RSS
St. Louis, MO
Despite having one of the fewest games played between them, the Texas Rangers, champions of the American League, and the St. Louis Cardinals, champions of the National League, are expected to provide an interesting series starting Wednesday night, when they kickoff the 107th edition of the Fall Classic at Busch Stadium.
It will mark the first-ever clash between the two teams since June of 2004, when the Rangers and St. Louis met in interleague play.
In that clash, the Redbirds took two of three in Texas.
On Wednesday, the Rangers, who only made their first appearance in the World Series last year, only to get shut down by San Francisco's pitching in a five-game wipeout, return to the big stage for a chance of taking care of unfinished business, while St. Louis will seek for its second championship in six seasons.
After struggling early in the campaign, both bullpens have delivered and have proven to be equal here in October, with some observers noting that the team with the most quality starts in the series has the best chance of winning it all.
In Game 1, Cards ace Chris Carpenter will square off with C.J. Wilson.
Carpenter has been a difference-maker for St. Louis. The Cardinals 36-year-old right-hander was responsible for the team's only decision from their rotation in the NLCS.
Carpenter posted the Cards' biggest start of the postseason in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Phillies, notching the complete game shutout. It extended St. Louis campaign.
Carpenter reportedly is dealing with soreness in the elbow, an issue that might affect his effectiveness.
Wilson is expected to make adjustments Wednesday after having a shaky postseason. In his three starts, he has given up 16 runs and 21 hits in 152/3 innings.
After a forgettable Game 1 start in the ALDS, Wilson bounced back in Game 1 of the ALCS until the initial rain delay that seemed to affect his command.
In Game 5 of the ALCS, he had a superb first five innings, but ended up surrendering six earned runs.
In the postseason, the St. Louis bullpen is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 28 and two-thirds innings pitched.
The Texas bullpen has also been solid, posting a 2.23 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 39 innings and a 4-0 mark.
MLB on FOX: World Series Preview
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