One big key to the legendary career that will almost surely land Albert Pujols in the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2028? Preparation.

¡°If I didn¡¯t do my homework at the time, I probably wouldn¡¯t have the success,¡± Pujols told former Phillies standouts Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins on the latest episode of the ¡°6-1-1¡± podcast series.

Advance research, in fact, played a major role in two of the most memorable postseason home runs in recent history. The stars who hit them -- Pujols and 14-year MLB outfielder Dexter Fowler -- broke down the big homers in depth with Howard and Rollins in an episode you won¡¯t want to miss.

Pujols¡¯ game-changing three-run homer off Astros closer Brad Lidge in Game 5 of the 2005 National League Championship Series? According to the former Cardinals, Angels and Dodgers slugger, knowing Lidge¡¯s tendencies down pat and having the foresight to predict which pitch was coming slowed the game to what felt like a complete standstill -- like a television on pause.

¡°That¡¯s how it was,¡± Pujols said. ¡°I saw the homer before I even made contact.¡±

Motivation, of course, plays a role, too. Pujols said he was determined to get one final at-bat in the ninth inning after he glanced at a confident Astros dugout earlier in the game and didn¡¯t like what he saw.

For Fowler, meanwhile, an untimely champagne purchase from Cleveland¡¯s side during the 2016 World Series helped spur the Cubs center fielder to greatness. But it wasn¡¯t just Game 7 starter Corey Kluber whom Fowler studied -- it was home-plate umpire Sam Holbrook and his strike-calling tendencies as well.

¡°I said, ¡®I hope this is right, because if this is right, that pitcher¡¯s in trouble,¡¯¡± Fowler recalled on 6-1-1.

Kluber, of course, certainly was in trouble -- and the rest was history.

To relive Pujols¡¯ and Fowler¡¯s huge home runs in greater depth, watch the full episode of 6-1-1 on MLB.com and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.