Cardinals are World Series Bound

The St. Louis Cardinals are World Series bound. This is now their fourth world series in the last ten years, which is an MLB best. They look to do what they did in 2011 and 2006, and win their 12 World Series title. 

Who was their X-Factor? Michael Wacha. The rookie comes out of nowhere in September and is just magic. He got two wins in the NLCS, both against the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw. He topped the Cy Young winner not once but TWICE. He was named the NLCS MVP.

Kershaw did not look good whatsoever. In the bottom of the third inning, Matt Carpenter had an amazing, 12-pitch at-bat off Kershaw that resulted in a double down the line. Carlos Beltran, who’s one of the greatest postseason players in history, was able to single him in. 

I’d never thought I’d say it, but Kershaw was rattled. Shane Robinson (the guy that came out of nowhere and hit a home run in Game 4), gets a bases loaded single that drove in two runs, and moved on an throwing error by Yasiel Puig. 

All of a sudden, it was 4-0 Cardinals. When you can get more than one run off Kershaw, it’s impressive. But the Cardinals were not done yet. They knocked Kershaw out in the 5^th inning, as they were able to score by doubles, fielder’s choices, sac flies, and wild pitches. Hey, it doesn’t matter how you score, it’s just as long as you do score.

Now the game is 9-0 Cardinals. Kershaw only went four innings, giving up seven runs on ten hits in 98 pitches. This game and series is over. 

Michael Wacha would go seven innings, giving up two hits and struck out five. Chris Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal had a successful inning each to win it. 

Congrats, Cardinals, you move on. Sorry Dodgers and Puig sensation, but it’s time to go home.

Here were the key players to this series:

1.   Hanley Ramirez: After getting hit by a 97 mph pitch in Game 1, he was never the same. He was scheduled to not start in Game 6, but a quick switch put him in. Ramirez, who batted .345/.402/.638 in the regular season and .500 in the NLDS, batted only .167 in the NLCS.

2.      Carlos Beltran: Beltran could have deserved the MVP too. Remember Game 1, where he saved the day on an amazing throw to home plate that kept the game tied at 2. If it wasn’t for that, they would not have won that game. He would bat only .176 in the NLCS, but walked five times, and scored once. 

3.      Yasiel Puig: Puig wasn’t Puig in this series, especially when he batted .471 in the NLDS. But that Game 3 triple not only fired up the Dodgers, but it fired up the Cardinals. They got mad, and they were able to strike back in Game 4. 

When the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in this series, it did not look good at all for the Dodgers. Props to them for going all the way to Game 6. But just like the Tigers have troubles for Verlander, they needed to get runs for Clayton Kershaw, and that proved to be the x-factor of this game and game 2.

Now it moves to the Cardinals path to winning it all. They will have to play the winner of the Tigers/Red Sox series, so they’re going to play a tough team either way. Here are some factors that benefit the Cards:

Allen Craig might be back for the World Series. He was taking batting practice earlier, and might be able to DH. That’s huge for this ball club. 

Watching Shane Robinson come out of nowhere and hit .429 in the series is a huge factor. All of a sudden, the Cardinals have four outfielders to pick from. Having Jon Jay as a backup is a safe bet. 

The history. When it seemed like the Texas Rangers had it in the bag in 2011, the Cards storm back to win Game 6 and Game 7, thanks to a guy named David Freese. Who will be the hero for the Cardinals this time? It can really be anyone.

The Cardinals have a great chance to win this title. Their only problem is that they have to face the AL Champion. That champion could be decided tonight in Fenway, as the Red Sox have a 3-2 lead. It’ll be Clay Buchholz vs. Max Scherzer. Tiger fans, don’t be too worried, as you have Scherzer and Justin Verlander in Game 7 if it gets there.

By tomorrow, we’ll have a look at the World Series. Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd