Red Sox win

Last night was Game 6, a potential season ending game. The Red Sox were leading the series 3-2, but the Cardinals had star pitcher Michael Wacha on the mound to try to push the series to a final game in Boston. Trying to end the series, the Red Sox had John Lackey start.

In the thrid inning with the bases loaded, Shane Victorino came to bat against Wacha. He hit a bases clearing double, scoring Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz, and Jonny Gomes. This broke the game wide open and gave the Red Sox a commanding 3-0 lead in the game. In the next inning, the Red Sox scored again, with a home run by Stephen Drew. Mike Napoli and Victorino each added a RBI single to make the score 6-0.

By this point, the game was almost over, even in the fifth inning. Wacha had left the game after giving up six runs. In the seventh inning Carlos Beltran had a single to score a run, but this made the score only 6-1. In the top of the ninth inning, Koji Uehara faced Matt Carpenter and struck him out, giving the World Series back to Boston.

The MVP was David Ortiz, who had an amazing .688 batting average in the World Series.

Red Sox even series at two

The Red Sox were in a hole. They had just lost a game to make the series 2-1 in favor of the Cardinals. Even worse, they had been defeated in the worst of ways, an interference call. Game 4 was the second of three games in St. Louis. The Cardinals started off the game with a run, a RBI single by Carlos Beltran. This score of 1-0 for the Cardinals held until the fifth inning, where David Ortiz scored on a Stephen Drew sacrifice fly to tie the game. In the sixth inning, the Red Sox made their mark. Jonny Gomes hit a 387 foot home run to score Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia.

The next major drama came in the ninth inning, after the Cardinals had made the score 4-2 earlier in the game. With a man on first and two out, Beltran came to bat against Koji Uehara, who you may remember from my last post. Pinch-runner Kolton Wong, the man on first, was then picked off by Uehara to end the game.

The player of the game was David Ortiz, who went 3-3 to raise his World Series average to .727. The series is now tied again 2-2.

Cardinals vs Red Sox: Game 3

Game 3 of the 2013 World Series started out normally, but ended with a fantastic finish that left many wondering what had happened. The Cardinals quickly took a lead in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of one run singles by Matt Holiday and Yadier Molina off Red Sox starter Jake Peavy. But, the Red Sox climbed back out of the deficit with a run in the fifth and sixth innings. In the seventh inning the Cardinals struck back to retake the lead. Matt Holiday got his second and third RBI on a two run double. This was not the end of the game for the Red Sox though, they tied the game in the eighth inning with a single and a fielder's choice.

This is where the game got interesting. The Red Sox led off the 9th inning but Trevor Rosenthal sent them down in order. In the bottom of the inning, the Cardinals got a man on first with one out after Yadier Molina singled. Allen Craig pinch-hit for Trevor Rosenthal. Then Craig doubled to left to put him on second base and Molina on third. The very next play is the one to remember. Jon Jay was at the plate, with Koji Uehara pitching for the Red Sox. Jay grounded to second, and the ball was thrown home to tag Molina. This was accomplished but there was still only two outs. The ball was then thrown by Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to third to beat Craig, who was trying to advance. The ball went by third baseman Will Middlebrooks who dived to catch the ball but failed. Craig then tried to run home to beat the throw to the plate. He tripped while starting his run because Middlebrooks' legs were still stretched out in the baseline. Craig almost beat the throw to home but was called out. This did not matter, however because third base umpire Jim Joyce called interference on Middlebrooks for tripping Craig.

The Cardinals were awarded the run and won the game in a walk-off. Later it was explained that even if Middlebrooks had no intent to do so, he was still obstructing the runner. This was the end of a fantastic game and great for the Cardinals because they now have a 2-1 series lead.

Cardinals Tie Series

The Cardinals came into Game 2 of the 2013 World Series having been obliterated to night before 8-1. But, star rookie Michael Wacha was on the mound. Wacha was amazing in the NLCS and won MVP honors. He was the Cardinals' best hope to get back on track. The game started well enough for the Cardinals, with a run in the fourth inning. But in the sixth inning, the Red Sox struck back with a two run homerun by David Ortiz. After that inning, with the score 2-1, Wacha left the game.

In the seventh inning the game was decided. Matt Carpenter hit a sacrifice fly that scored two, after an error Daniel Descalso moved to third. This was important because on the next at-bat, Carlos Beltran hit a single to score Descalso. This was the last scoring play of the game as it ended 4-2. Trevor Rosenthal got the save and Wacha got the win to even the series at 1-1.

World Series starts tonight

The 2013 World Series starts tonight in Boston. The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright will go against the Jon Lester for the Red Sox. This is the first game of a series that should be exciting considering how even the teams are. Allen Craig, who hasn't played since early December, should return to provide punch to the Cardinals' lineup. The game will begin at 8:07 ET on FOX. Tommorrow, I will write a recap of the game.

World Series prediction

On Wednesday, the 2013 World Series will begin. The St. Louis Cardinals will face off against the Boston Red Sox in Boston. These two teams have met three times before in the World Series, with the Cardinals winning the 1946 World Series 4-3 and the 1967 World Series 4-3. But, in 2004, with the Red Sox trying for their first World Series in many years, they finally broke through to win 4-0 for Boston's first title since 1918.

