World Series: Texas Rangers vs St. Louis Cardinals

[Sam I Am]

I so much would have preferred the Brewers. They are young and inexperienced. ...which is exactly why they lost to the Cardinals. The Cardinals have a lot of experience and an highly experienced manager in La Russa to boot.

This should be a battle. I wish the Rangers had home field. The DH would be a huge advantage for the Rangers.

Go Rangers!

[Yeagermeister]

Once the Yankees and Phillies lost it hasn't mattered to me who won. :D

[Garland powerplay]

Agreed the STL Cardinals are scary and was hoping Brewers won. Cardinals are solid. The infield isnt the great premier players but they do have hall of famer Puholtz.

[Sam I Am]

Agreed the STL Cardinals are scary and was hoping Brewers won. Cardinals are solid. The infield isnt the great premier players but they do have hall of famer Puholtz.

Pooholtz? :laugh2:

[Sam I Am]

Once the Yankees and Phillies lost it hasn't mattered to me who won. :D

What? Are you like the frontrunner fans? :muttley:

[Yeagermeister]

What? Are you like the frontrunner fans? :muttley:

Nope my team wasn't in the playoffs so I was rooting for whoever was playing NY and Philly. :laugh2:

[Sam I Am]

Nope my team wasn't in the playoffs so I was rooting for whoever was playing NY and Philly. :laugh2:

Ahh I see. Who is your team btw? Reds?

[Yeagermeister]

Ahh I see. Who is your team btw? Reds?

Yup :o:

[BraveHeartFan]

GO RANGERS!

Man I am pumped and I sure hope they bring it hope this year.

[Garland powerplay]

Rangers have momentum now and experience of last year ,alot like last year they hit a buzz saw in National League. They are facing a veteran team and mgr. with tons of experience. The media could bring up La Russa found snoring at a red light during spring training w/ alcohol binge to distract them. Also the late entrance of Puholtz due to contract negotiation during spring training.

[8FOR!3]

I wonder if we can steal game one?

[Sam I Am]

I wonder if we can steal game one?

Steal? I hope we pound Carpenter for 8 runs! :laugh2:

The real question is, will CJ ever right the ship during the playoffs? So far he is has been god awful. So far he is 0-2 and has an 8.04 ERA, with 8 walks, and a WHIP of 1.85 and giving up a .318 BA with a .400 OBP and 6 HRs and 14 ERs over 15.2 innings.

He is literally making entire teams have higher offensive numbers than some of the best hitters in baseball.

Only pitcher pitching worse is Uehara.

:puke:

[thewireman]

I like that the Rangers don't have home field. If the Rangers can get 1 win in St Louis then the Rangers will have 3 home games in a row to try to win it all.

[reddyuta]

Steal? I hope we pound Carpenter for 8 runs! :laugh2:

The real question is, will CJ ever right the ship during the playoffs? So far he is has been god awful. So far he is 0-2 and has an 8.04 ERA, with 8 walks, and a WHIP of 1.85 and giving up a .318 BA with a .400 OBP and 6 HRs and 14 ERs over 15.2 innings.

He is literally making entire teams have higher offensive numbers than some of the best hitters in baseball.

Only pitcher pitching worse is Uehara.

:puke:

they are talking about a $100 million deal for him this off-season,that seems so far away now.Nobody will give him that kind of money if he continues to be bad in the post season.

[Garland powerplay]

Wilson is not presenting much of a case for hisself,on another note the Rangers beat the CY Young winner and can beat any St. Louis pitcher

[Sam I Am]

You never know. There are rumors the Rangers might go after CC (http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7098230/texas-rangers-pursue-cc-sabathia-opts-source-says) if he opts out and probably just let CJ go. CC is a lot more stable than CJ is.

[Stautner]

I'm not convinced CJ will just go to the highest bidder. I wouldn't expect him to leave a ton of money on the table, but I think if the Rangers at least stay somewhere in the ballpark CJ would choose to stay. That may be wishful thinking or trying to read something into a player that isn't there, but I suspect CJ is the kind of guy that is going to put a lot of weight on how much he enjoys where and who he currently plays with.

[TheCoolFan]

Gonna be tough. The Cardinals have solid starting pitching and the best bullpen we've seen so far. It won't get any easier going from Miguel Cabrera to Albert Pujols. Just gotta hope we can play NL Baseball...the Cardinals are the prototypical NL team.

As for CC, I doubt he'd want to come here. The Rangers will probably make a strong push for him but it's his choice at the end of the day. I don't see him wanting to play in the south.

[Sam I Am]

I'm not convinced CJ will just go to the highest bidder. I wouldn't expect him to leave a ton of money on the table, but I think if the Rangers at least stay somewhere in the ballpark CJ would choose to stay. That may be wishful thinking or trying to read something into a player that isn't there, but I suspect CJ is the kind of guy that is going to put a lot of weight on how much he enjoys where and who he currently plays with.

I think if CJ goes to the Yankees he will crumble under the pressure of playing there.

[REDVOLUTION]

Reds.


Yup :o:



I want to take this time to THANK YOU!



Thank you for Paul O'Neill. :p: :D





Oh, and I think I am finally going to be right in this 2011 playoffs.


Texas loses in 5 to Cardinals. Further chasing the Buffalo Bills consecutive loss streak in championships.

:laugh1:

[Tricericon]

Texas loses in 5 to Cardinals. Further chasing the Buffalo Bills consecutive loss streak in championships.

We'll chase it to six before losing. I think we can at least defend Arlington well enough for that...

[Sam I Am]

Texas loses in 5 to Cardinals. Further chasing the Buffalo Bills consecutive loss streak in championships.

:laugh1:
For the Yankees that would be almost a billion dollars worth of losing. ;)

[Sam I Am]

Rangers / Cardinals Position by Position (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111017&content_id=25689520&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

[Stautner]

We'll chase it to six before losing. I think we can at least defend Arlington well enough for that...

I certainly think the Series can go either way, but out of curiosity what is it that makes you believe will cause the Rangers to come up short?

