Posted:
#1
The big story line in this game is Matt Harrison verse Chris Carpenter. Everyone wants to give the nod to Carpenter and yes he does have the experience and is probably the better pitcher of the two on full rest. But thats just the thing, he is not on full rest. Chris Carpenter is a 36 year old pitcher who has battled injuries his entire career. Pitching on 3 days rest is not his game. The last time he did pitch on three days rest he barely lasted 3 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 walks and 4 runs. He is unlikely to be "on" tonight on short rest pitching his third game in nine days, he is just not that type of pitcher. But who are you going to turn to? Kyle Lohse? Thats not a much better option either. SO Carpenter on short days rest is the call and that means the Cardinals bullpen will play a vital role in the outcome of this game. Yes the same bullpen that threw 7 innings and 135 pitches last night (giving up 7 runs). So its safe to say they are wore out! The Cardinals three best bullpen arms will all go into tonights game running on fumes. Its safe to say that Salas who threw 48 pitches last night and Lynn who threw 32 will not be available. And even if they do pitch will be a shell of there normal selfs. Motte threw 27 and will probably be forced to pitch tonight but he hasnt been that effective anyways versus this Ranger offense thats feasts on the fastball. So what about the Rangers bullpen? They should all be just fine and at 100%. Ogando threw 12 pitches, Mike Adams thre 3, Feldman 16, and Feliz threw 22 which is nothing for him. Say what you want about the bullpens but you cant argue that the Cardinals bullpen is dangerously fatigued going into tonights game and that gives Texas a huge, huge advantage seeing as they can throw out all star caliber arms in Ogando, Adams, and Feliz. Not to mention Feldman who has been pitching very well and Derek Holland who has been this series x-factor. Im sure the Cardinals crowd will be rocking as expected but this is a terrible match up for them. Matt Harrison is no slouch and had better stats that Carpenter across the board this season. I see him giving the Rangers 5-6 strong innings whereas Carpenter will be lucky to get out of the 4th. This will also be the third time these Rangers hitters have seen Chris Carpenter in the last 9 days. And these Rangers are very good, and very smart. They adjust very well. I dont expect the Cardinals to go away quietly as we know better than that. But this is a terrible matchup for them. There bullpen is depleted, and Chris Carpenter is pitching for the third time in the last 9 days. Now we all know anything can happen. But the clear play here is the Texas Rangers. BOL 
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And here is another great fade, this is our day covers, Gucci AND CoachE! 
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