He's a hit: Larry Walker has given an already powerful Cardinals offense a boost while fitting in nicely in the clubhouse.(Division Series)

Then the Cardinals acquired Larry Walker on August 6, he seemed like a luxury item. They already possessed a loaded lineup, not to mention a 9 1/2-game lead in the National League Central. But now that the team is in the playoffs, Walker is more of a necessity. If the Cardinals are to parlay the best record in baseball into a championship, they likely will have to do it by pounding their way through October.

St. Louis' rotation blends into the scenery--fittingly, Woody Williams slid on a muted camouflage-patterned shirt after beating the Dodgers in Game 1 of the Division Series. Though the bullpen is a strength, it is the offense that led this team to 105 regular-season wins and gives it hope for its first title in 22 years.

With Walker, the Cardinals have a relentless attack, a lineup card loaded with offensive riches. A former MVP and three-time batting champion, Walker hits second in front of Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and Edgar Renteria. "There's no way an opposing pitcher can let up--even blink," says Williams.

"Walker was a pretty interesting piece to add to the two spot," says Dodgers manager Jim Tracy. "What he did was add additional depth to what already was a very good offensive team. There's a lot more to Larry Walker than what he does with the bat. He's a terrific defensive outfielder. He's as good a baserunner as there is in our league."

In the deciding Game 4 of the NLDS, Walker, who hit .280 with 11 home runs in the regular season with the Cardinals, was on base four times and scored three runs. He was the star of Game 1, hitting two of his team's five home runs. In Game 2, he had an RBI double and--quite willingly--was hit by a pitch. Walker says that's his primary job--simply get on base and set up his big-hitting teammates.

But the Cardinals need Walker to be more than just a table-setter, especially because Rolen, who is bothered by a calf injury and went hitless in the Division Series, isn't his usual self. For the Cardinals to advance to the World Series, their offense has to crank out runs to make up for the shortcomings in the rotation.

Williams and Jeff Suppan are reliable--and were better than that against the Dodgers--but it's not as though they are Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling. Jason Marquis, whose sinker has quit sinking, has wilted after a breakout regular season in which he won 15 games. Projecting Matt Morris' starts is like forecasting the weather; who really knows what you're going to get? And Chris Carpenter, the team's best starter all season, might not pitch in the postseason because of a biceps injury.