2011 World Series Game 3 - Morning After Thoughts

2011 World Series Game 3 Recap: Rangers Will Need At Least Six

Magic Number: 3

There is an obvious story to be told from game three. Hopefully, more of the media will cover it than usual with these things. Just for the moment, just for this recap, only the players on the field.

The Rangers offense was there. They put to bed any concerns there was a World Series hitting malaise, and reminded people what they can do when not in cold pitchers' parks without a DH. They scored seven runs, and with almost a quarter of their balls in play (per FanGraphs) hit for line drives -- which just about matches the eye test of several hard hit balls straight at fielders for outs -- they were probably unlucky to only score seven. Enough to win most games. The offense is fine. The offense was not the issue. More timely hits would have made game three less of a blowout, but that is nitpicky.

What was not fine was the bullpen and the defense. After the call-to-be-discussed-later, Texas found themselves with one-on and one-out in the fourth, down 1-0. They were down 1-0 because of an Allen Craig home run in the first, but otherwise, Matt Harrison was pitching well, getting a strikeout an inning against no walks.

At this point, the Rangers were underdogs in the game, though not by a whole lot. Their Win Expectancy was just under 40%. Considering the relative strengths of the team and homefield advantage, it was likely closer to average, perhaps even favoring the Rangers. After the awful call, Texas was in a position where no one should have been surprised if they lost, but they were also not buried and done. They buried themselves after.

Mike Napoli played at first so Yorvit Torrealba could start. That was a decision that may well have backfired. After a double made it 2-0 and the bases were intentionally loaded, Napoli fielded a ball at first, threw it wide, and Torrealba could not corral it, allowing two runs to score. A follow-up single made it 5-0, and the Cardinals were now in dominant position. It should never be forgotten that Napoli is not trying to make a throw home with the bases loaded and one out if not for an incorrect call, but it was a poor defensive effort that seriously cost the Rangers.

From there, Albert Pujols destroyed the Texas bullpen. No reliever the Rangers could bring in was effective. Mark Lowe was the best, only allowing a single run in his inning. Scott Feldman allowed three despite keeping the ball in the park. Mike Gonzalez (2 ER), Darren Oliver (1 ER), and Alexi Ogando (3 ER) each allowed a homerun to Pujols, allowing him to add to his legend with five hits while becoming the third player ever to hit three homeruns in a World Series game.

That was that. The offense kept scoring and giving hope, but the bullpen could not handle the Cardinals. Texas lost by more than the four runs allowed in the fateful fourth inning. There is reason enough to believe they would have lost anyway, and if that makes you feel better about the game, cling to it.

There is no way to avoid saying this game hurt. On paper, this was probably the most Rangers-friendly game in the series, and -- for whichever of many reasons you want to blame -- they lost it. They are down in the series, needing to go 3-1 against a good team -- with two on the road -- to win the series. One more loss, and they are facing elimination. All these things are known, understood, and depressing.

There is reason to be okay, though. The series is also far from over. The Rangers are the better team, and nothing that happened tonight should dispel that notion. The offense showed up. The starting pitcher showed up before things out of his control screwed the whole thing up. The bullpen was bad, but we have just recently seen it be good. This was not a "Texas can't show up in the World Series" game. It was just an unfortunate game.

The Rangers should still be considered the favorites in three of the next four games, and likely close in the fourth. 3-1 is a depressing run to need, but not one anyone should be panicking over. Running the same model used in the series preview for the rest of the games (with a mediocre Josh Hamilton) gives Texas better than a two-in-five chance of winning still. Win tomorrow -- as they probably should -- and even without homefield advantage, they are back to being favorites.

This is bad. No one should expect Rangers fans to be happy. This game will be haunting forever if they fail for a second straight year. But it is not time to be haunted yet. It's time to be thankful baseball gives us another shot so quickly, and hope Texas can take advantage.

GAME CHARTS

Source: FanGraphs

Biggest Contributions (What is this, I don't even. . . ?)

1. Ian Kinsler -25%
2. Matt Harrison -22%
3. Alexi Ogando -21%

Alfonso Marquez's Strikezone from Brooks Baseball

VOTE FOR THE GOAT OF THE GAME!

2011 World Series Game 3 - Goat Of The Game

World Series Game 3, Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score: Albert Pujols Homers Twice, Cardinals Extend Lead 14-7

The St. Louis Cardinals extended their lead 12-6 from an Albert Pujols three-run home run off of Alexi Ogando to put the Cardinals up 11-8.

Ogando also gave up another run when Yadir Molina hit a sacrifice and scored Matt Holliday. That ended the sixth inning and Albert Pujols came up big for the Cardinals again by hitting his second home run of the game. His latest home run was a two-run shot off of Mike Gonzalez to extend the Cardinals lead 14-6.

The Rangers are trying to make a comeback and cut the lead down from 14-6 to 14-7 on a Mike Napoli sacrifice that scored Adrian Beltre in the bottom of the eighth.

World Series Game 3, Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score: Teams Exchange Three Runs In Fifth Inning, Cardinals Lead 8-6

The fifth inning continued at the fourth inning pace as the St. Louis Cardinals scored three runs off of Scott Feldman. In the top of the fifth Feldman gave up three hits, walked two batters and most damaging was the three runs he allowed.

The big play was a two-run double by Yadir Molina which just barely stayed air down the left field line.

The Cardinals were able to regain the three runs that Fernando Salas allowed in the fourth inning and now the Rangers are playing catchup once again. Due to Rangers Ballpark being a hitter field, the Rangers were able to match the three runs that the the Cardinals scored in the top of the fifth.

The Ranges scored three runs on three straight at-bats starting with a Michael Young double that scored Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre followed up with a shallow single to left field that scored Josh Hamilton and then a sacrifice fly by Mike Napoli scored Young to give the Rangers six runs in the inning.

World Series Game 3, Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score: Cardinals Lead 5-3 After Four Innings

The St. Louis Cardinals got on the scoreboard first with a solo home run by Allen Craig in the first inning off of Matt Harrison. Then after three scoreless innings both offenses came alive, first it was the Cardinals who scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning. All of the runs came off of starter Harrison, however there is some controversy over a non-call ou that would have resulted in a double play.

Take a look below for yourself, Mike Napoi applies the tag on the back of the shoulder and then on the head a full step before Matt Holliday reached the base, but he was ruled safe.

The next batter was Lance Berkman who singled to right field, and that was followed by a double from David Freese to score Holliday to put the Cardinals up 2-0. Then the Rangers intentionally walked Yadier Molina to load the bases then a ball hit toward Napoli who threw a wild ball towards home which allowed for two runs to score. With the five-run fourth inning the Rangers pulled Harrison for Scott Feldman.

The Rangers came back in the bottom of the fourth inning, first off of solo home run by Michael Young and then Nelson Cruz hit a two run shot to get the Rangers back in this game now only down 5-3.

2011 World Series Game 3: Josh Hamilton Believes He Has A Sports Hernia

Texas Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton has been suffering a groin for some time and during the American League Championship Series, Hamilton put his health at 50 percent. Hamilton now thinks the injury is a sport hernia:

"All signs point to it, but there are no tests, no MRI," said the Hamilton, who is 0-for-7 in the World Series and without a home run in 48 postseason at-bats. "I've talked about not being as aggressive because it hurts when I'm aggressive. But, I just have to go play my game."

If this is a sports hernia then it is something that Hamilton has suffered in the past, back in 2009 that cost him a month of the regular season. The extent of this injury is not of a concern to Rangers genearl manager Jon Daniels, because if Hamilton says he can play then he will play. When asked how he felt, Hamilton responded that everybody is hurt at this stage in the season.

2011 Worlds Series Game 3: HIgh Winds, Rain, Hail All Possible For Tonight

Tonight's World Series Game 3 shifts to Arlington, Texas and the weather will be warmer, but it could possibly see high winds, rain and even hail.

According to Weather.com the potential for rain is at 40 percent and if rain it would be intermittent and isolated thunderstorms during the evening with gusting winds. 

The storm right now is in Northern Oklahoma and moving toward the Metroplex area.

2011 World Series Game 3: Lineups Announced

Per Jeff Wilson, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Texas Rangers vs. RHP Kyle Lohse

Ian Kinsler - 2B

Elvis Andrus - SS

Josh Hamilton - CF

Michael Young - DH

Adrian Beltre - 3B

Nelson Cruz - RF

Mike Napoli - 1B

David Murphy - LF

Yorvit Torrealba - C

St. Louis Cardinals vs. LHP Matt Harrison

Rafael Furcal - SS

Allen Craig - RF

Albert Pujols - 1B

Matt Holliday - LF

Lance Berkman - DH

David Freese - 3B

Yadier Molina - C

Jon Jay - CF

Ryan Theriot - 2B

Back to the land of Designated Hitters!

Ron Washington is making some interesting, though not particularly controversial, decisions for his game three lineup. Despite his injury, Josh Hamilton will not sit, will not move down the lineup, and will not play a less-demanding position in the field. He will hit third, and he will cover center.

Yorvit Torrealba will get the start at catcher, giving the Rangers an extra righty against a righty. Mike Napoli will stay in the field, though at first base, and Michael Young -- who made a costly mistake in the field in game two -- will DH. you could make a case for starting lefty Endy Chavez, and giving Hamilton DH duties, especially with Lohse on the mound, but the Rangers hopefully have enough information to make this the correct call.

On the bright side, the Rangers will not be burned by an Allen Craig pinch hit. On the down side, they will see him multiple times in the game. He will allow Lance Berkman to DH, helping the Cardinals' outfield defense a bit.

Texas pitchers will get relief from Ranger-killer Nick Punto, as Ryan Theriot gets a surprising start at second. The move is a defensive upgrade on paper, but with the Cardinals' most fly ball-prone pitcher on the mound, the upgrade may be minimal.

2011 World Series Pitching Matchups & Probabilities Updates

World Series Game 3, Cardinals Vs. Rangers: Series Shifts To Arlington

The World Series shifts to Arlington, as the Rangers and Cardinals get set for Game 3 on Saturday night.