Sunday, October 22, 2006

...but the sacrificial lamb had long, pointy teeth.



Thanks to last week's seven game NLCS, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes was only supposed to be a rotation spot fill-in, someone to eat up five or so innings and keep the damage to a minimum during last night's Game 1. (That's the polite way of saying he was cannon fodder.) But someone forgot to tell him that.

Game 1 of the World Series: eight innings, four hits, two runs, four K's, and a walk. That's a line I'd expect from a Smoltz, a Clemens, a Johnson, or a Schilling. It's not what I expect to see from a 25-year-old rookie with six career wins; not against a line-up as potent as Detroit's.

Of course, Reyes did have some help. Scott Rolen's shoulder didn't look too balky after all, as he pulled a fastball into the left field seats. The Albert kindly thanked Verlander for that meatball he served up in the third inning. And then there was the sloppy, error-filled baseball the Tigers treated us to.

I still think Detroit will win the Series. Heck, they could still do it in five, although it's gonna take a much better effort from the Tigers. And a lot more walks to Pujols.
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Game 2 begins at 7:30 EST tonight with Jeff Weaver and Kenny Rogers on the mound (although not at the same time).

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