[crazytown41]

I like the Cards in 6. Theyll have a fresh Carpenter for game 1. That's better than any pupu platter that the Rangers throw out there.

Cards have been best team in baseball since September. Don't see them stopping now

[Stautner]

I like the Cards in 6. Theyll have a fresh Carpenter for game 1. That's better than any pupu platter that the Rangers throw out there.

Cards have been best team in baseball since September. Don't see them stopping now

Carpenter didn't have as good a season as CJ, Harrison or Holland. He does have maturity and is likley to keep a cooler head, and that is certainly something of an edge, but I think he is getting a lot of mileage out of that one outstanding game where he outpitched Halliday. Other than that game Carpenter has been very hittable in the playoffs, and throughout the 2011 season was merely another good pitcher like CJ, Harrison, Holland and many others. If we can hit Verlander we can certainly hit Carpenter. Also keep in mind that Carpenter wont be pitching every game.

As for being a hot team, there is no doubt that is true, but the Rangers were no slouches in September, having run away with the West as the month went on. The Rangers also beat one of the hottest September teams around when the eliminated Tampa Bay.

Personally I think the series is a toss up.

[Sam I Am]

I like the Cards in 6. Theyll have a fresh Carpenter for game 1. That's better than any pupu platter that the Rangers throw out there.

Cards have been best team in baseball since September. Don't see them stopping now

Yeah, and Verlander was the best pitcher in baseball and he got beat. (damn near twice!)

The Rangers (throughout the season) have a better starting rotation than the Cards. They also have a better offensive lineup. The bullpen? Probably about even, though with Ogando in the bullpen, even that is arguable.

Will the Rangers win it all? Hell if I know. The only thing I know is this should be a fun series.

[crazytown41]

Yeah, and Verlander was the best pitcher in baseball and he got beat. (damn near twice!)

The Rangers (throughout the season) have a better starting rotation than the Cards. They also have a better offensive lineup. The bullpen? Probably about even, though with Ogando in the bullpen, even that is arguable.

Will the Rangers win it all? Hell if I know. The only thing I know is this should be a fun series.Yes, You guys beat Verlander in a game that was delayed twice and scored a whopping 3 runs. Congrats. :)

Last time I checked game 1 was in St.Louis. Not in that launching pad.

Cards in 6.

[cowboyeric8]

Yes, You guys beat Verlander in a game that was delayed twice and scored a whopping 3 runs. Congrats. :)

Last time I checked game 1 was in St.Louis. Not in that launching pad.

Cards in 6.

The runs before either delay

[Air Force One]

For some reason I just have a good feeling this time around. We are playing great baseball...it feels like it's our time. I'm fine with playing the Cardinals and La Russa. By beating him we gain even more respect, imo.

I'm really really pumped and ready for game 1 ....my dream is to sweep them in their ballpark and win it at home.:)

[cowboyeric8]

For some reason I just have a good feeling this time around. We are playing great baseball...it feels like it's our time. I'm fine with playing the Cardinals and La Russa. By beating him we gain even more respect, imo.

I'm really really pumped and ready for game 1 ....my dream is to sweep them in their ballpark and win it at home.:)

It's weird how little respect the Rangers get. All year they were an after thought.

[Tricericon]

I certainly think the Series can go either way, but out of curiosity what is it that makes you believe will cause the Rangers to come up short?

I'm rooting for them, and I never pick a team to win that I am rooting for. It always ends badly.

I hope you weren't expecting some insightful analysis here from me.

[Air Force One]

It's weird how little respect the Rangers get. All year they were an after thought.I think everyone thought we were a fluke last year. The respect we want will only come from winning it all now. If we lose this year they are going to start calling us chokers or losers.

Part of it I think is being in the shadow of the Cowboys. This is a traditionally football area and I think us doing well in baseball gives the national media an opportunity to look down their noses at us since the Yankees are kinda the Cowboys of baseball.

Of course even if we win the WS some still won't respect us but who cares, we will be world champions. :)

[cowboyeric8]

I think everyone thought we were a fluke last year. The respect we want will only come from winning it all now. If we lose this year they are going to start calling us chokers or losers.

Part of it I think is being in the shadow of the Cowboys. This is a traditionally football area and I think us doing well in baseball gives the national media an opportunity to look down their noses at us since the Yankees are kinda the Cowboys of baseball.

Of course even if we win the WS some still won't respect us but who cares, we will be world champions. :)

I'm a die hard Rangers fan. But I never expected what has happened these last two years. In a way I'm still in shock. Last year I was happy being AL Champs, heck I was happy winning a series. But now I want a World Series and I won't be near as happy as last year if we don't finish the job.

[Air Force One]

I'm a die hard Rangers fan. But I never expected what has happened these last two years. In a way I'm still in shock. Last year I was happy being AL Champs, heck I was happy winning a series. But now I want a World Series and I won't be near as happy as last year if we don't finish the job.
Oh I agree. It's still hard to wrap my head around Rangers and World Series being said in the same sentence. After so so many years of mediocrity it's crazy being where we are. I can't say I ever thought we would be here, especially two years in a row. I won't be happy either if we don't win it all. Last year I was just starstruck being in the World Series. I wanted to win it but I didn't want losing to take away from being there either. It was a big deal for us. This year, like you, I want it all. There isn't going to be any satisfaction from just getting to the World Series this time to make losing feel better. That said i'll still be proud of them. Repeating was a huge thing to do, but it's time we joined the list of teams that have won a World Series. Heck we may never get back in our lifetime.

[cowboyeric8]

Oh I agree. It's still hard to wrap my head around Rangers and World Series being said in the same sentence. After so so many years of mediocrity it's crazy being where we are. I can't say I ever thought we would be here, especially two years in a row. I won't be happy either if we don't win it all. Last year I was just starstruck being in the World Series. I wanted to win it but I didn't want losing to take away from being there either. It was a big deal for us. This year, like you, I want it all. There isn't going to be any satisfaction from just getting to the World Series this time to make losing feel better. That said i'll still be proud of them. Repeating was a huge thing to do, but it's time we joined the list of teams that have won a World Series. Heck we may never get back in our lifetime.

