Matt Harrison (1-1, 5.02) vs. probably Chris Carpenter (3-0, 3.30).
Holy smokes! It's the first World Series Game 7 in SoSG history! I have to say, I was pulling for the Rangers, but after last night's stunning Game 6, I just want another incredible game no matter the outcome. Is that too much to ask before baseball goes into deep freeze?
photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Chris Carpenter (3-0, 3.52) vs. C.J. Wilson (0-3, 7.17).
We're getting (at least) a Game 6! Derek Holland's heroic performance yesterday leaves the series tied at two and ensures a return trip to St. Louis. And we've got an ace-versus-ace matchup to determine who will have a happy flight. It's almost last call for baseball in 2011 — enjoy!
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Edwin Jackson (1-0, 5.84). vs. Derek Holland (1-0, 5.27).
"The Cardinals and Rangers have scored a total of eight runs in their first two games. Expect them to exceed that in Game 3 alone," I wrote yesterday. Game 3's total runs? 23. Herewith:
1. Um, fewer than twenty-three total runs. Pujols fewer than three homers. Going out on a limb here.
2. A former Dodger (Jackson? Furcal? Theriot? Beltre?) does something productive, annoying Dodger fans everywhere.
3. Shot of Nolan Ryan with MASSIVE TENSION HEADACHE.
4. Yadier Molina signs an endorsement deal with Maybelline eyeliner.
5. Ogando vs. Craig (Part 4) settled by arm wrestling.
photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Kyle Lohse (0-2, 7.45) vs. Matt Harrison (1-0, 4.22).
Nice to see the Rangers tie the series up with some genuine AL-style offense: bloop singles, stolen bases and sac flies. If the opening rounds of the playoffs were all about power, then the World Series has been about pitching — until tonight. The Cardinals and Rangers have scored a total of eight runs in their first two games. Expect them to exceed that in Game 3 alone.
Colby Lewis (1-1, 3.86) vs. Jaime Garcia (0-2, 5.74).
So where's all that vaunted offense? I didn't swallow all that hype about Pujols and Hamilton and Freese and Cruz just to watch six solid innings from each starter and largely effective bullpens. I want to see slugging and stolen bases and weeping pitchers. Hit it!
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C.J. Wilson (0-2, 8.04) vs. Chris Carpenter (2-0, 3.71).
Here we are, at the beginning of the end of the line. Well, it's all right, since there are no Giants, Phillies, Yankees or Red Sox in sight. Sure, the Rangers appeared in the World Series last year, and the Cardinals won it in 2006, but we're talking two teams outside the top ten in Opening Day payroll. Me, I'm pulling for the team in red.
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Edwin Jackson (1-0, 3.48) vs. Shaun Marcum (0-2, 12.46).
Who will face the Rangers in the World Series? The Brewers have lost only one game at home this postseason, but they'll have to win two straight to earn the right to face Texas. And Shaun Marcum, who had a solid regular season but who has been disastrous in the playoffs so far, has to show up today. Oh, and the defense can't make four errors. That kind of stuff kind of makes it harder to not lose.
Max Scherzer (1-0, 2.70) vs. Derek Holland (1-0, 4.00).
ALCS Game 6 today and NLCS Game 6 tomorrow (and possibly ALCS Game 7). It's gonna be a good baseball weekend, so line up your beverages, sit back and enjoy!
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Zack Greinke (1-0, 8.18) vs. Jaime Garcia (0-2, 7.36).
The Brewers won yesterday, tying the series at two apiece and ensuring a return trip to Miller Park before this NLCS is over. Starter Zach Greinke gets a chance to back up his trash-talk, and the Cardinals get a chance to use ten billion relief pitchers in one game. photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Hard to believe Texas can wrap up the ALCS today — this postseason is positively zooming by compared to last year. Meanwhile, the Brewers are in a bit of a pickle, down 2-1 and starting the thus-far ineffective Wolf. Expect the losing clubhouses to be stocked with plenty of fried chicken and beer.
Matt Harrison (1-0, 4.76) vs. Rick Porcello (0-1, 4.50).
photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Colby Lewis (1-0, 1.50) vs. Doug Fister (1-1, 6.52).
Uh, I think Texas has the momentum in this one. Yesterday, an extra-innings walkoff grand slam by Nelson Cruz — his second of the game — gave the Rangers a 2-0 series lead, and the psychological edge. The Tigers return to the comfort of Comerica Park, but is it enough with Justin Verlander not scheduled to pitch again until Game 5?
photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Rangers and Brewers have the momentum, and things just got worse for the Tigers: Magglio Ordonez is out for the rest of the postseason with a broken ankle. And Yuniesky Betancourt hit a home run for the Brewers, for Joe Posnanski's sake. Can Detroit and St. Louis get back to pole position? Prepare to qualify!
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It's the Philly killers versus the Snake wranglers, with Pujols & Co. taking on the Beer Plushies. Zack Greinke has provided the bulletin board material, while some are positioning this NL Central matchup as old school vs. new school. And stay tuned as the Rangers look to take another game, rain-aided or not, from the Tigers. Fight!
UPDATE: ALCS Game 2 has been postponed to tomorrow at 1 p.m.
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Justin Verlander (1-0, 5.00) vs. C.J. Wilson (0-1, 10.80).
Welcome to a Yankees-free ALCS! The Tigers will ride certain Cy Young winner Justin Verlander against a Rangers team that boasts two Southern California ones-that-got-away: former Dodger Adrian Beltre and former Angel Mike Napoli. The Rangers, sans Cliff Lee, are undoubtedly out to prove last year's World Series loss to the Giants was a fluke. The Tigers are trying to remind Detroit natives the Lions aren't the only game in town. Joust!
Now that the Tigers have restored sanity to the baseball universe by knocking the Yankees out of the playoffs, it's time for the Cardinals to take out those punk-ass Phillies (sorry, Dusty!) and for the Brewers to put a stop to the Snakes' hot streak. Unlike yesterday, every team is trotting out a Quality Starter™. No cookies today!
Doug Fister (0-1, 11.57) vs. Ivan Nova (1-0, 2.84).
Let's hear it for three LDS Game Fives! The first of the three is played this evening, with two AL powerhouses starting...a pitcher who began the year with the Mariners versus a rookie who spent part of the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre? Let's hear it for competitive balance!
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photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Weather permitting, there's a solid twelve-plus hours of baseball for you to soak in today. So hook up that beer IV line and turn off your brain!
