Rangers are a very resilient bunch we saw it all year and though the Cardinals have all the momentum going into Game 7 with that crazy game last night I think they are making a huge mistake starting Carpenter but they really do not have any other options at this point. While the Rangers are smartly starting Matt Harrison who is on 5 days rest as opposed to Carpenter on 3 days rest. Carp only had one start and it was this year on 3 days rest in the NLDS and he struggled vs. the Phillies.
Now for all the struggles vs. LHP this post season for the Rangers they have been the best vs. RHP with a .823 OPS. I think we saw a hungry team last night and the pitching and defense just did not match up to what the offense did. Despite all that they kept answering any time the Cardinals got a run they would at the top of the inning. Josh Hamilton finally looked like Josh Hamilton and now Matt Holliday is being benched. I continue to say I like LHP facing the Cardinals at Busch Stadium as they have only managed a.250 average and 3.67 runs per 9 here on the season. I also still think the Rangers have a better bullpen expect to see Holland if Harrison struggles at all and the Cards bullpen had to get in the game very early last night. I donât fear Motte who lets be honest is not a closer. He has just one pitch and itâs a fast ball something the Rangers are very good at hitting.
At the end of the day I think the Rangers can over come last nightâs collapse and win the World Series. Cardinals are 1-7 in their last 8 home games vs. a LH starter. This is the 3rd time they are seeing Carpenter and Napoli and Beltre have very good numbers vs. him so far. Harrison had a 2.99 ERA in road starts this year and the 2 extra days will pay big dividends.
