Frozen In The Cold October Night

Freese, the St. Louis native did his best to force a
Game 7 Friday night.

In one of the coldest nights in World Series history and the St. Louis Cardinals down to their final strike, twice, David Freese sent the fans he grew up rooting with home with goosebumps running down their spine.

After dropping a routine popup that allowed Josh Hamilton to reach to start the fifth inning and eventually score on a Michael Young double, the St. Louis native was determined to redeem himself and continue his remarkable postseason. With the Texas Rangers holding a two-run lead, threes outs away from capturing their first World Series title in franchise and their All-Star closer headed to the mound, Tony La Russa's club had their backs up against the wall like they have all season long.

With two on and two out, Freese walked to the plate against Neftali Feliz, someone he'd yet to face in his career. Feliz quickly got ahead 1-2, but on a 98 mph fastball, Freese launched a drive over right fielder Nelson Cruz's head for a game-tying two-run triple. Yaider Molina lined out to the right, sending Game 6 into extra innings.

No closer in history, not even the great Mariano Rivera, had converted their first eight save opportunities in the postseason, that's exactly what Feliz was trying to accomplish in Game 6. Instead St. Louis handed him the first blown save of brief postseason career.

But Texas would pick up their closer in the 10th. After a one-out single by Elvis Andrus, Hamilton followed with his first home run in the postseason and first since Sept. 23. The reigning American League Most Valuable Player had gone his last 65 postseason at-bats without a home run, but it couldn't have come at a better time, giving his team their fifth different lead of the night, 9-7.

Faced with their second two-run deficit in as many innings, the Redbirds would have to rally yet again to keep their Cinderella season alive.

Rangers skipper Ron Washington elected not to have Feliz return for his second inning of work after only 22 pitches, but instead send 18-year veteran Darren Oliver, who recorded his first World Series win in Game 5, to the mound to close out the biggest game of his career, something he has only done six times in his entire career.

After back-to-back singles, a sacrifice bunt and a RBI groundout, Washington called on right-hander Scott Feldman to get the games final out. The former 17-game winner intentionally walked Albert Pujols with the potential tying run at second base, setting the stage for the native Texan, Lance Berkman.

Down to their final strike again, Berkman lofted a single to shallow center field, bringing home John Jay for the game-tying run.

Berkman, who signed a one-year $8 million deal in the offseason, was rewarded with a one-year extension earlier this season after a fantastic 2011 season that saw him hit .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs. That has carried into the postseason, especially in the Fall Classic, where he is batting .435 and an on-base percentage of .519.

Berkman watches his game-tying singel
in the 10th inning of Game 6.

It was the first time in World Series history a team came back from a two-run deficit, twice in the ninth inning or later.

After a scoreless top of the 11th by veteran Jake Westbrook, who was added to the World Series roster after being left off the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Freese took center stage.

Freese hammered his fifth home run of postseason and first of the Fall Classic to dead center field for a game-winning walk-off blast, reminding Cardinals fans of another Game 6 walk-off home run, Jim Edmonds in the 2004 NLCS, but this time in the World Series.

For Freese it was a moment frozen in time and one that will forever live in postseason lore.

The 28-year-old third baseman, who quit baseball after his senior season of high school, joins Bill Mazeroski (1966), Carlton Fisk (1975), Kirby Puckett (1991) and most recently Joe Carter (1993) as the only other player to hit a World Series walk-off home run in games six or seven.

Like just Fisk and Puckett did for their respective team, Freese is the third player in World Series history to accomplish that feat when his team was trailing 3-2 in the series.

Not to mention his 19 postseason RBIs are a new franchise record and becoming the first player in postseason history to tie the game in the ninth and have the game-winning RBI in extra innings.

With so many twists and turns, peaks and valleys, St. Louis is also the first team in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th inning of a game, doing so while making numerous mistakes on the defensive side. The Cardinals committed 3 errors in Game 6, the most since 1943.

