At the start of this season I had one team from the 2010 World Series returning to the Fall Classic. The Giants. While I missed that, look for the other team, the Rangers, to win their first title in its 50 year history as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals beginning Wednesday in the 107th Fall Classic.
The Cardinals have been impressive ever since they came from 10 ½ back in late August minus one of their aces, Adam Wainwright lost to season-ending surgery. The Cards earned the last playoff spot on the final day of the regular season after the Phillies completed a sweep of the Atlanta Braves in extra innings. St. Louis then promptly surprised the Phils by beating them, sparked by a Game 5 pitching clash with Chris Carpenter outdueling Roy Halladay. The Cardinals then proceeded to become just the 10th wild card team to reach the World Series after knocking off the Central Division champs Milwaukee Brewers in 6.
Though they can’t match the firepower of Texas on paper, with a bullpen-by-committtee that is really warming up (all 8 of them) in support of the super Carpenter and the potent bats of 3-time MVP Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, St. Louis is certainly capable of winning the World Series.
But the combination of power, speed and fine pitching on display in dusting off Tampa Bay and Detroit, Texas will likely be the favorites. Besides a killer lineup from 1-9, including Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, David Murphy, Mike Napoli and the red-hot power bat of Nelson Cruz (6 HRs, 13RBIs this post season), I think the big thing is hunger. The players, coaches and Nolan Ryan know how hard it is to return straight away back to the World Series and that motivation, along with a deeper roster of talent should prove the difference.
The Lone(some) Star state Ranger fans have waited 50 years to win it all, dating back to their 1961 creation when they were known as the Washington Senators. They get it done this time celebrating the half-century anniversary of their existence.
| World Series | ||||
| Series | Date | Match-Up | Network | Air Time (ET) |
| Game One | Wednesday, October 19 | Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals | FOX | TBA |
| Game Two | Thursday, October 20 | Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals | FOX | TBA |
| Game Three | Saturday, October 22 | St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers | FOX | TBA |
| Game Four | Sunday, October 23 | St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers | FOX | TBA |
| Game Five* | Monday, October 24 | St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers | FOX | TBA |
| Game Six* | Wednesday, October 26 | Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals | FOX | TBA |
| Game Seven* | Thursday, October 27 | Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals | FOX | TBA |
