Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa would appropriately tell you they have to get through today's game before worrying about Game 7. However, he must feel good that he would have an option to throw Chris Carpenter on three days rest should the Cards win tonight. Perhaps, LaRussa chooses to stick with Kyle Lohse, but to have Carpenter to fall back on is certainly a benefit. Carpenter's only start on three days rest came in Game 2 of this season's Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. It wasn't pretty (3 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 ER).
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has already stated he will not start C.J. Wilson on three days rest. Why would he since he hasn't been all that great on regular rest? It is plausible that Washington could use Wilson in a tight spot if there is a Game 7. The World Championship is on the line so it will be all hands on deck.
World Series Stats Through Game 5
- The Cardinals have outscored the Rangers 22-19
- Of course 16 of the 22 runs came in the Game 3 blowout.
- The Cardinals batters have hit to a tune of .229/.351/.350
- It is never good when your OBP is higher than SLG
- The Rangers' Mike Napoli has 9 RBI on 4 hits (2 HR, 1 2B)
- The rest of the Rangers have 10 RBI and Napoli leads all players with a 1.235 OPS
- The Cardinals team ERA is 3.77 and the Rangers team ERA is 3.68
- Take away Game 3 and the Rangers team ERA is 1.03
- Albert Pujols is 0 for 12 outside of his epic performance in Game 3 (5-6, 4 R, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
- He's 4 for 5 in speaking after games
- Alexi Ogando: 4 G, 2 IP, 13.50 ERA, 6.00 WHIP
- Yet Ron Washington continues to go to him in big spots
- Cardinals must be happy with David Freese's performance - .393/.443/.732
- Not so much with Rafael Furcal's - .188/.233/.333
- Nelson Cruz has come up big - .250/.350/.692 with 7 HR and 15 RBI
- Elvis Andrus has come up small - .233/.313/.250
- Colby Lewis: 1-1, 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 7.86 K/9
- Jaime Garcia: 0-2, 3.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 7.15 K/9
Stats courtesy of MLB.com
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