Neither Nor

[caption id=”attachment_1812” align=”alignleft” width=”298” caption=”Albert needs to work on his Beast Mode pose.”][/caption]

The Cardinals had one starter last into the 6th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, and were the beneficiaries of both some spectacularly awful Brewers defense and the best week-plus of David Freese’s life. Of course I’m going to pick against them. Again. Even if Texas’ addition of a 3rd catcher (Matt Treanor) at the expense of some bullpen depth (Koji Uehara) for this World Series seems like the sort of roster move the micro-manager on the NL side of the field would indulge in. And even if Ron Washington’s shown he’s more than likely to one-up Tony LaRussa when it comes to being “strategic,” when Washington has the perfect “set it and forget it” line-up. And even if Washington’s going to continue using Derek Holland out of the rotation, instead of giving Alexi Ogando a well-deserved (and, at this point, probably necessary) shot. Either way, Texas is going to be stuck sending three lefty starters to the hill against two switch-hitters (Furcal & Berkman) and at least four highly competent right-handed hitters (Pujols, Holliday, Freese, and Molina). If that’s the case, why not start the three most effective ones, instead of the two good ones and a third that hasn’t pitched well yet this post-season?

Of course, the Rangers’ line-up won’t be a cakewalk, especially if the starting staff performs the same disappearing act they pulled against Milwaukee. Assuming Wash knows what’s good for the team, the lack of a DH in over half the series games means the guy that’ll sit during NL games will be everyman / Jeterian incumbent Michael Young. His prospective absence during most of these games might explain the tonguebaths this thoroughly professional yet over-valued has received since the Rangers clinched their 2nd consecutive AL pennant. (After all, crediting the two key off-season acquisitions, and their combined 62 HRs, for the Rangers’ success wouldn’t do, right? Nah, let’s give it up to the high-average, low-power utility guy with the decreased defensive efficacy that spent the pre-season whining about his PT. Even if he was the only non-Cruz to homer for Texas against the Tigers.)

As much as it is an open secret that my distatste for the Cult of LaRussa knows no bounds, he’s done a remarkable job this year, especially in the post-season, and especially with his bullpen. Given how much work they had to do during the NLCS, adding Jake Westbrook to the roster as the 8th guy makes perfect sense, even if it’s only a token gesture. Still, it’s doubtful the Cardinals will be able to duct-tape and chewing-gum together another batch of McGuyver-esque relief magic if Chris Carpenter’s the only guy they have that can get 18 outs. And if, as I’ve seen suggested in some corners, Westbrook’s addition means there might be some issues with Carpenter, then there’s little chance the Cardinals will be able to make this series competitive. The Brewers had a pretty good line-up; even with a pitcher in place of Young, the Rangers make the Brewers look like the Mariners. Still, I have faith that Ron Washington will keep the Cardinals in more games than necessary due to either a slow hook with a flailing starter (hello Mr. Holland) or excessive small-ball chicanery, even if I have an equal amount of faith that Texas’ abundance of talent will overcome those shortcomings. I’ll give the Cards one Carp start and one slug-fest (you can guess against which Ranger starter), but I’ll give the World Series trophy to TEXAS IN SIX.