|
ST. LOUIS -- One team held momentum, the other held a meeting.In the aftermath of what will prove to be a memorable Game 6, the page would seem especially difficult to turn. Who could blame the Cardinals if they wanted to take a few hours to revel in the magnitude of what they accomplished Thursday night at Busch Stadium? And who would be surprised if this 10-9 loss in 11 innings -- in a game the college football results y twice found themselves a strike away from a championship -- left a substantial sting with the Rangers?The page won't turn easily, but turn it must. Game 7 looms, and the 2011 World Series will go to the team that performs the best under the unique pressure this setting provides."We've been in some tough situations before," said Rangers manager Ron Washington, who gathered his club together in th college football results e wake of the loss to hammer home that point. "We've always responded, and I expect us to respond [Friday]."Washington's Rangers haven't lost two straight since Aug. 3. How's that for knowing how to respond?CARDINALS WITH ONE TO GOThe Cardinals will be playing in a World Series Game 7 for the 11th time in their history. They've won seven of the previous 10.YearOpponentResult2011Rangers?1987TwinsL1 college football results 985RoyalsL1982BrewersW1968TigersL1967Red SoxW1964YankeesW1946Red SoxW1934TigersW1931AthleticsW1926YankeesWBut the Cardinals are more accustomed to the do-or-die element that will be in the air. They had to win on the regular season's last day to force the issue with the Braves, who collapsed a couple hours later. More to the point, St. Louis had to win Game 5 in Philadelphia in the National League college football results Division Series, and the Cards did just that.Don't get too caught up in the manner in which the Cards have forced Game 7. Baseball is not really a game of momentum -- or couldn't you tell by the Game 4 pitchers' duel that followed Game 3's 16-7 final? Momentum, they say, is firmly in the hands of the next day's starter.That's where and why the Cards feel confident. When it was win-or-go-home in t college football results he opening round, they rode Chris Carpenter. And that's just what they'll attempt to do again in Game 7. Though manager Tony La Russa didn't confirm it postgame, pitching coach Dave Duncan said, "You know who's starting."That would be Carpenter, on three days' rest. He's pitched on short rest just one other time in his career, and that was in Game 2 of the NLDS vs. the Phils. It did not go well. C college football results arpenter surrendered four runs on five hits over three innings of a no-decision.But Carpenter's ability to come through in the clutch was apparent in that Game 5 effort -- a complete-game, three-hit shutout with everything on the line.That's why the Cards will feel confident turning to their ace in Game 7. Nobody wants the ball more in a big situation. "If you don't want this game," Carpenter said college football results , "there's no need to be here."The Rangers were quicker to identify their Game 7 starter. It was Matt Harrison's game all along, and Derek Holland's incredible Game 4 performance did nothing to change that. Washington maintains faith in Harrison, despite the big left-hander's Game 3 struggles. "Harrison has been a big part of this team all year," Washington said.But as far as big-game experience i college football results s concerned, Harrison's pales to that of Carpenter's. That could be an edge for the Cards.History might also be in their favor. They have the home-field advantage in this Series on the might of Prince Fielder's game-winning home run for the NL at the All-Star Game, and it could loom large. In the previous 36 instances of a Game 7 in Fall Classic, the home team has won 52.8 percent of the time and college football results in each of the last eight occurrences. Furthermore, 12 of the last 13 teams to win a Game 6 at home, forcing a Game 7, in either the LCS or World Series rounds went on to win Game 7. The only exception was the 2006 Mets, who lost Game 7 to the Cards.More than history, health will be a factor when Game 7 arrives. And in the wake of Game 6, there were questions as to whether Matt Holliday, who sever college football results ely bruised his right pinky finger Thursday night and left the game early, would be ready. "I think so," Holliday said. "I'm going to swing [Friday]. It's not broken."On the Rangers' side, Nelson Cruz tweaked his right groin during Game 6, and his Game 7 availability was in question. Mike Napoli rolled his left ankle in a slide into second base but stayed in the game, and his status did not appear college football results to be in doubt. "We'll just have to wait and see how everything is," Washington said of Cruz.Should Holliday or Cruz not be available, that presents a serious modification to the middle order. But given the circumstances of the situation, it would not be surprising at all to see the two sluggers play through pain.Game 6 exhausted both bullpens, and that will play into the moves Washington and La college football results Russa make in the late innings. The biggest factor impacting Washington is that Alexi Ogando has looked gassed this Series, and never more than when he walked home the tying run in the sixth inning of Game 6. The fact that Mike Adams, Neftali Feliz, Darren Oliver and Scott Feldman were all shaky in Game 6 could affect how long a leash Washington gives Harrison or if he uses staff ace C.J. Wilson i college football results n relief. Holland would be doubtful to appear in Game 7, given that he worked out of the 'pen in Game 6.La Russa, meanwhile, pushed his closer, Jason Motte, and one of his setup men Fernando Salas, for two innings in Game 6, but otherwise seems well-equipped for Friday night. Every arm is expected to be available. "It's going to be one of those days," Motte said. "But as a bullpen guy, you get wor college football results ked hard 162 games. This isn't anything new to any of the guys in the bullpen. Even if our arms are going to fall off, we're going to come out there ready." college football results
|