Took the words right out my mouth. That last sentence is exactly why I shelled out $350 for a nosebleed ticket last year. I didn't know if we would ever be back. Sadly I can't afford that now, I can't afford gas now, lol.

This is something I wish more Cowboys fans would understand. Championships are rare and hard to come by.

[windward]

I am going to Game 3! I can't wait for my flight Thursday night. It's the World Freaking Series!

Fri: Chill in Arlington
Sat: Game 3
Sun: Cowboys/Rams

Going to be a great weekend. :)

[cowboyeric8]

I am going to Game 3! I can't wait for my flight Thursday night. It's the World Freaking Series!

Fri: Chill in Arlington
Sat: Game 3
Sun: Cowboys/Rams

Going to be a great weekend. :)

Is it okay if I hate you?

[Air Force One]

Took the words right out my mouth. That last sentence is exactly why I shelled out $350 for a nosebleed ticket last year. I didn't know if we would ever be back. Sadly I can't afford that now, I can't afford gas now, lol.

This is something I wish more Cowboys fans would understand. Championships are rare and hard to come by.You got that right. If I'd known that the 1995-1996 SB was going to be our last, I'd have enjoyed it more. By that time though I was spoiled and thought that we would have many, many more to enjoy.

[Sam I Am]

Is it okay if I hate you?

I'm going to get on this bandwagon with you and hate him too. :laugh2:

[Sam I Am]

I'm a die hard Rangers fan. But I never expected what has happened these last two years. In a way I'm still in shock. Last year I was happy being AL Champs, heck I was happy winning a series. But now I want a World Series and I won't be near as happy as last year if we don't finish the job.

I didn't expect back to back World Series appearances, but I did expect to compete. I remember what the Rangers were doing back in the late 80s and early 90s when Bobby V was here. They were building a winner from within and then Tom Hicks bought the team and derailed the process by trying to buy a winner. When I heard they were trying to sign A-Rod at the winter meetings that year, I had a terrible sense of foreboding for the Rangers future.

The Rangers finally restarted the process around 5-6 years ago and this is where it took us. When I saw them doing that, I told my wife how excited I was and said we would finally compete again in a few years. She rolled her eyes at me and said, "okay, whatever you say."

Last year when we knocked out her Yankees, she didn't cry or get mad. She came up to me, kissed me and said. "You were right. The Rangers have arrived." She also said she would pull for them to win a championship. Of course they didn't that year. Hopefully this year. She is still pulling for them. :)

Go Rangers!

[Sam I Am]

Yes, You guys beat Verlander in a game that was delayed twice and scored a whopping 3 runs. Congrats. :)

Last time I checked game 1 was in St.Louis. Not in that launching pad.

Cards in 6.

Hi. Busch stadium is a launching pad too. (ie NOT a pitchers park) Thanks for playing! ;)

[Sam I Am]

Wow! Nolan Ryan told the media that the Rangers will win the World Series in six games! (http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/7116409/nolan-ryan-texas-rangers-beat-st-louis-cardinals-six-games)

I would not have guessed Nolan to openly say something like that to the media!

Nolan wrote the check, the Rangers better cash it! :laugh2:

[Stautner]

Yes, You guys beat Verlander in a game that was delayed twice and scored a whopping 3 runs. Congrats. :)

Last time I checked game 1 was in St.Louis. Not in that launching pad.

Cards in 6.

Apparently you have a few misconceptions. First, you seem to think Carpenter is somewhere near Verlander's level, when the reality is he wasn't even at CJ Wilson's level this season. He was more at the Matt Harrison level. Second, you seem to think that Carpenter has been a force in the playoffs, when the reality is he had one outstanding game and the others he didn't get past the 5th inning. Finally you seem to think one pitcher is all that matters without regard to the other 3-5 games that may be played in which he wont pitch.

As for not playing in a launching pad, that works both ways. Pujols/Berkman/Holiday get the same effect from hitter friendly or pitcher friendly parks that Hamilton/Cruz/Napoli/Beltre/Kinsler do. The Rangers still have more power top to bottom than St. Louis, so I don't see the problem.

I'm rooting for them, and I never pick a team to win that I am rooting for. It always ends badly.

I hope you weren't expecting some insightful analysis here from me.

I just assumed you might have thought the Cards were the better team in some area or another. Gut feelings are fine if that's what you are going with.

[Sam I Am]

The temperature could dip into the 30s (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/texas-rangers/post/_/id/4874292/cold-nights-await-rangers-in-st-louis) during the game.

[Mitcha68]

You got that right. If I'd known that the 1995-1996 SB was going to be our last, I'd have enjoyed it more. By that time though I was spoiled and thought that we would have many, many more to enjoy.

I enjoyed the heck out of those. That's why I don't totally get bent out of shape if the season doesn't end in a Super Bowl. What does get to me is consistently bad football.

[Tricericon]

I just assumed you might have thought the Cards were the better team in some area or another. Gut feelings are fine if that's what you are going with.

It's not really a "gut feeling" so much as me KNOWING my gut is biased and intentionally picking against it, more for fear of jinxing it as anything else. I am only superstitious when it comes to sports.

Anyway, my gut feeling says the Cards will be lucky if the series goes 5 games. Go Rangers!

[Stautner]

It's not really a "gut feeling" so much as me KNOWING my gut is biased and intentionally picking against it, more for fear of jinxing it as anything else. I am only superstitious when it comes to sports.

Anyway, my gut feeling says the Cards will be lucky if the series goes 5 games. Go Rangers!

Ahh, the reverse gut feeling.

[Air Force One]

I enjoyed the heck out of those. That's why I don't totally get bent out of shape if the season doesn't end in a Super Bowl. What does get to me is consistently bad football.Oh I did too. I guess the term I should have used is I took them for granted. After going to and winning the SB 3 out of 4 years I kinda forgot how hard it actually is to get there. Plus I was in my early twenties and at that age it's easy to take things for granted and now that I'm 40 I would really love just one SB win...I could really savor it and appreciate it.

I agree with you about the consistently bad football. That's exactly what's it's been....consistently bad. Sure there have been a few good spurts here and there but they always revert back.

[StylisticS]

I like the Cards in 6. Theyll have a fresh Carpenter for game 1. That's better than any pupu platter that the Rangers throw out there.

Cards have been best team in baseball since September. Don't see them stopping now

What makes you say that? In September, Texas went 19-6 and Detroit went 20-6. St. Louis went 18-8. Seems the two hottest teams entering the playoffs both met in the ALCS. Texas also defeated a great pitching staff in Tampa and defeated Shields while doing it. Texas also performed pretty well against Verlander. It's not like STL starting pitching has been all that great. Their bullpen is good, though.

[Stautner]

What makes you say that? In September, Texas went 19-6 and Detroit went 20-6. St. Louis went 18-8. Seems the two hottest teams entering the playoffs both met in the ALCS. Texas also defeated a great pitching staff in Tampa and defeated Shields while doing it. Texas also performed pretty well against Verlander. It's not like STL starting pitching has been all that great. Their bullpen is good, though.

I think he is looking at that great game Carpenter threw against Halliday in Game 5 of the NLDS and assuming that has been Carpenter's standard through the season and in the playoffs, and that simply is not the case. Carpenter is a good veteran pitcher, but he is nowhere near the level of guys like Halliday and Verlander who you expect dominance from every single outing.

[windward]

Is it okay if I hate you?

Hate away :)

[REDVOLUTION]

For the Yankees that would be almost a billion dollars worth of losing. ;)


I want to lol


but is that the best ya got? lol



If we go by facts. When the Yankees have gone after and paid for the megastars... they have rarely won WS.


People refuse to admit - its ok by me its just not the case.

2001-2008. The Yanks spent a ton of money on Mussina, Giambi, Randy Johnson, etc etc, = no WS wins
1996 - 2000 = alot of farm players and some small FA signings, guys in their twilight with a few good years left = 4 WS in 5 years.


2009 is the only year they bought one - I admit that



Truth be told. If Texas can win it - I will be happy for them!

[BlueStar3398]

Go Rangers!!!

[juck]

HERE we go baby Get out the Boomstick Nelly!!!!!!

[Mitcha68]

I can't wait!

Great to see the Rangers here again. I feel especially good for my dad, who is 70. He's been a fan since day one and its great to see him enjoy this. You never know when we might see this again. Dang, think I'm having a sports cry! :o: :D Go Rangers!

[reddyuta]

I dont think this one is going 7 games,one team is going to start strong and dominate the series.

[Sam I Am]

I dont think this one is going 7 games,one team is going to start strong and dominate the series.

Man, I hope it's the Rangers. I so bad want them to get a World Series Championship.

[juck]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/juck/sc_dws_img_10-10_1030dnlilron-large.jpg (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/juck/sc_dws_img_10-10_1030dnlilron-large.jpg)
Lets get this started!!!

[juck]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/juck/fOcRB.gif (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/juck/fOcRB.gif)

[Stautner]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/juck/fOcRB.gif (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/juck/fOcRB.gif)

Thanks for the chuckle

[Sam I Am]

The Rangers have added pitcher Mark Lowe and catcher Matt Treanor to their World Series roster. They have taken off relievers Yoshinori Tateyama and Koji Uehara.

Link to Story (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111019&content_id=25709986&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

Good riddance to Uehara. :puke:

[Stautner]

The Rangers have added pitcher Mark Lowe and catcher Matt Treanor to their World Series roster. They have taken off relievers Yoshinori Tateyama and Koji Uehara.

Link to Story (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111019&content_id=25709986&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

Good riddance to Uehara. :puke:

I haven't liked Tateyama all year. I was excited when we got Uehara, but he has been a waste for us.

[StylisticS]

The Rangers have added pitcher Mark Lowe and catcher Matt Treanor to their World Series roster. They have taken off relievers Yoshinori Tateyama and Koji Uehara.

Link to Story (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111019&content_id=25709986&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

Good riddance to Uehara. :puke:

Excellent news.

[Sam I Am]

Lots of people are picking the Rangers to take this in six. While I would love that to happen, I don't like everyone jumping on the Rangers bandwagon.

LINK - Rangers a favorite among celebs, analysts (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111018&content_id=25698528&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

[cowboyeric8]

Lots of people are picking the Rangers to take this in six. While I would love that to happen, I don't like everyone jumping on the Rangers bandwagon.

LINK - Rangers a favorite among celebs, analysts (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111018&content_id=25698528&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

Agreed, I've like being the underdogs all year.

[Corleone]

Everyone picked Texas to win last season and it did not work out well, I would preferred being the udnerdog but it doesnt change the fact that we are the better team. I would admit it if they were the better team.

Also, did you guys here about the MLB not letting Dirk throw out the first pitch in one of the games? It is supposedly because he doesnt have a broad following or some crap and some NBA lockout concerns by the MLB. Load of BS.

[Draegerman]

Everyone picked Texas to win last season and it did not work out well, I would preferred being the udnerdog but it doesnt change the fact that we are the better team. I would admit it if they were the better team.

Also, did you guys here about the MLB not letting Dirk throw out the first pitch in one of the games? It is supposedly because he doesnt have a broad following or some crap and some NBA lockout concerns by the MLB. Load of BS.

It was noted on PTI by Wilbon that it was intended to show indirect support to the NBA owners during their lockout. I could much easier believe that then Dirk's lack of national appeal to the public.

:rolleyes:

[Stautner]

Lots of people are picking the Rangers to take this in six. While I would love that to happen, I don't like everyone jumping on the Rangers bandwagon.

LINK - Rangers a favorite among celebs, analysts (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111018&content_id=25698528&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex)

I don't think who's favored or not matters one whit. I think the most anyone can realistically claim is one team having a very slight edge, but I don't think there is anything that separates them enough that either team could be considered a clear favorite.

[Draegerman]

In a strange sense of twisted ironic karma, I was relieved to see that we didn't have a plethora of trolls or bandwagoneers jumping on to our thread covering the Rangers (like always seems to happen with the Cowboys) during the regular season.

