PHOENIX - They compare their walks along a trail of tears and then check those still standing. Whether the National League Division Series between the Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks is decided on emotion or mere talent, their matchup is compelling.

The NL Central champion Cardinals start Matt Morris in Tuesday night's Game 1 at Bank One Ballpark while the defending world champions counter with four-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson.

"We've been to the top of the mountain, and we know what to expect," Johnson said. "You take it one step at a time . . . and we know they're playing with a lot of heart and passion. We'll have our hands full."

Said Morris, so drained by the season that he couldn't appear in the All-Star Game but now solid: "Obviously, there are some things that went on this year. People look at us and say, `Oh, a team of destiny.' But it's not always a fairy-tale ending in the end.

"We'll go out and battle. Some of the stuff we've been through this season is going to make us tough."

Much of baseball roots for the Cardinals. A team that seemed on the brink of emotional collapse after the June 22 death of pitcher Darryl Kile instead recovered for its most wins in 17 seasons. The defending world champion Diamondbacks also have been tormented by serious injuries to second baseman Craig Counsell, left fielder Luis Gonzalez and lefthanded reliever Brian Andersen, all of whom possess significant postseason credentials.

"We've had a couple bad streaks this year," Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly said. "We always seem to right the ship."

The Diamondbacks righted it last October to beat the Cardinals in a stirring five-game series. They then went on to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

The Diamondbacks are Johnson and Curt Schilling fronting a well-tailored lineup. The Cardinals are an imposing lineup with bruised starting pitching and an efficient bullpen.

The Cardinals are a different team than the one that staggered through a losing April that included a three-game series in Phoenix. They finished the season as their league's hottest team.

Likewise, the Diamondbacks are a different club than the one that roared to a 78-45 start, finishing in a 14-17 skid. They led the league in runs scored but withered in their last matchup with the Cardinals, who won four of their six games this season.

"I can't even remember seeing them in April," said Brenly, whose club brutalized the Cardinals while taking two out of three April 15-17. "They're a typical Tony La Russa ballclub. They play the game right. They do a lot of things well. They've got guys in the bullpen to play matchups late. They've got speed on the bases and on defense."

Added Brenly: "They are probably the most versatile team in baseball in terms of guys playing more than one position and giving Tony the option of moving guys all around the field."

The series requires five days to play its first three games. The format benefits the Diamondbacks' three-man rotation but also helps the Cardinals protect sore-shouldered closer Jason Isringhausen, who isn't considered a sure bet to appear on consecutive days.

"Our big attitude is to take care of our best competitive chance, not theirs," La Russa said. "There are things in that set-up that work for us in a positive way as well."

The Cardinals (97-65) seemed to crest with a 21-6 September in which they did not lose a series.

Conversely, the Diamondbacks left St. Louis on Sept. 25 on a season-high six-game losing streak.

"It means when we smelled it, guys kept pushing," La Russa said of his team's September push. "But I remember how many wins Minnesota had in `87. I also know the club we're going to play is going to have one more win than we do. Atlanta has more than that and San Francisco is in the 90's. That tells me everyone is pretty good."

While Woody Williams was attempting a failed bullpen session, Gonzalez underwent surgery Monday to repair the left shoulder he separated against the Cardinals on Sept. 23. Gonzalez remains the only Diamondbacks hitter with at least 90 RBIs and more than 25 home runs. Following his loss, the Diamondbacks (98-64) almost blew home-field advantage before regaining it with a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies.

"I think if we'd lost home-field advantage, it would have been a setback because that was something we never considered losing," Johnson said. "But we never considered losing six games in a row either. We just have to play well."

La Russa said: "Whatever the record of the series, it's going to be 0-0. If we had opened (in St. Louis) instead of (Arizona), it would be a small edge. But when you're playing a short series, I'd like to take the small edge. That's something they'd have to overcome. Now it's something we have to overcome."

The Diamondbacks own the major leagues' best home record (55-26) while the Cardinals rallied from a poor start to finish with the third-most road wins (45) in the National League.

A more significant factor may be Johnson's and Schilling's career frustration against the Redbirds. The Cardinals are the only National League team to have a winning record over both pitchers. Johnson carries a 5-6 regular-season record against them and Schilling has a 5-9 mark that includes a 6-1 beating Sept. 25. Schilling departed St. Louis admittedly "frustrated."

And that was before last October's World Series co-MVP was jumped for three runs in one curious inning of relief Sunday.

"To have a little confidence going into the playoffs is one thing. To say we can come in here and relax is another thing," said Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds. "If we play the way we've been playing, we should have a good series. But once a playoff starts, you never know what's going to happen."

A year ago, Schilling christened the Diamondbacks "Destiny's Team." This time, both clubs will wait to label themselves.

"As far as who's overcome more, that story's for somebody else to write," said Johnson, who co-authors the first act beginning Tuesday night.