Cardinals win in 7

The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers 6-2 last night in Game 7 of the World Series to win it 4 games to 3. David Freese earned series MVP honors. The game that will be talked about as one of the all-timers, though, is Game 6, won by the Cardinals 10-9 in 11 innings.

It wasn't just that the Cardinals won Game 6, it was how they won. They trailed 7-5 in the 9th and 9-7 in the 10th, and were down to their final strike in both innings. In the 9th, it was Freese coming through with a two-run triple, and in the 10th it was Lance Berkman bringing home the 2nd run of the inning with an RBI single. Freese won it with a walk-off home run in the 11th.

Honestly, I think Game 6 has to be the greatest game I have ever seen, especially when you consider what was on the line and the heroics that were involved. I can't ever remember seeing a baseball game like that. There really are no words to describe how it all went down. It was simply unbelievable. You just don't see stuff like that.

After the Cardinals took Game 6, you just kind of felt like they would win Game 7 as well. It was just such a devastating loss for the Rangers that it would have been surprising to me if they had come back to win Game 7. I personally thought Rangers manager Ron Washington had his outfield playing way too deep in the "no doubles" defense with the tying run on 2nd in the 10th. Had the outfield been playing closer in, there may have been more of a play at the plate on Berkman's single.

It seemed Washington was playing more not too lose in that inning, with the winning run on first, and in doing so, did not allow his defense any chance in cutting down the tying run at the plate. However, that should take nothing away from St. Louis as there was a good chance that runner scores anyway.

It also looked to me like Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz had a chance to catch Freese's game-tying triple in the 9th, which would have won the World Series for the Rangers. Cruz seemed to almost casually drift back to attempt to make a play on the ball and he just looked awkward out there. It would have been a nice catch, but I bet Cruz could have, probably should have made that play. I was surprised when the ball got down, but it was not the most routine play and was properly scored a triple.

What a pair of moments for Freese (and one for Berkman in the 10th), I can't imagine how it would feel to accomplish something like that. What a game, this one will be talked about for ages. It is tough to come up with words for the World Series, so I'll just leave it with one word: unbelievable.

Rangers lead World Series 3-2

The Texas Rangers picked up wins the last two nights in Games 4 and 5. The Rangers lead the World Series 3 games to 2. The big story in Game 4 was Derek Holland who pitched shutout ball into the 9th. The last two games have both featured huge hits from Mike Napoli, who is in line to be the World Series MVP if the Rangers pull it out.

I think the St. Louis Cardinals are in serious trouble after losing Game 5, which was started by ace Chris Carpenter (even though the bullpen gave up the winning runs). I think the Rangers are just the stronger team at this point. The Cards really need a dynamic performance from Jaime Garcia, the type of which he gave them in Game 2. Game 6 from St. Louis is tomorrow night at 6 p.m. MT on FOX.

Albert Pujols with a historic night

Pictured: Albert Pujols connects for one of his three home runs in Game 3 Saturday night in Texas.

Well, my Utah Utes (3-4, 0-4 Pac-12) lost 34-10 to Cal (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) tonight and looked pretty listless. So, I'm not going to spend a whole lot of time on that.

The story of the night was Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals hitting 3 home runs in Game 3 of the World Series. Pujols is the 3rd player in the history of Major League Baseball to do this in a World Series game, joining Babe Ruth (who did it twice) and Reggie Jackson. It's just the type of thing you don't exactly expect to see when you tune it to watch because it's such a rarity. I don't know if I have words to describe what an achievement it is. When Pujols hit that 3rd home run in the 9th, I let out a little yelp because I realized I had just seen something improbable and incredible.

The Cardinals now lead the World Series 2 games to 1. This means Game 4 tomorrow night is a must-win for the Rangers, especially with Cards ace Chris Carpenter slated to pitch Game 5. The Cardinals have shown that their offense is real and to be reckoned with. Game 4 will show a lot about the character of the Rangers.

Rangers stun Cardinals in ninth to even World Series

The Texas Rangers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in Game 2 of the World Series tonight. The series is tied at a game apiece. It was very well-pitched game. The Rangers scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th to grab the lead and the win. It's a very uplifting win for the Rangers and a very demoralizing loss for the Cardinals.