Now, it's just too weird since this is what would be the equivallent of the 'Boys playing in the Super Bowl.

I can almost hear crickets...:confused:

[The30YardSlant]

They need to turn down their mics, you can hear Carpenter cursing after almost every pitch

[Draegerman]

Freakin' Wilson! :bang2: :banghead: :bang2:

[gmoney112]

Foul Ball!!

BULL****

[jimmy40]

Foul Ball!!

BULL****what?

[The30YardSlant]

Foul Ball!!

BULL****

It was a fair ball, it hit foul but bounced back in before it went by first. I'm always baffled by how many people don't know the rules regarding fair/foul balls.

[Draegerman]

Napoli responds! :bow:

[Mike_45]

That was a great double play. Very well played and could not have come at a better time.

[gmoney112]

It was a fair ball, it hit foul but bounced back in before it went by first. I'm always baffled by how many people don't know the rules regarding fair/foul balls.

I'm always baffled at how retarded you are about the Aggies.

[Draegerman]

Time for CJ to hit the showers! :mad:

[Air Force One]

Man this is such a huge out we need

[Mike_45]

Geez Joe Buck is a turd. I really want the Rangers to smack a couple dingers so I can hear the pain in his voice.

[Air Force One]

At 1-2 he should have been going inside on him. Major mistake.

[Mike_45]

Whew, I thought Nelly got hurt on that missed catch. Looks like he is moving fine on that out.

[Robbieac]

Nellie nearly made an awesome catch. Oh well. Maybe Ogando can get us out of this with little damage.

[TheCoolFan]

2 outs and 2 strikes :bang2: Just like the home run he gave up vs. Detroit too

[Robbieac]

I thought that one was gone when I heard it hit the bat.

C'mon Rangers! Only 1 down!

[gmoney112]

Ron Washington is a tard.

[TheCoolFan]

Rangers just can't handle NL Baseball. This is where La Russa takes Wash to school

[gmoney112]

Just throw a strike first pitch and you'll get an automatic 0-1 count against Kinsler and Elvis.

[TheCoolFan]

For an offense so reliant on the home run...Hamilton needs to get it going or else we're going fishing in a hurry.

[utrunner07]

bunch of bs right there. umps should not be allowed to participate in next post season if they are going to screw calls like that.

[utrunner07]

Cards + Umps 1, Rangers 0

[gmoney112]

gayest world series game in recent memory

[TheCoolFan]

I just don't like what I'm seeing. Too reminiscent of last year vs. the Giants. If it's a low-scoring game, NL Baseball, then the Cardinals will win it every time. The only way the Rangers have a chance is if they're able to enforce their will and their offense on the Cards. It's been home run or bust and that's not just gonna win it. That's how they've gotten by all postseason though...we could be in for a sweep or be out in 5 again.

[juck]

We lost to TB in game 1 also.

[Air Force One]

The only thing that really bothered me, besides losing, is Washington calling for the hit and run in the first inning like that. I hated the way we handed the Cards the momentum right away. It kinda set the tone for this game.

[gmb85]

I don't see this the same as last year.

I'm no real baseball expert, I go by my gut. I sensed last year that they might get swept by the Giants even before the WS started.

This year feels different. I sensed this year that it would be more of a coin toss. Even though St Louis won, I don't feel the Rangers will lose the series.

[TheCoolFan]

I'm just skeptical of the Rangers' ability to put up the necessary runs in St. Louis. Busch Stadium is a very pitcher-friendly ballpark and Rangers Baseball is all about putting up 5+ runs in every victory. Game 2 is a must-win. If they ever are to steal one over there, it's that one.

[Corleone]

If we dont win tomorrow, there is now way we go ahead and rattle off 4 out of 5 especially when Carpenter pitches one of those games. Huge game, we got past their ace and from what I hear the rest of their rotation is not very good. I think we can win the next two at least.

Hamilton MUST get going, I know he's 50 percent but we need him. Thank god for Ogando and Feldman right?

[reddyuta]

If we dont win tomorrow, there is now way we go ahead and rattle off 4 out of 5 especially when Carpenter pitches one of those games. Huge game, we got past their ace and from what I hear the rest of their rotation is not very good. I think we can win the next two at least.

Hamilton MUST get going, I know he's 50 percent but we need him. Thank god for Ogando and Feldman right?

i agree with this,its a must win game today.

[Sam I Am]

CJ needs his *** kicked for throwing six freaking walks.

[Alweezy]

If we dont win tomorrow, there is now way we go ahead and rattle off 4 out of 5 especially when Carpenter pitches one of those games. Huge game, we got past their ace and from what I hear the rest of their rotation is not very good. I think we can win the next two at least.

Hamilton MUST get going, I know he's 50 percent but we need him. Thank god for Ogando and Feldman right?


The Cardinals rotation is about the same level of the Rangers rotation. they got guys in there that could stink up the joint, or throw 2 hit shutouts if the momentum is right. There's not one game that I feel overly confident in, and yet at the same time I don't feel too worried. It's a wierd situation I must say with the two staffs going head to head.


There's no shame in losing game 1 guys, let's not call this 2010 all over again, or we could be done in 5 just yet. The Rangers have been on the plus side of these close late inning games all ALCS. Sometimes you just lose a close game and that's how it goes.

Now had we come out to a 11 - 3 shellacking similar to last season's game 1 which set the tone for the entire series, I'd be worried... but the Cardinals did not look exponentially better than the Rangers last night. Had we gotten the bloop single to score the go ahead run, it'd be them not us worrying about losing it in 5. So let's not knee jerk, there is stil plenty of ball to be played.

[TheCoolFan]

Another thing - can we expect Wash to win the chess match vs. La Russa? I doubt it. Last night was already a bad sign. Esteban Herman and Craig Gentry? I thought Murphy had earned enough confidence that I'd leave him in there vs. the lefty instead of putting your hopes on those two. I think Wash saw La Russa put in Allen Craig and thought one of those guys could step up too. The difference is that Craig is not some scrub, he will probably be their DH.

