12/21/24
October 25, 2013
Cards Win, Even World Series at 1-1: An error by Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Breslow helped the St. Louis Cardinals score three runs in the seventh in a 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox to even the World Series at a game apiece. Michael Wacha got the win, Carlos Martinez threw two innings of relief and Trevor Rosenthal earned the save, giving the Cards a second postseason victory in a row thrown entirely by rookies. Carlos Beltran played despite his rib contusion and had two hits and an RBI. The next three games are in St. Louis.
I'd feel a little better if we knew what was going on with Clay Buchholz that he can't pitch Game 3 but can pitch Game 4.
posted by yerfatma at 11:15 AM on October 25, 2013
The stolen bases in the 7th changed the game. I've heard the Cardinals manager talking about it being a smart play, and scouting playing into it, but there's no way to predict Salty's bobbling the ball. If the runner is thrown out at 3rd, there's a good chance the Red Sox are up 2-0 and the Cardinals are answering difficult questions the last two days.
I believe the Cardinals knew if they got to the 8th, where the Red Sox have not hesitated to go to Uehara, they were in trouble and likely looking at being down 2-0 very quickly. So it was worth it to take chances in 7th. The Cardinals forced the issue, and the Red Sox failed to make plays, twice in fact, at 3rd base. If the Red Sox end up losing, I don't think it's a stretch to look back at the 7th inning of game 2 to see why.
No doubt the Cardinals are in the drivers seat. They're home, and the Red Sox now turn to two pitchers, one that had nothing the last game, and another that has said he has 'one' start left in him. The cracks the author of yerfatma link brings up were no secret. They've been there the whole time. The Red Sox have to play well enough to make up for the cracks. It's time for the offense to step up and act like the highest scoring offense in the game (against lesser pitching) or they're in trouble.
- The Red Sox are finally going with Nava over Gomes. Baffling it's taken this long.
- If Salty isn't hot, I'd rather Ross be the every day catcher, but I don't see that happening.
posted by justgary at 07:26 PM on October 26, 2013
Not surprising that they came right back and took Game 2. The Cards have a time honored tradition of getting blown out in Game 1. Happened in 82 and 87.