The Rangers played smart in the top of the 9th to score twice. Ian Kinsler made a gutty play and just stole 2nd ahead of a great throw from Yadier Molina. Then Elvis Andrus singled and took second when Albert Pujols didn't cut off a throw from right field. It was a play Pujols should have made; the throw was there to be cut off and Pujols just missed it. The play ended up being the difference between the Rangers winning and the game still being tied. Andrus deserves credit for taking 2nd on the play, as it was a close play and required guts to attempt.

It really is fundamentals that helped determine the outcome. Pujols cutting off the ball is a fundamental play. Andrus taking the extra base may not be purely fundamental, but it was a good, aggressive play that helped his team win.

Also, good situational hitting from Josh Hamilton and Michael Young to get sacrifice flies when each had a runner on third and less than two outs. It's good hitting to get the ball in the air there when the pitchers clearly had to be going for strikeouts. I kind of have to agree with the analysts who say Tony La Russa should have stayed with Jason Motte against Hamilton, even though bringing in Arthur Rhodes brought up a left-on-left match-up. Even though Motte hasn't been the "official" closer, he's been the closer. He hadn't blown the save yet and this could be a blow to his confidence.

I understand where La Russa was coming from as he likes to go with situational match-ups, but I disagree with him on this one. Motte probably would have coughed up the save at that point anyway since the Cards only held a one run lead and there were runners on second and third with nobody out. However, he would benefit in the future from knowing he's the guy, it seems like La Russa showed some doubt in him there. We'll see what happens with Motte the rest of the series.

Finally, if I were La Russa and the Cardinals, I would start Chris Carpenter on short rest for Game 4 on Sunday. Carpenter is the Cards' best pitcher and gives them the best chance to win. If he goes in Game 4, he could come back again on short rest for a potential Game 7 and therefore pitch three times in the series instead of two. Also, Carpenter only threw 87 pitches in Game 1 and should have more in the tank to come back on short rest.

That's all for now, stay tuned to the blog for World Series updates analysis. I will try to get in some blogging about Utah football soon as well. Also, follow me on Twitter as well for World Series and Utes in-game updates and analysis as well other thoughts on sports.

Cards use clutch hitting and bullpen to take WS Game 1

The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series tonight. I'm going to jump straight to my thoughts on the game. The Cardinals bullpen was fantastic again. It really is shocking to me to see that group of relievers continuing to shut down the top offenses in baseball.

When I watched the Cards during the season, and especially when they took on the Giants, the bullpen was quite unimpressive. Then again, the Giants opened at home against the Cardinals when Ryan Franklin was the closer. Franklin was so bad that he is no longer with the team. Jason Motte (even with a very ugly beard) has done a bang up job in the playoffs in the closer role (even if manager Tony La Russa won't officially acknowledge he is the closer). Still, they don't have many guys down in that bullpen that strike fear into my mind. However, they have been lights out and really seem to be feeding off of each other. I credit pitching coach Dave Duncan, who has long been one of the top coaches in all of the game.

I thought Ron Washington handled his bullpen, etc. better tonight than he did in last year's World Series against the Giants, when he left guys out there far too long. In fact, he did a much better job with that. The only thing I take issue with Washington doing was pinch-hitting with Esteban German in the top of the 7th with two runners on. German hadn't had an at bat the entire postseason and did not come through. Yorvit Torrealba seemed a much better option, particularly with the Rangers carrying three catchers in the series.

Props to Allen Craig for a clutch pinch-hit single that proved to be the game winner. He rewarded La Russa for pulling starting pitcher Chris Carpenter in that spot, which I think was the right move regardless. You have to play to win and you don't know how many chances you are going to get to score. Alright, that's all for tonight, follow me on Twitter for in game updates and stay tuned to the blog for more analysis.

My World Series pick: Rangers in six

I'm picking the Texas Rangers to knock off the St. Louis Cardinals in six games in the World Series. Both teams are very solid, but I think the Rangers are just a little bit better. I know the Cardinals bullpen has been very good, but I have more confidence in the back end of the Rangers 'pen to get things done. The Cardinals have a good offense, but the Rangers' is even more potent in my book.

The wild card in the series is Chris Carpenter. If he pitches two (or three) great games like he did in Game 5 against the Phillies in the first round, then the Cardinals probably win. But I think best case scenario for St. Louis is one great start and one good start that gives his team the chance to win. And in a toss-up type of situation, well I think the Rangers are just a little bit better. That offense is something else. I'll be keen to see how the Cardinals pitching staff, and bullpen in particular, handle it.