As the Rangers, they have yet to lose back-to-back games in this postseason and haven't lost consecutive games in over two months, Aug. 23.

Cruz added his eighth home run of the postseason, tying a postseason record for the most in a single postseason. It has been magical back-to-back postseason runs for Texas, but history is not on their side. The Rangers have never played in a Game 7 of the World Series in franchise history, while the Cardinals will be playing in their eleventh and their first since 1987. St. Louis has won 7 of those 10 Game 7s.

It's the first Game 7 in the World Series since 2002 and the last eight home teams have won those games. Also, teams that hold a 3-2 series advantage and go on to lose Game 6 have lost 8 of the 9 Game 7s. The 1997 Florida Marlins are the one exception.

History aside, two teams that traveled far different ways to get here, what sports fans dream of, the two greatest words in sports, Game Seven. So as Fox broadcaster Joe Buck paid homage to his late Hall of Fame father, Jack Buck, "We'll see you tomorrow night."

World Series Showdown: Texas Draw Cards

Two franchises from completely different backgrounds, one rich in tradition and winning while the other still looking to find their place among baseball history. Two teams that took far different roads to get back here, one taking an improbable up the wild card standings, the other winning their second straight division title, convincingly.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are set to square off in the 2011 Fall Classic in a series that should be one for the ages.

Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals:
After feeling the bitter pain of losing in their first World Series appearance a year ago to the San Francisco Giants, the Rangers have come back with vengeance and find themselves in their second straight Fall Classic. With thirteen returning players from last year's World Series roster, Texas is determined to not let this one slip away.

Wilson has struggled this postseason, going
0-2 with a 8.04 ERA in his three starts

The Ranger's offense has been stagnant for most of the postseason, but came to life in the series-clinching Game 6 against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. They scored 15 runs on 17 hits that included a nine-run third inning. Nelson Cruz has six playoff home runs for the second straight postseason and was honored as the ALCS MVP. He along with Josh Hamilton, who has yet to hit a home run this postseason mainly due to his recent groin injury, will need to be the two that protect the middle of the order.

Many questioned manager Ron Washington's decision to keep Michael Young in the cleanup spot, but he silenced the critics after Young's big Game 6, tallying 5 RBIs. Offseason acquisitions Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli are both playing in their first World Series and will need to swing the bat like they have all season if Texas is overcome a unbelievably hot St. Louis team.

Texas' starting rotation hasn't fared well in this postseason and could be tested mightily by the best offense in the National League this season. It's the bullpen that holds the key to success in this series for Washington and Co. In their 42 and 2/3 innings this postseason they have accumulated a 2.34 ERA.

The Rangers have added starters Alexi Ogando and Scott Feldman, who won 17 games for Texas in 2009, to their 'pen to go along with 2010 Rookie of the Year, Neftali Feliz.

General manager Jon Daniels also traded for relievers Mike Gonzalez, Koji Uehara and Mike Adams during this season, giving Washington the ability to mix and match late in the game, something Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is famous for doing and could loom large with four potential games in the NL style of play.

In a baseball city that rivals all others, St. Louis will be roaring for Game 1 of the World Series. The Cardinals offense was not only among the best in the NL, but throughout the majors. They were in the top ten in runs (762), batting average (.273), on-base percentage (.341) and slugging percentage (.425), but have taken their game to new heights in the postseason.

Third baseman David Frees, who is fresh on his NLCS MVP honors, is leading the team with a .425 average, 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. Free-agent-to be, Albert Pujols, is second in all three categories, but it will be the bats of Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman that need to come alive. Berkman and Holliday are two of six Cardinals that have at least one home run this postseason, but will need to provide more pop to contend with the high octane offense in Texas.

Schumaker adds a toughness and different
dimension to La Russa's lineup.

While Holliday has batted .375 in his ten games this postseason, Berkman has struggled to find his stride, batting .237 in his 38 at-bats.