[BraveHeartFan]

That was a tough loss last night. I was really hoping to take the early lead. Oh well. I still think they can win it in 6.

[Stautner]

Rangers just can't handle NL Baseball. This is where La Russa takes Wash to school

Where did we fail at "NL baseball" yesterday? Looked to me that the difference in the game is they got one more timely hit than we did. Ogando gave Craig a little too good a pitch on a 1-2 count, Craig took advantage, and there was the difference.

I'm just skeptical of the Rangers' ability to put up the necessary runs in St. Louis. Busch Stadium is a very pitcher-friendly ballpark and Rangers Baseball is all about putting up 5+ runs in every victory. Game 2 is a must-win. If they ever are to steal one over there, it's that one.

It's one game. The Rangers didn't put up a lot of runs every game against Detroit or Tampa either.

[Stautner]

Another thing - can we expect Wash to win the chess match vs. La Russa? I doubt it. Last night was already a bad sign. Esteban Herman and Craig Gentry? I thought Murphy had earned enough confidence that I'd leave him in there vs. the lefty instead of putting your hopes on those two. I think Wash saw La Russa put in Allen Craig and thought one of those guys could step up too. The difference is that Craig is not some scrub, he will probably be their DH.

I wondered about German - thought he was a bit of an odd choice. I would have used Torrealba. But Gentry has done a good job this year, and with his speed was unlikley to hit into a double play. And of course he was a right handed bat against a left handed pitcher. Nothing wrong with that.

It's one game guys, and a game that could have gone either way, not time to throw in the towel.

[Rynie]

C.J. = choker

[utrunner07]

We lost to TB in game 1 also.


And we looked a lot worse in that game, and bounced back just fine.

[TheCoolFan]

Completely different types of teams/ballparks. The Rangers offense put up 5+ runs in most of the ALDS and ALCS games...that's been their standard production all season. That's how they want to win games. When it's a low scoring game, that favors the Cardinals because that's how they win games, even Berkman admitted it after game 1. In 6 World Series games so far, the Rangers are averaging 2.3 runs...that's not the production that the Rangers are accustomed to.

Rangers need to show that their offense can wake up and enforce their will vs. the NL. As much as we want to complain about pitching, the pitching hasn't been dominant but it's put the team in a position to win so far. But the offense is this team's calling card and will always be so they need to come through.

[MegaMagick]

Had bad vibes even before this series started. St Louis is basically this year's version of San Francisco. Worse pitching, but much better lineup, and a similar bullpen.


Gut says Cardinals in 6. I don't think we will be able to beat Carpenter or Garcia and their BP is just as good as ours. Our offense is very streaky, so i don't think we're this offensive juggernaut.

It's a shame that baseball is such a backwards sport, this series should've started in Texas and played by AL rules. Of course since homefield was decided by a joke ASG St Louis gets a huge advantage, and gets to play their type of baseball on their turf.

[utrunner07]

Way too many people over reacting to a single loss. Last night was not our night, and we still lost by just one, thats fine. If you thought we were going to go in to St. Louis and sweep them then you were not thinking, you were hoping. Fact is we are perfectly set up to come out 1-1 from St. Louis and if that happens I don't see much reason to panic at all. Lewis will be solid tonight, we were not swinging the bat that bad last night and this team has always bounced back from losses really well. Seriously folks, no need to be toeing the ledge just yet, its a best of 7 series.

[TheCoolFan]

Well I hope so. If we can win tonight, I think we can win the series.

The homefield rule is horrible and MLB is just lucky that it hasn't factored in too much since they created that rule. Seriously, it's one of the worst rules in all of pro sports, all stemming from an overreaction to that tied All Star game.

[Mitcha68]

Way too many people over reacting to a single loss. Last night was not our night, and we still lost by just one, thats fine. If you thought we were going to go in to St. Louis and sweep them then you were not thinking, you were hoping. Fact is we are perfectly set up to come out 1-1 from St. Louis and if that happens I don't see much reason to panic at all. Lewis will be solid tonight, we were not swinging the bat that bad last night and this team has always bounced back from losses really well. Seriously folks, no need to be toeing the ledge just yet, its a best of 7 series.

Yep, watching baseball with a football mentality.

[MegaMagick]

Way too many people over reacting to a single loss. Last night was not our night, and we still lost by just one, thats fine. If you thought we were going to go in to St. Louis and sweep them then you were not thinking, you were hoping. Fact is we are perfectly set up to come out 1-1 from St. Louis and if that happens I don't see much reason to panic at all. Lewis will be solid tonight, we were not swinging the bat that bad last night and this team has always bounced back from losses really well. Seriously folks, no need to be toeing the ledge just yet, its a best of 7 series.

Not really panicking, that's just how i see it. Not saying we can't win, but the Cards probably have a better overall team.

Our starting pitching hasn't been very good throughout the postseason, if i had to choose i would go with Carpenter-Garcia over C.J-Lewis. The bullpens are basically a wash, the team that gets to the 7th inning with a lead will probably win.

There probably isn't as much of a difference between our offenses as people think, Pujols-Berkman-Holliday can kill teams, and guys like Freese, Jay, Molina, etc can do some damage.

Homefield and NL rules will probably be the difference.

[StylisticS]

It's a shame that baseball is such a backwards sport, this series should've started in Texas and played by AL rules. Of course since homefield was decided by a joke ASG St Louis gets a huge advantage, and gets to play their type of baseball on their turf.

This stupid rule upsets me. St. Louis is a wildcard team. Texas won their division(and should be rewarded for doing so) and tied for the 3rd best record in all of MLB. Yet St. Louis gets to have HFA because of an exhibition game? A game where them getting the HFA was out of the hands but in hands of Prince Fielder. It's a joke. Is this the first time where the wildcard team has HFA in the world series?

[utrunner07]

Prediction for the game:

7-2 Texas wins.

[MegaMagick]

Gotta love Colby.

This offense needs to pick it up.

[utrunner07]

Gee, hope Joe Buck will tell us how Hamilton is hurt again.

