WATCH Cubs vs. Cardinals Online Live Stream: ALDS Playoffs Game 1, MLB 2015 Playoffs

The 2015 MLB playoffs are fast approaching - and things are finally heating-up!

The Chicago Cubs take the field against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the [post] regular season NLDS on Friday, October 9 at 6:45 p.m. EST at Busch Stadium in Missouri. Read on to see where fans can watch and listen to a live stream of the pre-playoff ballgame online - also catch up-to-date feeds and coverage on highlight plays and scores.

So, does Chicago or St. Louis hold the edge in ESPN.com's updated break-down of all 30 teams (power rankings), now that both teams are competing for the title of National League champ?

Cubs (4): "The Cubs finished the season with 97 wins, the most for the franchise since 2008. The average age of the 2008 team was 30.2 years old. The average age of the 2015 Cubs is 26.7 years old. The future is here and the window for a World Series title is now open." Joe Aiello, View from the Bleachers 

Chicago currently maintains an impressive 97-65 winning record and finished 3rd in the National League Central Division (after managing to snag the Wild Card over the Pittrburgh Pirates).

Cardinals (1): "The Cardinals finally clinched the NL Central title against the feisty Pirates to claim their third 100-win season in the last 12 years. Adam Wainwright also returned to the pitching staff, but Yadier Molina may not be back in time for the playoffs." Matt Philip, Fungoes 

With that, St. Louis holds an awesome 100-62 winning record and cinched the 1st spot in the National League Central Division.

Fun fact from Sports On Earth's Will Leitch (via CBS Sports):

It just never quite works out for those two, being competitive at the same time. Since 1996, the Cardinals have only missed the postseason seven times: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The Cubs have made the postseason four times since 1996, and every single one of them was during a season the Cardinals missed: 1998, 2003, 2007 and 2008. It's like they're purposely trying to avoid each other.

Tonight's monumental ballgame will be broadcasted live on local sports channel TBS.

For a complete list of current standings and scores for the regular 2015 season, check out the official MLB website. Keep up-to-date with current ALDS and NLDS standings here, and also view the official playoff schedule here.

For fans who want to try out a free live stream (which may mean downloading a torrent), click here. Or try this other option...

ESPN, MLB Scoreboard, SBNation, and MLB TV are both good sources for up-to-date game coverage and feeds.

For additional team radio station affiliates: Cubs and Cardinals.

And official MLB team websites: Cubs and Cardinals.

Enjoy the highly-anticipated pre-playoff game, and always stick with MstarsNews for additional post-season MLB coverage.

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