The two teams are pretty evenly matched, and that should make for an exciting and long series. I can't wait for it to get started. Game 1 is on Wednesday from St. Louis at 6 p.m. MT on FOX. Carpenter starts for the Cards and for the Rangers it will be C.J. Wilson, who had a very solid season, but has struggled some in the playoffs. Should be fun.

LCS and NBA lockout thoughts

At left: Albert Pujols has looked locked in during the playoffs, and that was on display last night against the Brewers.

Thoughts from both LCS and on the NBA lockout:

- The Brewers aren't exactly making a lot of friends with their "Beast Mode" antics this postseason. Sure, it looks like fun and it looks like they are having a good time. But, I thought from the first time I saw it that opposing teams wouldn't look too kindly on it. The Diamondbacks certainly didn't, even countering with a snake bite type of antic that appeared to be in direct response to Beast Mode.

The Cardinals looked extra amped for Game 2 of the NLCS last night, after the Brewers won Game 1 Sunday afternoon and displayed their Beast Mode celebrations throughout the game. These teams already didn't like each other from the regular season. Last night's lopsided St. Louis win seemed like a statement to me from the Cards. They seem extra motivated to not allow Milwaukee to celebrate in front of them.

- I have tweeted this, but Albert Pujols looks particularly dialed in this postseason. He's been one of the top players in the game for several years now and always seems focused. However, it seems like he has taken his focus and determination to another level during the playoffs -- I wouldn't have really thought that was possible. Pujols made a great defensive play against the Phillies that I don't think a whole lot of first baseman would even try. He seemed especially locked in last night against the Brewers. Maybe it's his impending free agency and the uncertainty of whether he will return to St. Louis, but Pujols seems very motivated right now.

- Big match-up tomorrow at 2 p.m. MT on FOX tomorrow in Game 4 between the Tigers and Rangers. I still think that series goes seven games and I feel like the NLCS is headed in that direction as well. If Adrian Beltre of the Rangers or Victor Martinez of the Tigers are unable to play for any significant amount of time, though, it could sway the ALCS toward the opposing team. I feel like Martinez's impact is more important, not because Beltre isn't good, but because Texas' lineup has a lot of sluggers in it. Detroit needs Martinez to protect Miguel Cabrera in the batting order.

- The NBA lockout looks like it will be in effect for a while. The sides don't seem terribly close to an agreement. I thought it was a bit of a joke when commissioner David Stern threatened to cancel the entire season a couple of weeks ago. That is the definition of a threat without legs -- the league wouldn't turn down the revenue playing games brings if the players agreed to a deal. However, I think the NBA will miss about half of the season before getting this thing resolved. Of course, I don't rule out the possibility of the entire season being wiped out.

Three Game 5s spread between tonight and tomorrow

Getting ready to watch Tigers-Yankees in just a few minutes on TBS. It's the first of three decisive Game 5s in the first round. Tomorrow it's Brewers-Diamondbacks at 3 p.m. MT and Phillies-Cardinals at 6:30 p.m. MT. It doesn't get much better than this. If you get a chance, I encourage you to check out as much of these games as possible. Seasons are on the line and it's now or never. I love it.

I hope the Tigers reconsider their position of not bringing ace pitcher Justin Verlander out of the bullpen tonight should the situation warrant it. It's Game 5 and in my book, you should have all hands on deck.

Well, in any case, here we go!

National League Awards

National League Awards:

MVP: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers. I know he played on a third place team, but he was without a doubt the best player in the National League. He led the NL in homers (39) and RBIs (126) as well as finishing in third in average (.324) and fourth in on-base percentage (.399). Additionally, he was second in the National League with 40 steals and played an outstanding center field. It's tough to admit that the MVP should go to a Dodger, but credit where credit is due.

Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers. Another tough one for me to swallow, but Kershaw was tied for the league lead in wins (21-5), first in ERA (2.28) and first in strikeouts (248). Best pitcher in the league, in my book. Particularly impressed with his 21 wins on a third-place team.

Manager of the Year: Kirk Gibson, Arizona Diamondbacks. He got that team to the playoffs.

Rookie of the Year: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves. Great closer, even if he faded down the stretch.

Sorry not more detail, but the playoffs are under way on TBS for today.