[TheCoolFan]

Knew Beltre would strike out as soon as he swung on that 3-1 pitch. We can't score unless we're hitting home runs :banghead:

[utrunner07]

incredibly stupid letting beltre swing at that pitch, that was ball 4

[MegaMagick]

It seems that this offense has to be carried by one guy every night, the only exception of course is the DET game 6.

[utrunner07]

got to get some runs here, do not want to waste this good pitching.

[MegaMagick]

Embarrassing swing in the dirt.

[utrunner07]

piss poor at bats, folding.

[MegaMagick]

Garcia is pretty filthy.

[MegaMagick]

Still can't believe the pitchers have to hit in the NL. Such a joke.

[utrunner07]

its a freaking pitcher lewis, through strikes.

[utrunner07]

incredibly terrible pitching by lewis on that at bat.

[TheCoolFan]

Garcia just showed better discipline at the plate than any of our batters.

[utrunner07]

geez, how do you walk the pitcher...

[utrunner07]

should be strike 2 ump

[utrunner07]

incredible play, your welcome lewis. now lets go get some hits and runs.

[reddyuta]

you cant walk the pitcher .

[utrunner07]

you cant walk the pitcher .

hopefuly lewis will get the favor in return here, a single or even a walk for him would be huge.

[utrunner07]

a solo hr would be nice about now.

[utrunner07]

terrible, just terrible.

[utrunner07]

disheartening knowing the gipper is coming up and is pretty much an easy out now days. not sure i would start him if he continues to struggle.

[MegaMagick]

This team really can't sustain anything.

[TheCoolFan]

Embarrassing. And with Hamilton and Young coming up, you know that's 2 quick outs on < 5 pitches total. I just don't know how this offense will manufacture runs...I just don't see it

[MegaMagick]

Good chance the cards get something out of this part of the lineup.

Just in time for the 7th inning where the bullpens come and shut things down.

[utrunner07]

that behind the ump camera angle is probably the stupidest camera angle fox has ever tried, and that is saying sometihng, they have a lot of stupid angles.

[utrunner07]

joe buck just chomping at the bit for the cards to get a home run here.

[utrunner07]

HAVE TO GET RUNS, CAN NOT WASTE THIS OUTING BY LeWIS.

[Robbieac]

Colby is on fire tonight.

I'm beginning to think that whoever gets a single run will win this game...

[MegaMagick]

Lewis is pretty much our Ace.

[reddyuta]

this is our shot to get a run in.

[utrunner07]

bench freaking hamilton, its one thing to be hurt and battle, he is just looking silly up there, very poor at bats even being hurt.

[MegaMagick]

Strikeout on 3 pitches..

[Robbieac]

Well there's the expected 2 outs for Hamilton and Young.

[MegaMagick]

They aren't even making Garcia work.

SHameful.

[TheCoolFan]

:laugh2: Cardinals are probably salivating everytime they face Andrus, Hamilton, and Young. Total nonfactors. Hamilton is done, if he's hurt.

[utrunner07]

Need Cruz to come through here.

[MegaMagick]

HEY IDIOTS,

DON'T SWING A BALLS IN THE DIRT!

single!

It's a miracle.

[Robbieac]

It's BOOM stick time...

[utrunner07]

wow, look at that, if you don't swing at balls out of the zone good things can happen, somebody tell josh.

[utrunner07]

ughhhhhhh............

[reddyuta]

the cardinal pitchers dont seem to have any respect for our offense,

[MegaMagick]

the cardinal pitchers dont seem to have any respect for our offense,

Why should they?

[utrunner07]

the cardinal pitchers dont seem to have any respect for our offense,

No reason too, when your batters are swinging at every pitch out of the zone nothing to be afraid of.

[utrunner07]

double play would be nice.

[TheCoolFan]

Cardinals already got rid of the Brewers, who had a similar high-powered offense that relies on the long ball. It's no surprise that they are having no trouble with the Rangers offense.

[Air Force One]

Our offense has reverted back to exactly the way they were in last year's World Series. Game 6 against the tigers was just a blip for Young and he's right back to swinging the bat for crap.

[utrunner07]

does joe buck know that you can score without hitting home runs?

[Air Force One]

Not only does Young not hit, now he can't field either. Way to leave Colby twisting in the wind guys.

[utrunner07]

your a joke young, you were terrible at 3rd in the post season last year and you could have just cost us the game tonight. don't want to here any of your crying or belly aching this off season.

[reddyuta]

here we go,our offense is a no show again in the WC.

[utrunner07]

that was a huge screw up by young, now it means ogando comes out now instead of the 8th and we either have to send someone else out for the 8th or ogando has to bat coming up. terrible mistake. what a joke young.

[Air Force One]

your a joke young, you were terrible at 3rd in the post serason yesterday and you could have just cost us the game tonight. don't want to here any of your crying or belly aching this off season.

Agree 100%, he's been a liability tonight

[Robbieac]

Joe Buck's voice just cracked with happiness.

[Air Force One]

Joe Buck's voice just cracked with happiness.

Yup he is a complete joke, but then again so is the rangers offense.

[reddyuta]

this is so sad,hard to watch this right now.

[MegaMagick]

Seems like we're a different team going up against the NL.

Garcia made us look like a joke tonight.

[TheCoolFan]

Geez Craig is gonna run away with the MVP once he gets to DH. This is NL Baseball...a close, low-scoring game like this, you just know the Cardinals have what it takes to get the timely hits to drive in enough runs while the Rangers are left swinging blindly trying to play "power baseball"

[utrunner07]

mike freaking young, what a joke, guy should be embarrassed, pitcher plays balls to the wall and you bounce the ball off your glove, not to mention all your crying last year after playing sub par at 3rd all last post season.

[MegaMagick]

I don't know how anyone can take us seriously if we have a repeat of the SF series.

Allen Craig would be the WS MVP right? yeesh.

[Air Force One]

We lose game 2 it's all on Young

[MegaMagick]

We lose game 2 it's all on Young

This offense has to score more than 1 run.

Being shutout is inexcusable.

[Robbieac]

This offense has to score more than 1 run.

