Been a great and rather frustrating series, if you're a Cards fan/backer, but nonetheless, I haven't felt let down. It's had its fair share of impressive long balls, great pitching (some of Carps stuff leaves me awe-struck), and if weren't for A.J.'s commentary, I couldn't complain much about anything.
One of the biggest surprises has been the mismanagement of TLR. Not sure if any of you guys caught his comments after last night's game, but his excuse for not going to Motte was that the bullpen didn't hear his name, but heard Lynn's name instead. I mean, Motte and Lynn sound nothing alike...it's so far-fetched that I find myself believing that such a travesty really occurred, and as TLR said, he credits the fans of Arlington for being as loud as they were.
On the other end, there are several disturbing trends that the Rangers have been following and they're fortunate to have not had to pay more runs for continuing to commit them. What's with all of the errors? The Rangers are suppose to be the more calm and collected team that had been to the WS and was better prepared and more focused to handle this time around. Besides the errors, the Rangers' young bullpen is also showing signs of the moment getting the better of them, though they haven't suffered as greatly as they could have. Ogando and Feliz have consistently struggled to find the strike zone. If Pujols could have refrained from whiffing in the 9th, there's two batters on base with no outs. That's more pressure to find the strike zone and I'm not so sure the Cards don't score at least one run, tie the game, or do more damage...though this is all hearsay.
Of course it doesn't really matter that the errors are being committed and the Rangers' bullpen (and CJ) have walked and struggled to find the strike zone, when they're chalking up wins. The Cards have been shooting themselves in the foot over and over again. Heading into game 6, there's some differences that lead me to lean with the Rangers closing the series out in 6.
First, we have seen that playing from behind in the series has effected the defensive and arguably pitching performance of the Rangers early and late in the game. In game 6, some of the pressure that has weighed on the Rangers' shoulders should be lifted some, whereas the Cards are faced with the fact that they must win both remaining games. In baseball, it's all about who can stay loose, focused, and being able to refrain from trying too hard to make their play, which favors the Rangers. The other factor that I believe supports the Rangers is that they get to see Garcia for the second time around, though the same argument can be made for the Cards' lineup being able to see Lewis another go-around. However, the Rangers' bats have been warming up, while the Cards' have been struggling. This means that the Rangers can continue to pitch around Pujols and take their chances with the others. TLR should recognize that Holliday is not on his "A" game and he should adjust his lineup accordingly. Put Berkman behind Pujols, or follow with Freeze. In short, If both pitchers can repeat their game 2 performances, I believe that Rangers' have the edge a second time around.
If the game sees both managers going to their bullpens early, it could get interesting and I'm not entirely sure who has the edge, though if the Cards' hitters can manage to take advantage of when Ranger RP's struggle to find the zone, then I'd say they'd have the adv. Then again, with the one game adv., maybe the Rangers' RP's enter more relaxed and they're able to keep their pitches lower and getting ahead in counts.
Weather-wise, cold air and wind (especially if it's working against the longball) favors an N.L style of game, which would favor the Cards if they can manage to turn-it around and come through with moving guys over on the bases and getting the ball in play to score a sac-run. Not saying the Rangers are incapable of playing small ball, but having pitchers that have had experience laying down a bunt definitely creates an edge in a close ballgame.
I'm inclined to lean Rangers in game 6, but there's a decent chance this series goes 7, in which I think the Cards win it. Rangers in 6 or Cards in 7.
What do you guys think?
One of the biggest surprises has been the mismanagement of TLR. Not sure if any of you guys caught his comments after last night's game, but his excuse for not going to Motte was that the bullpen didn't hear his name, but heard Lynn's name instead. I mean, Motte and Lynn sound nothing alike...it's so far-fetched that I find myself believing that such a travesty really occurred, and as TLR said, he credits the fans of Arlington for being as loud as they were.
On the other end, there are several disturbing trends that the Rangers have been following and they're fortunate to have not had to pay more runs for continuing to commit them. What's with all of the errors? The Rangers are suppose to be the more calm and collected team that had been to the WS and was better prepared and more focused to handle this time around. Besides the errors, the Rangers' young bullpen is also showing signs of the moment getting the better of them, though they haven't suffered as greatly as they could have. Ogando and Feliz have consistently struggled to find the strike zone. If Pujols could have refrained from whiffing in the 9th, there's two batters on base with no outs. That's more pressure to find the strike zone and I'm not so sure the Cards don't score at least one run, tie the game, or do more damage...though this is all hearsay.
Of course it doesn't really matter that the errors are being committed and the Rangers' bullpen (and CJ) have walked and struggled to find the strike zone, when they're chalking up wins. The Cards have been shooting themselves in the foot over and over again. Heading into game 6, there's some differences that lead me to lean with the Rangers closing the series out in 6.
First, we have seen that playing from behind in the series has effected the defensive and arguably pitching performance of the Rangers early and late in the game. In game 6, some of the pressure that has weighed on the Rangers' shoulders should be lifted some, whereas the Cards are faced with the fact that they must win both remaining games. In baseball, it's all about who can stay loose, focused, and being able to refrain from trying too hard to make their play, which favors the Rangers. The other factor that I believe supports the Rangers is that they get to see Garcia for the second time around, though the same argument can be made for the Cards' lineup being able to see Lewis another go-around. However, the Rangers' bats have been warming up, while the Cards' have been struggling. This means that the Rangers can continue to pitch around Pujols and take their chances with the others. TLR should recognize that Holliday is not on his "A" game and he should adjust his lineup accordingly. Put Berkman behind Pujols, or follow with Freeze. In short, If both pitchers can repeat their game 2 performances, I believe that Rangers' have the edge a second time around.
If the game sees both managers going to their bullpens early, it could get interesting and I'm not entirely sure who has the edge, though if the Cards' hitters can manage to take advantage of when Ranger RP's struggle to find the zone, then I'd say they'd have the adv. Then again, with the one game adv., maybe the Rangers' RP's enter more relaxed and they're able to keep their pitches lower and getting ahead in counts.
Weather-wise, cold air and wind (especially if it's working against the longball) favors an N.L style of game, which would favor the Cards if they can manage to turn-it around and come through with moving guys over on the bases and getting the ball in play to score a sac-run. Not saying the Rangers are incapable of playing small ball, but having pitchers that have had experience laying down a bunt definitely creates an edge in a close ballgame.
I'm inclined to lean Rangers in game 6, but there's a decent chance this series goes 7, in which I think the Cards win it. Rangers in 6 or Cards in 7.
What do you guys think?