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.

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.