You mean more than 0 runs?

[utrunner07]

We lose game 2 it's all on Young

+ our entire offense exuding kinsler, but yeah, I would not shed a tear if young was sent packing.

[utrunner07]

just been terrible at bats ALL NIGHT, worse than last night by far.

[Air Force One]

The thing about Young tho is he's killing us on offense AND defense now.

[utrunner07]

btw how was young not charge an error for that?

[Robbieac]

just been terrible at bats ALL NIGHT, worse than last night by far.

You win the obvious post of the night award.

2 runs > 0 runs

:(

[Air Force One]

btw how was young not charge an error for that?

They can call it a hit all they want but is was a flat out error(choke)

[utrunner07]

You win the obvious post of the night award.

2 runs > 0 runs

:(

At least somebody here wins sometihng.

[utrunner07]

would have let murphy bat with out question, murphy is clutch, toriabla...meh.

[utrunner07]

what a joke of an at bat, great call wash, didnt say anything about it last night but this is getting old, poor poor poor poor management.

[Air Force One]

Boy that was a nice at bat

[utrunner07]

piss poor, don't know what you do to wash, great guy, great motivator, great manager 97% of the time, but really got to question A LOT of calls this post season.

[utrunner07]

hamilton will get another at bat, question is will he try to strike out on only two pitches by swinging at a single pitch in the dirt twice.

[utrunner07]

Holland warming up, if you did not have concerns yet...

[utrunner07]

once again, stupidest camera angle ever tried.

[utrunner07]

kinsler, andrus and hamilton, anyone gets on and young will come in to end the inning.

[utrunner07]

that was strike 2

[utrunner07]

strike him out.

[utrunner07]

surprised young did not drop that or at least pull his foot off.

[TheCoolFan]

How many pitches does Motte need to throw to finish this? I'm calling less than 10

[utrunner07]

is this the same team that told us they were not going to be satisfied with just being here this year, not going to have stage fright again? Go out and prove it, been batting scared and timid all game.

[MegaMagick]

How many pitches does Motte need to throw to finish this? I'm calling less than 10

3 weak groundouts on 3 pitches.

[gmb85]

Well clearly I was wrong.

[utrunner07]

geez, bunt to rely on hamilton and young? I don't think so. Id take my chances with elvis.

[utrunner07]

if you are going to bunt you had better make it elvis.

[utrunner07]

ooooooo, i thought he was out, just safe by no more than 2 inches.

[utrunner07]

oh man off the bat i thought that was going to the corner, very wishful thinking.

[Robbieac]

C'mon Elvis!!!!!

[BigDFan5]

yes!!!!!!

[Robbieac]

Yay!!!!

[utrunner07]

holy crap, should have sent kinsler, but nice AB. Lets go ham just a deep pop out

[Robbieac]

There shouldn't be anyway we can't score at least one run now.

[MegaMagick]

Lift a damn fly ball.

[BigDFan5]

come on Josh

[Robbieac]

Do what you've been doing best all playsoffs Josh! Pop Out!!!!

[utrunner07]

id walk hamilton for sure, imo its not even a question.

[BigDFan5]

id walk hamilton for sure, imo its not even a question.
They probably would have had Motte walk him before the change if that was the plan

[MegaMagick]

You'll probably see the ugliest 3 pitch strikeout in playoff history.

[utrunner07]

just because:

Hamilton is 0-3 against Rhoades, and the brilliant young is 0-9.

[TheCoolFan]

Huge by Elvis to get the double and eliminate the double play possibility

[utrunner07]

They probably would have had Motte walk him before the change if that was the plan


True, unless the manager forgot that he wanted to walk him...;)

[BigDFan5]

tie ballgame!

[Robbieac]

Thanks!

[kmp77]

1-1 that's what i'm talking about

[utrunner07]

:), that was easy for Josh. Young redeem thyself.

[Robbieac]

You'll probably see the ugliest 3 pitch strikeout in playoff history.

And you would be wrong.

[BigDFan5]

True, unless the manager forgot that he wanted to walk him...;)
No thats just Wash, Larussa is a pro ;)

[The30YardSlant]

If Josh was healthy that ball would still be going. He got all of it but just doesnt have the lower body strength.

[TheCoolFan]

Finally. Can't let Arthur Rhodes get his revenge twice

[utrunner07]

La Russa, pregame: "“it comes down to you make a move, and if it works? ‘Hey, what a great move!’ If it doesn’t work? ‘What was he thinking?"

Not a bad move imo bringing in rhoades, but i think its just to easy for josh to deep pop out, even injured. IMO the mistake was pitching to him at all. Should have been walked, only reason he was pitched to is because he is injured, imo

[MegaMagick]

And you would be wrong.

Reverse jinx skills still top notch!

[D-warewolf94]

Come on Young! He's been struggling but I believe!

[utrunner07]

just need another deep pop out here.

[utrunner07]

not a strike.

[BigDFan5]

we winning get Feliz ready thats ballgame baby!

[utrunner07]

relieved but extremely nervous with a one run lead, feliz had better be lights out.

[Robbieac]

Young constantly getting outs finally pays off!

[MegaMagick]

Yes!!!

[Air Force One]

Young gets redemption

[utrunner07]

Young constantly getting outs finally pays off!
:laugh2:

[Robbieac]

Why does Joe Buck no longer sound excited? :confused:

[utrunner07]

Young gets redemption


temporarily.

[cowboyeric8]

Well done fellas. Come on Feliz!

[reddyuta]

please Feliz,no drama .I want him to just blow them away.

[utrunner07]

not easy outs coming up, molina, punto, schumaker

[utrunner07]

geez feliz, nervous much.

[utrunner07]

lets go big fella

[utrunner07]

geez, feliz, always with the nerves. got to be tougher mentally.

[TheCoolFan]

Of course a Feliz inning is never complete without a leadoff walk

[Robbieac]

And the drama begins.

[utrunner07]

got to get back there to catch that napoli

[Robbieac]

There we go. 1 down, 2 to go...

[cowboyeric8]

Come on double play!