This year, the teams are quite evenly matched. They both have great pitchers such as Adam Wainwright for the Cardinals and Jon Lester for the Red Sox. But, the arrival of rookie phenom Michael Wacha tips the scales in the Cardinals' favor.  At other positions, Shane Victorino hit a grand slam that helped the Red Sox to the World Series. Carlos Beltran has been in his usual great postseason form.

But, I think one of the factors that will decide this series is postseason experience. David Ortiz has lots for the Red Sox. The Cardinals have it in droves after winning a World Series in 2011. My prediction is that the Cardinals' pitching will be too much for the Red Sox, and the World Series trophy will go to St. Louis after six games.

World Series

The World Series matchup has been set: St. Louis Cardinals versus the Boston Red Sox. This will be one of the most exciting World Series in recent memory. The teams both had the same regular season record at 97-65. The home field advantage will go to the Red Sox, though, because the AL won the All-Star Game. The first game is on Wednesday. 

My prediction and more coverage will come tommorrow and in the next few days.

Cardinals vs Dodgers: Game 6

Yesterday, the Dodgers, having won game 5, went to St. Louis to stay alive. The score of the series was 3-2, but the Dodgers had ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound, going against the Cardinals' Michael Wacha. Kershaw had an good playoffs, with a 3.13 ERA and a 1-2 record. But Michael Wacha was having an amazing postseason, emerging as a great player with a 0.43 ERA and a perfect 3-0 record. He had only given up one run and eight hits in 21.0 innings. This was also his first postseason and year in the major leagues.

The game started out slow, with no runs in the first two innings, but in the third inning the Cardinals struck with four runs. The score held for one more inning until the Cardinals got another five runs off the Dodgers. Kershaw exited the game after giving up seven runs. Wacha pitched great and held the Dodgers' potent lineup off the scoreboard until he exited after the seventh inning. The Cardinals then held for another two innings and got the win 9-0 to advance to the World Series.

*Note: All stats from after Game 6

Dodgers and Tigers win

In Game 5 of the 2013 NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to win, they were down 3-1 in the series and needed to stay alive. But, the St. Louis Cardinals wanted to close out the series in order to avoid going back to St.Louis. Adrain Gonzalez hit two home runs as part of his 3-4 night and the Dodgers won 6-4. Game 6 is in St. Louis on Friday.
The ALCS is now tied 2-2 after the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3. The Tigers fearsome pitching rotation has started to play well and could carry them all the way to the World Series.

Dodgers vs Cardinals, Game 3

Last night, the Los Angeles Dodgers and St.Louis Cardinals clashed in Game 3 of the NLCS. Hyun-Jin Ryu took the mound for the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Ryu tossed a gem, with only 3 hits in seven innings to leave the game with a shutout. But, the real hero for the Dodgers was Yasiel Puig who went 2-3 with an RBI triple to score the Dodger's second run. Adam Wainwright got the loss for the Cardinals, and the Dodgers won, 3-0.

2013 NLCS

The 2013 NLCS has started. In the first two games, the St.Louis Cardinals have pitched well and lead the series 2-0. The Cardinals have quite a bit of postseason and World Series experience on their roster. This should help them in coming games. The Los Angeles Dodgers, even with their huge spending over the last few seasons, have not won a game yet. Their chances of getting to the World Series are seriously in doubt. Tonight, Adam Wainright, who has a perfect 2-0 record this postseason, goes up against Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu in Los Angles for Game 3 of this series.

You can find my ALCS preview here.

2013 ALCS matchup is set

With the Detroit Tigers defeating the Oakland Athletics to advance to the ALCS, the matchup is set, the Boston Red Sox will face off against the Tigers in a best of seven series. The first game will be at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox, as top overall seed, get home field advantage. The first game will see Jon Lester for the Red Sox, and Anibal Sanchez for the Tigers pitching. This is sure to be an exciting matchup.
Later today, my post about the NLCS will be up.

Dodgers and Red Sox advance

This has been a great postseason so far. The Red Sox beat the Rays and the Dodgers defeated the Braves. But, the real intrigue is from two Game 5s happening in the next two nights. The St.Louis Cardinals play the Pittsburgh Pirates in a NL Central Division rivalry. In the AL, the Detroit Tigers head to Oakland to face the Athletics in a win-or-go home situation. These exciting matchups have been great for the MLB so far this postseason.

  

2013 NLDS

The 2013 NLDS has been very close so far. It features many interesting teams and good matchups. The Atlanta Braves and Los Angles Dodgers are tied 1-1. The Dodgers have spent quite a bit of money and are hoping to get to their first World Series in a long time. In the other series, the Saint Louis Cardinals play their inter-division rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates. This year, the Pirates broke their losing season streak of over 20 years. That series is also tied 1-1. I predict that the Cardinals and Dodgers will meet in the NLCS.

2013 ALDS

Even though the Yankees's season is over, the playoffs have started. There are two series going on in the AL.The Rays,after winning the Wild Card game, are going to Boston to play the Red Sox. The Detriot Tigers are playing the Oakland Athletics. I predict that the Red Sox and Tigers will win.

The Yankees' Season is Over

The Yankees' season has ended. They ended with a record of 85-77, good for 3rd place in the AL East. They endured a year of injuries and retirements and stayed in contention until the end of the season. They have many holes to fill and free agents to sign, including Robinson Cano, who will be a free agent. The Yankees ended the season by playing the Houston Astros and will open the 2014 season by playing them again. The next

season will begin on April 1st.