Since 2000 , it was their ninth NLCS appearance .
Despite the NLCS defeat , the Cardinals already had four consecutive LCS appearances , the first team to do so since the New York Yankees from 1998 -- 2001 in the American League Championship Series .
Since 2000 , it was Cardinals ' NLCS NLCS appearance .
Despite the NLCS defeat , the Cardinals already had four consecutive LCS appearances , the first team to do so since the New York Yankees from 1998 -- 2001 in the American League Championship Series .