SAN FRANCISCOWhen Carlos Beltran waived his no-tradeclause to accept a deal that would send him to the Giants last July, herelished the opportunity to play in the postseason again with his newcontending team after some early-career disappointments. Unfortunately forBeltran and the Giants in 2011, the Arizona Diamondbacks dominated down thestretch to take the NL West title out of San Francisco. Beltran got his wish a year later as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and isset to play in the third NLCS Game 7 of his career. The first two playoff runsBeltran experienced ended in heartbreak. As a member of the Houston Astros in2004, Beltran hit .417 with four home runs and four steals over seven games ina series loss to the Cardinals. Two years later, as a much wealthier member ofthe Mets, Beltran again experienced personal success but collective failure. Hehit .296 with three home runs in another seven-game series loss to none otherthan the same Cardinals in the 2006 NLCS. Fast-forward another six years, andBeltran is a member of the team that he watched celebrate a World Series berthafter two separate losing efforts in Game 7 and is 27 outs away from his firstFall Classic appearance. Beltrans manager, former Giant and Cardinal Mike Matheny,isnt worried about his No. 2 hitters mindset heading into Game 7 No. 3.This is one laid-back guy, Matheny said before Mondaysseries-deciding game at AT&T Park. Sometimes youve got to look out thereto see if hes awake. And then the next thing you know he just silently makes avery nice play or does something big at the plate. Not that the effort is notthere. Thats just how he is. Thats his makeup.Beltrans makeup was often questioned by the sports radiocall-in crowd after his brief Giants career included a stint on the disabledlist with a wrist injury and his best production at the plate came with theDiamondbacks already in control of the division. The Giants acquired Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera instead of bringing backBeltran over the offseason and the Cardinals swooped in to sign the 35-year-oldoutfielder at a bargain basement price. The move paid immediate dividends whenBeltran was red-hot out of the gate. After asecond-half slump, Beltran is back to raking in the postseason. But like in2004 and 2006, his personal numbers will be overlooked if hes involved inanother Game 7 loss.I know without question hes excited about this opportunity,Matheny said. He made a statement after we won Game 5 in Washington about howmuch it means for him to get to the World Series. So hes said that, but as faras how he shows up, today he looked like the same guy and so does everybodyelse who walked through the doors. And I think thats part of the magic of thisclub. They just show up the same every day. Carlos is no different. He knowsthat that sets him up, sets himself up for more likelihood of success.Matt Holliday was scratched from Mathenys lineup prior toGame 6 with back tightness and postgame reports suggested that he might missGame 7 as well. But the Cardinals slugger, and Public Enemy No. 1 in SanFrancisco after his late takeout slide of Marco Scutaro in Game 2, is all setto bat third in the deciding game Monday.Theyve been working on him nonstop, Matheny said. Hefeels much better and were confident that hes not just going to be out there,but be able to be productive.When Beltran left Game 3 with an injury, Matt Carpenter got the call off thebench and delivered a game-changing big fly off Matt Cain. The home run offthe Giants Game 7 starter made Carpenter 5-for-5 lifetime against Cain. Howdid Matheny justify keeping Carpenter out of the starting lineupMonday?We dont deny what Matts been able to do against Cain, butif anything does happen with any of our guys along the way, weve got a goodoption.Giants manager Bruce Bochy hasnt been shy about telling his starters to beready out of the bullpen if needed this postseason. Though his bullpen is wellrested, Matheny is following suit.Adam Wainwright would be available and so would Lance Lynn, Matheny said.The two of them would definitely be ready to go. Its all hands on deck rightnow.
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