Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NLCS Game 3: Brewers at Cardinals

US Presswire photo
Albert Pujols was a man among boys in Game 2.
This has become a postseason known for some pretty darn dramatic baseball. Unfortunately, it's also become a postseason known for some pretty annoying rain delays. First pitch for Game 4 of the ALCS in Detroit today was delayed more than two hours, and (guess what?) there's precipitation in St. Louis as well! For now, they're expecting Game 3 of the NLCS to begin on time at 8:05 p.m., but everyone will be keeping one eye on the radar.

This is the premier pitching matchup of the series, with aces Chris Carpenter and Yovani Gallardo dueling one another in a game that should set the course for the rest of the LCS. Game 3's of tied series are always big, but this one in particular seems critical for both clubs.

Only one lineup change for this one, as Ron Roenicke has benched Nyjer (.150 postseason average) Morgan. Tony Plush was benched, however, not for regular platoon mate Carlos Gomez but instead for veteran Mark Kotsay. Interesting...

NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - GAME 3
MILWAUKEE BREWERS at ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Busch Stadium
Gametime: 8:05 p.m.
TV: TBS
Radio: WTEM (980 AM), WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), XM 185
Weather: Chance of storms, 65 degrees, Wind 4 mph out to CF
STARTING LINEUPS
BREWERS
RF Corey Hart
CF Mark Kotsay
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
2B Rickie Weeks
3B Jerry Hairston
SS Yuniesky Betancourt
C Jonathan Lucroy
P Yovani Gallardo

CARDINALS
SS Rafael Furcal
CF Jon Jay
1B Albert Pujols
LF Matt Holliday
RF Lance Berkman
C Yadier Molina
3B David Freese
2B Nick Punto
P Chris Carpenter

14 comments:

gonatsgo said...

Brewers manager cited Nyger's hitting struggles for the bench time - yeah, sure, it has nothing at all to do with Carpenter on the mound ( wink,wink).

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you.

FS said...

there is nothing wrong with wanting to avoid on-field controversy. Riggs did it and it made sense in 2010.

Gonat said...

I was so looking forward to high and tight pitches to that POS Nyjer Morgan.

gonatsgo said...

FS -don't blame the manager at all. He really doesn't want Braun or Fielder to pay for any of Nygers antics. Besides that - he's just not playing well, even defensively.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

jonatsjo and jonats, you're doyng that on purpose, aren't you?

baseballswami said...

Braun got hit but no warnings - pretty obvious it was unintentional. Milwaukee screwed up a big chance in the first.

baseballswami said...

The cardinals are absolutely sizzling hot in the post season. They have thrown cold water on the Brewers, who were previously the hot team.

natsfan1a said...

Yeah, the rain delays are a bear, not to mention the pitching changes.

Well, at least one of the teams for whom I am rooting ended up with a (not curly) W in the books tonight. Maybe the rally squirrel could do a cameo at Comerica Park tomorrow? The Tigers could use some mojo.

Gonat said...

Sec3, I'm not gonatsgo. If you are on spellcheck, I spelled Morgan's 1st name correctly.

Dawn said...

natsfan1a; It was a fun, exhausting and frustrating night at the game in Detroit. Really thought the Tigers mojo had returned with that game-tying homerun by Inge, Comerica was rocking! ....

Honestly? Starting with Magglio's injury my hopes were sinking in the ability of the Tigers to pull this series off. As we rolled into our driveway at three o'clock this morning we were still muttering "What if......One more chance tonight.

natsfan1a said...

It must have been quite the scene, Dawn! I'll be rooting for your Tigers again today, of course. They've really been bitten by the injury bug. Whatever happens, I'm happy for the city that the team has advanced this far. Knocking out the Yanks in the first round = priceless. Thanks for that, boys, and good luck to you! :-)

natsfan1a said...

In other news, lol at this letter from the Busch squirrel's lawyer.

FS said...

WOW Astros to AL? inter-league all year? I don't care about first one, but dislike the second one very much.

source: mlbtraderumors

Post a Comment