Nationals vs. Cardinals Live Stream: Watch NLCS Game 1 Online, TV Channel, Time

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

After two remarkable, yet completely different Game 5 wins on the road, the Nationals and Cardinals begin the National League Championship Series on Friday in St. Louis. Washington clinched its first-ever NLCS berth on Wednesday, while the Cardinals earned their first since 2014. Let the drama and excitement begin.

How to Watch NLCS Game 1:

When: Friday, Oct. 11

Time: 8:08 p.m. EDT

TV Channel: TBS

Live Stream: fuboTV (try for free)

You couldn’t have scripted a better comeback victory. Down 3-0 for much of Game 5 on Wednesday against the Dodgers, the Nationals stormed back to score seven unanswered runs thanks in part to a 10th-inning grand slam by Howie Kendrick to secure a 7-3 win. Dodgers fans may have been shocked, but not the Nationals, who continued to believe. Kendrick had his fair share of miscues during the series, but manager Dave Martinez stuck with him. After the game, Kendrick said it was the best moment of his career.

Veteran right-hander Aníbal Sánchez will start against the Cardinals in Game 1 of the NLCS. The 35-year-old Sanchez started Washington's 10-4 loss to the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS. He tossed five innings, limiting the Dodgers to one run on four hits, along with two walks and nine strikeouts. The Nationals lineup, while well-rounded, is all about its potential with MVP Anthony Rendon and 20-year-old Juan Soto, both of whom hit home runs in Wednesday’s clincher. Rendon had 34 home runs on the year with a .319 batting average, while Soto has shined in the playoffs in what is legitimately one of the best starts to a career ever.

However, don’t sleep on the Cardinals. After being on the brink of elimination in Game 4, the team came out swinging from the first pitch in Game 5 and never looked back in a 13-1 win on Wednesday. A 10-run first inning set a major league record for most runs scored in the first inning of a playoff game. The team also scored as many runs (13) by the third inning as they had in the previous four games of the series combined.

Right-handers Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright will start Games 1 and 2. The two veteran starters performed well at home this season, as Wainwright went 9-4 with 2.56 ERA in 16 starts and Mikolas went 5-6 with a 3.01 ERA over his 15 home starts. Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson will start for the Cards on the road in Games 3 and 4. Mikolas went five innings during his start in Game 1 of the NLDS, holding the Braves to one run on three hits and two walks.

NLCS Schedule:

Game 2: Oct. 12 at 4:08 p.m. ET on TBS

Game 3: Oct. 14, TBD on TBS

Game 4: Oct. 15, TBD on TBS

* Game 5: Oct. 16 on TBS

* Game 6: Oct. 18 on TBS

* Game 7: Oct. 19 on TBS

* If necessary