Cardinals aim for 2-1 World Series lead vs Tigers
The St. Louis Cardinals got the job done in Detroit. They wrestled home field advantage back from the Tigers and in the process greatly improved their World Series odds.
Tony La Russa’s charges are still underdogs so far as winning the title is concerned but they’re the odds-on favorite to take a two-games-to-one series lead on Tuesday night. That’s because of which horse they’ll send to the mound in Game 3.
Chris Carpenter, the 2005 Cy Young Award winner, was 8-4 at Busch Stadium this season with a paltry 1.81 ERA. That compares to a 7-4 mark and a 4.70 ERA on the road.
Like their ace, the Cardinals were extremely comfortable at home in the regular season, posting a 49-31 mark.
Of course, worrying for Cards’ backers is whom one of those less-than-stellar performances came against.
On June 23, Carpenter allowed a season-high seven runs and nine hits in seven innings in a 10-6 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.
Also of note, Detroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez has enjoyed considerable success against the righty over his career. Hitless in eight at-bats in the World Series, Pudge is nine-for-26 (.346) with seven RBI lifetime against Carpenter.
In Game 3, he’ll face Detroit’s Nate Robertson. Though Robertson has never pitched against St. Louis, there’s still one player he won’t be excited to see. Struggling Preston Wilson is a career five-for-five against the lefty.
The World Series is finally here, with seven games (or less) between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals to decide who takes home the 2006 pennant. Get your World Series odds in the sportsbook and bet on the next world champion!
World Series Game 3 Prediction: Tigers 6, Cardinals 2.
