKINLAY

ALBERT PUJOLS has the name Cardinals written across his chest, just like his team-mates, but it might as well be a giant 'S'.

The St Louis Superman has clubbed the game-winning hits in both victories over San Deigo in the National League Division Series, and he is once again the man to fear as the Padres return home to try to stay alive in the five-game series today.

Pujols, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player and a leading contender again this year, has dominated the fourth inning of both games. On Tuesday, it was a two-run homer off Jake Peavy, and on Thursday, Pujols' hit put the Cardinals ahead, and he scored the second himself in a 2-0 win.

While the Padres are one defeat away from elimination today, further up the California coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in exactly the same position as they take on the New York Mets.

The Dodgers will put their hopes on the shoulders of wily veteran pitcher Greg Maddux, but even he will not be able to save the Dodgers unless they start hitting.

And that hope has taken a knock with an injury to arguably their best hitter, Nomar Garciaparra, who is doubtful for today's game.

TV TIMES: San Diego Padres v St Loius Cardinals (Game 3 NLDS) live, 6pm tonight. LA Dodgers v NY Mets (NLDS Game 3) live, 12.30 am.

CAPTION(S):

DOMINATOR: Albert Pujols