The Cardinals lineup can match up with any AL lineup.
My main concern in this first game is pitching:
-Adam Wainwright in the playoffs: 23 innings pitched, 2-1 record, 1.57 ERA, and 20 to 1 SO to walk ratio- which is obv. incredible.
-John Lester 19 1/3 innings pitched, 2-1 record, 2.33 ERA, and 14 to 7 SO to BB ratio.
If one were to evaluate both pitchers I like to look at how far each pitcher has gone into a game, with Wainright pitching close to 7 2/3 innings on average, while Lester has averaged close to 6 innings per start. Either of which is not bad, but tells me I can count on Wainwright to deliver a managed and long-term approach, he throws more strikes in other words.
-Adam Wainwright is 17-8 in games where he was graded as an underdog.
-It can be argued that this Cardinals lineup works the count just as well as the Red Sox with the only caveat being they do not strike out as much. Both teams led the league in On base % in the regular season.
-Allen Craig as the DH has many people believing he will be rusty and that's understandable, but the guy batted .454 with RISP, this Cardinals advanced scouting group is one of the best in the league, no doubt he will be prepared vs. Lester, how he actually performs remains to be seen as NL DH numbers have been poor for the last few WS.
-Carlos Beltran- nothing more to say.
-There is that "closeness", "cohesiveness" in both clubhouses, should be a great matchup.
It seems like to be a cold night, pitching might have the favor here with also two great bullpens...
STL +115, and if had to bet the total most likely the 'under'.
Should be a good game.
My main concern in this first game is pitching:
-Adam Wainwright in the playoffs: 23 innings pitched, 2-1 record, 1.57 ERA, and 20 to 1 SO to walk ratio- which is obv. incredible.
-John Lester 19 1/3 innings pitched, 2-1 record, 2.33 ERA, and 14 to 7 SO to BB ratio.
If one were to evaluate both pitchers I like to look at how far each pitcher has gone into a game, with Wainright pitching close to 7 2/3 innings on average, while Lester has averaged close to 6 innings per start. Either of which is not bad, but tells me I can count on Wainwright to deliver a managed and long-term approach, he throws more strikes in other words.
-Adam Wainwright is 17-8 in games where he was graded as an underdog.
-It can be argued that this Cardinals lineup works the count just as well as the Red Sox with the only caveat being they do not strike out as much. Both teams led the league in On base % in the regular season.
-Allen Craig as the DH has many people believing he will be rusty and that's understandable, but the guy batted .454 with RISP, this Cardinals advanced scouting group is one of the best in the league, no doubt he will be prepared vs. Lester, how he actually performs remains to be seen as NL DH numbers have been poor for the last few WS.
-Carlos Beltran- nothing more to say.
-There is that "closeness", "cohesiveness" in both clubhouses, should be a great matchup.
It seems like to be a cold night, pitching might have the favor here with also two great bullpens...
STL +115, and if had to bet the total most likely the 'under'.
Should be a good game.
