Sunday, October 23, 2011

World Series Game 4: Cardinals at Rangers

US Presswire photo
Albert Pujols had a performance for the ages last night in Game 3.
When you're one of only three players in baseball to do something, and when the other two guys are named Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson, it's safe to say you've done something special. Actually, there's an argument to be made that Albert Pujols last night produced the greatest offensive performance in World Series history, not only homering three times to match The Babe and Mr. October but amassing a series-record 14 total bases.

So the question now is: What can the Rangers possibly do to contain this guy? And will it even matter? Certainly, Texas faces a daunting challenge tonight, now trailing the series 2-1 and staring at a virtual must-win scenario in Game 4. Yes, they'd still be mathematically alive if they lose tonight. But it's tough to see them winning three straight, the final two on the road.

So the pressure's on Derek Holland, the Rangers' Game 4 starter, to put forth some quality innings tonight. After burning up their bullpen last night, the Rangers simply can't afford another brief outing from their starter...

107th WORLD SERIES - GAME 4
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS at TEXAS RANGERS
Where: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Gametime: 8:05 p.m.
TV: Fox
Radio: WTEM (980 AM), WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), XM 89
Weather: Clear, 75 degrees, Wind 6 mph LF to RF
STARTING LINEUPS
CARDINALS
SS Rafael Furcal
RF Allen Craig
1B Albert Pujols
LF Matt Holliday
DH Lance Berkman
3B David Freese
C Yadier Molina
CF Jon Jay
2B Nick Punto
(P Edwin Jackson)

RANGERS
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
CF Josh Hamilton
DH Michael Young
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
C Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland
(P Derek Holland)

13 comments:

natsfan1a said...

Like I said, do it for Torty, boys!

Waddu eye no said...

Anyone know th single game rbi record ? For series games that is.

Another_Sam said...

OFF TOPIC -- There's an article in today's NYT sports section about efforts to locate the exact postion of the field in Griffith Stadium. Apparently there's a marker in for home plate in a corridor in Howard University Hospital, but the consensus is that the marker is not in the right place.

ON TOPIC - I wonder if anyone is ever going to question Albert again on showing up or skipping interviews?

Just wonderin' said...

Another_Sam said: ON TOPIC - I wonder if anyone is ever going to question Albert again on showing up or skipping interviews?
-------------------------

I suspect LaRussa is asking the St. Louis beat writers to do just that before each of the remaining games...

Eugene in Oregon said...

So, it's the top of the first. Who's up in the bullpens?

baseballswami said...

Eugene - ah, come on, they can go at least three!

baseballswami said...

Sorry, Eugene, I was wrong - Edwin Jackson is in trouble already.....

Eugene in Oregon said...

In the 'amusing but meaningless" category, Bleacher Report has the Nats in the 2015 World Series, with Zimmerman playing 1B and Rendon playing 3B:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/906487-mlb-predictions-the-lineups-and-rotations-of-the-next-10-world-series-teams/page/8

You'll find that the Nats' opponent will be Yankees, led by #1 pitcher Tim Lincecum.

Gonat said...

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/anatomy-of-a-baseball-trade-10202011.html

Details of text messages between the Braves and Astros to do the Bourn trade

Anonymous said...

Edwin Jackson is a lot like H-Rod. Maybe with the right coaching he could be amazing.

He had a 3.9 WAR in 2011. I expect Mike Rizzo will sign him and add him as competition to the starting rotation ... along with a trade for Zach Grienke.

If the Nats sign Pujols the Phillies crumble to dust. I am fairly certain many here would enjoy that that way too much.

Ignore bleacher report nonsense. Nats could play in the series as soon as 2012, the purported end of days. ;)

natsfan1a said...

Well, I stayed up for the whole thing again. Thank the baseball g*ds for off days.

The heart-to-heart with the skipper must have done the trick, because the mustache kid pitched a heck of a game in that bandbox. Unfortunately for him, he evidently couldn't convince in the second tete-a-tete, because he didn't get to finish it out, not with the big boys coming up. On the other hand, Jackson was in and out of trouble the whole game, and it caught up with him eventually. Wonder what tonight's game will bring? (And how late it will go. Yawn.)

baseballswami said...

Going from 16-7 to a shutout that was 1-0 for a long time is why I continue to stay up way too late. This has been the craziest post season that I can remember and I have no idea what will happen next - don't think anyone else does either. Seven games, please!! The peach fuzz mustache makes me laugh.

Dawn said...

Got home from a disappointing football (Lions) game in time to watch the last four innings. Holland wimpy mustache and all pulled a gem out. Heard the mustache is a result of a bet with local radio guys, won't shave it until the Dallas Cowboys lose. He said while he has contemplated Rogaine he is in it for the long haul.

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