WASHINGTON - The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to win their first World Series title in a quarter-century. 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. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . The 22-year-old Kreider was injured Friday night in New Yorks win at Columbus, but played in the next two games -- including Monday nights win over Phoenix. But the left winger, who has 17 goals and 37 points this season, was limited to about 10 minutes of ice time in each of the previous games. MLB Jerseys 2020 Online . Thornton emerged as one of the leagues best defensive ends against the run in 2013. The former undrafted free agent from Division II Southern Arkansas led Philadelphias linemen with 78 tackles and had one sack. https://www.mlbjerseys2020.com/ . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday. MLB Jerseys 2020 . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic .Y. -- Dwane Casey admitted hed been concerned about his young Raptors team who had zero experience playing in close-out games -- what awaited them with the vastly-experienced Brooklyn Nets, and how theyd react.Thierry Henry has called for unity as Arsenal look to bounce back from recent setbacks and end their 12-season wait for the Premier League title. Having beaten Leicester in mid-February, a run of three Premier League games without a win, coupled with FA Cup and Champions League exits at the hands of Watford and Barcelona respectively, have seen the Gunners hopes of silverware suffer a severe blow.The current state of results has seen manager Arsene Wenger bear the brunt of intense criticism from disgruntled supporters, with fans divided over the 66-year-olds future. Henry on CL draw Thierry Henry on difficult task for Manchester City against PSG But Sky Sports pundit Henry believes his former club still have a chance to win the title, and has called for everyone associated with Arsenal to rally behind the team.Arsenal have to remain positive as that is the only thing they can do right now, Henry said. There are still nine games to go.In order for Arsenal to go forward, they have to block all the negativity that is around the club at the moment. Thierry Henry thinks if Arsenal beat Everton this weekend, they still have a slim chance of winning the Premier League title I have never heard the crowd at the Emirates react as they did against Watford. It doesnt help when you play and hear the fans having a go at what you do, or a decision from the bench.Ive played in stadiums where the fans are not happy and it doesnt help. If that negativity comes from the stands, it becomes very difficult for anyone, especially when you havent won the title for 12 years.Now is the time for everyone to pull in the same direction - players and fans - in order for the team to go all the way. They need to have that togetherness at this crucial time. It doesn’t help when you play and hear the fans having a go at what you do, or a decision from the bench. They need to have that togetherness at this crucial time. Thierry Henry - Sky Sports pundit Arsenal still have a possibility to win the title mathematiically.dddddddddddd. As Wenger has said, you have to hope for the best in this type of situation.The Gunners travel to Goodison Park on Saturday looking to close an 11-point gap to league leaders Leicester City. Arsene Wenger is wary of dropping out of the Champions League positions Henry admits Wengers side face a difficult task in catching the Foxes, but feels it is too early to judge Arsenals season.If Arsenal dont win at Goodison Park it will make things very difficult, Henry added. They have a game in hand on Leicester and Spurs, so if they can win at Everton they can apply some pressure.There is also something happening behind them, West Ham are coming and Arsenal still have to go to Upton Park, so they cannot afford to stand still. Arsene Wenger says Arsenal must beat Everton if theyre to have a realistic chance of winning the Premier League They lost against Swansea at home, which people didnt expect, and now they need points. At the end of the season, only then, can we judge the team.Discussing what the team have done wrong throughout the season wont help the current situation or what lies in front of them. Right now it is about winning the title and that is what everybody wants to see. Also See: Wenger tells Arsenal to relax Everton v Arsenal preview Martinez: Wenger a rare breed Premier League questions ' ' '