Skip Schumaker missed the entire NLCS due to an oblique tweak, but batted .600 in the NLDS, including driving in the only run of the decisive Game 5 against the Phillies. He has been added to the World Series roster and could prove to be a huge addition to this Cardinal team.

Much like Texas, St. Louis has seen their rotation scuffle, becoming the first team in postseason history to have win a playoff series without having a starter go past five innings.

Jake Westbrook has been added to the roster in favor of reliever-turned-starter-turned-reliever Kyle McClellan to help mend a struggling starting staff. On the other hand, the 'pen for La Russa has been unbelievable, posting a 2.55 ERA in their 42 and 2/3 innings of work and it could be better if it weren't for some rough outings in the Cardinals' 11-6 loss in Game 1 of the NLDS to Philadelphia.

Berkman and Texas' Game 1 starter C.J. Wilson were involved in some preseason controversy and now find themselves fighting for the right to call themselves the best in baseball. Who would have thought? This series could be a battle of the bullpens and with some inclement weather in the forecast this should make for an intriguing World Series.

TEX X-Factor: C.J. Wilson

STL X-Factor: Skip Schumaker

St. Louis in Seven.

Cards Soar Into Fall Classic

Jason Motte, left, and Yadier Molina celebrate
the Cardinals' 18th NL pennant.

When TBS broadcaster Brian Anderson enthusiastically called Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Yuniesky Betnacourt's fine defensive play to retire his counterpart, Rafael Furcal, for the first out of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, saying "This one starts with a bang, tonight," he had not idea what was to occur next in a wild 12-6 St. Louis victory.

Like they have all series long, the St. Louis Cardinals struck first with a four-run first inning, capped off by a three-run home run off the bat of sizzling David Freese. It was the first time in postseason history a team had scored first in the first six games of a LCS.

The Cardinals and Brewers would go back and forth, having a home run derby through the first three innings, hitting six home runs combined. It was the first time in major league history that two teams had hit six home runs combined through a games first three innings. To top it off, 9 of the first 10 runs scored were tallied via the long ball.

The first run of the game was scored when John Jay crossed the plate on a RBI single Lance Berkman in the first, giving way to home run mania.

After Cards starter Edwin Jackson only was able to complete two innings, manager Tony La Russa called on five different relievers to get the game's final 21 outs and secure their second World Series appearance in the last six years and third in the last eight.

With La Russa's five pitching changes Sunday, that gave him 28 total for the LCS, the most ever in a postseason series. His starters failed to go more than five innings in all six games of the series, becoming the first team in postseason history to win a playoff series without having a starter pitch into the sixth inning.

Chris Carpenter, who was coming off a three-hit shutout of the Philadelphia Phillies, recorded the only win of the series, that coming in Game 3 after being a spotted a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

But even Carpenter couldn't get past the fifth inning.

It's ironic that the achilles heel of this St. Louis team at the beginning of the season has become a strength, here in the postseason. After suffering the loss of ace Adam Wainwright in February and having to release closer Ryan Franklin, who was an All-Star for the club in 2009, in June, the Cards pitching staff was in shambles.

A trade at this year's July 31st Trading Dealine by general manager John Mozeliak changed the fate of the Cardinal team.

Mozeliak dealt his controversial, but talented center fielder, Colby Rasmus, to the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-team deal that allowed St. Louis to acquire Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, all whom have been key components to the Redbirds reaching the Fall Classic this season.

That trade might have sparked their improbable run to get to this point. On Aug. 24, St. Louis was 10 1/2 games behind the NL wild card leading Atlanta Braves and started the month of September 8 1/2 back. St. Louis went 23-9 in their final 32 regular season games, obviously catching the Braves and securing their second wild card berth in franchise history.

The Cardinals are no stranger when it comes to historical September comebacks. In 1964, St. Louis also overcame an 8 1/2 game deficit in the season's final month when this time it was the Phillies that collapsed. Both are tied for the greatest September comebacks in NL history.

