World Series Preview: Cardinals vs. Rangers

Having had the last few weeks to get over the loss of both the Phillies and the Yankees, the two favorites from each league to make it to the World Series, our attention can now shift to the two teams who are actually playing in the fall classic this year, the St.Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers.

Going for their 11th World Series title, the Cardinals have come back from the dead, being more than 10 games out of the wild card at the start of September.  It also helps when you have a healthy Albert Pujols and Tony La Russa as your manager, who by the way is third all-time in wins with 2,728, only 35 wins behind famed New York Giants manager John McGraw.

The expectations were raised this season for the Rangers who made it to the World Series last year and they never seemed to disappoint with an explosive lineup and a strong bullpen. With closer Neftali Feliz hurling his 100mph fastballs, it is a safe bet that Texas will have the game in check come the late innings.

In Bronxville at on Kraft Avenue, the crowds are still expected to pack the bar Wednesday night despite the absence of the Yankees, due to the World Series and karaoke!

"Were expecting a large crowd as Wednesdays is typically our busiest night of the week," said Eileen Hogan who is a bartender at J.C. Fogarty's, "people still seem to be excited about the world series, regardless of the teams and people are looking forward to watching the game and singing too!"

Peter Gallagher of Eastchester also plans on watching the game at the bar and thinks that it's good the Yankees are not in the World Series.

"These two teams spent half the money the Yankees and Mets spent and are proving that you have to develop young players, not buy over-priced veterans," said Gallagher

As usual, FOX will carry all seven games of the World Series, here is the schedule:

• Game 1 – Wednesday, Oct 19 -  Rangers @ Cardinals -8:05 p.m.
• Game 2 – Thursday, Oct 20    -  Rangers @ Cardinals -8:05 p.m.
• Game 3 – Saturday, Oct 22    - Cardinals @ Rangers -8:05 p.m.
• Game 4 – Sunday, Oct 23       - Cardinals @ Rangers -8:05 p.m.
• Game 5 – Monday, Oct 24       - Cardinals @ Rangers -8:05 p.m.
• Game 6 – Wednesday, Oct 26 - Rangers @ Cardinals -8:05 p.m.
• Game 7 – Thursday, Oct 27     - Rangers @ Cardinals -8:05 p.m.

Prediction is that this series will go seven games with Texas finding a way to come out on top in St.Louis in game seven and celebrate on the Cardinals turf. Texas simply has too many offensive weapons and their bullpen will carry them throughout the series.

Let Patch know who you think will come out on top in this year's fall classic in the comments section below.