Oddly enough that '64 Cardinals team went on to beat the New York Yankees in a thrilling seven game World Series. History has a tendency to repeat itself.

This is St. Louis' 18th NL pennant in franchise history and their third under La Russa's watch. Since La Russa took the reigns in 1996, the Cardinals' 45 postseason wins are second only to the Yankees' 94. It is La Russa's sixth career trip to the World Series, which is good enough sixth on the all-time list. He is now 15-7 in series-clinching games, but hasn't faired in the World Series as much as he would like.

The 67-year-old manager has a 10-12 record in the World Series, including being swept twice. Once in 1990 when at the helm in Oakland and again in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox exercised the demon of Babe Ruth at the expense of his Redbirds.

This time around, La Russa is pushing all the right buttons and hopes to bring home his third career World Series title as he already personifies a managerial genius.

As Cold As Ice

With Holliday back in the lineup, Freese's
bat might continue to stay hot.

With the St. Louis Cardinals facing elimination Wednesday, it was the bat of young third baseman David Freese that has the red birds on a plane back to Philadelphia for a decisive Game 5 Friday night. The Phillies' offense jumped on right-hander Edwin Jackson early, scoring two runs on his first five pitches with three consecutive hits.

Jackson held his composure and was able to escape the inning without any further damage.

Lance Berkman, who carried the Cardinal offense most of the season with the rare inconsistency of superstar Albert Pujols, responded with a two-out RBI double in the home half of the inning off former and long-time teammate Roy Oswalt.

The rest of the Cards offense belonged to the 28-year-old Freese. After Berkman walked to open the fourth and slugger Matt Holliday was hit by an inside fastball, Oswalt got Yadier Molina to line out to right field for the first out of the inning. Freese promptly lined a bullet into the left field corner, scoring Berkman and Holliday, giving St. Louis their first lead of the game, 3-2.

In the sixth, Freese hit a mammoth two-run home run to straight away center field for his third and fourth RBIs of the game, almost ensuring St. Louis a trip back to the "City of Brotherly Love".

With those two extra-base hits and four RBIs, Freese joined Lou Brock (Game 4 '68 World Series) and Willie McGee (Game 3 '82 World Series) as the only other Cardinal player to accomplish that feat in a postseason game. Not even the iconic Pujols has had a game like that in the one of his playoff runs.

On the mound, Jackson would not return for the top of the seventh after throwing only 77 pitches. The 28-year-old tossed six quality innings allowing only the two runs in the first inning and striking out four Phillie hitters, giving exactly what manager Tony La Russa needed.

La Russa called on his bullpen once again, using five different hurlers over three brilliant innings of relief to seal a 5-3 victory.

Closer Jason Motte, who is a converted minor league catcher and only 12 career saves under his belt, came on to get the games toughest three outs, but posted a 1-2-3 ninth with the help of his young center fielder.

Game 4 hero John Jay made a sliding catch in shallow right center field for the final out and almost simultaneously throwing his arm in the air in excitement with his finger held high as to say we're No. 1.

As for the Fightin' Phils, Oswalt found himself in a familiar place almost six years ago. The righty started the series-clinching Game 6 of the 2005 NLCS at the old Busch Stadium, eventually sending the Houston Astros to their first World Series appearance in franchise history.

It seems like ages ago Carpenter
was a member of the Blue Jays.

Oswalt was a much different pitcher then and one not riddled by back problems. The loss marked the first of the 11-year veteran's postseason career as a starter. Oswalt had been 5-0 in ten previous postseason starts. His first loss came as a reliever in last year's NLCS against the San Francisco Giants.

With the series tied at two games apiece both squads will be sending their ace to the mound with eight months of hard work on the line. Former teammates and still very good friends Chris Carpenter, who will be on full rest after starting Game 2 on three days rest for the first time in his career, and Roy Halladay will have the attention of the baseball world Friday night at Citizen Bank Ballpark.

We wouldn't have it any other way.