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World Series: Rangers head to St. Louis for Game 1 (VIDEO)

  • Al Dannity's Author profile. Al Dannity

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Al Dannity breaks down the deciding factors in the 2011 World Series and makes his call on Game 1 of the battle between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals make adjustments
Ever the creative mind, Tony La Russa has made two roster changes ahead of Game 1 of the World Series. The Cardinals have brought in Skip Schumacher and Jake Westbrook for the Fall Classic. Both were in the squad for the NLDS but subsequently dropped for the NLCS with Milwaukee.

Westbrook’s addition will do little to ease concerns over the health of ace Chris Carpenter. Normally a starter, Westbrook will likely be used in extended relief through the series. Schumacher’s presence should be watched closely by Baseball betting fans. He went 6 for 10 against Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt in the NLDS but was injured in Game 5 and was removed for the series with the Brewers.

Li’l Ron and the Rangers ready for redemption
The Rangers received a most unusual tribute from one young fan ahead of the 2010 World Series. Liam Roybal’s clever choice of Hallowe’en costume, as Li’l Ron Washington, earned him an invite to Game 4 last year.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW3PfM4u8s[/youtube]
Sadly for Roybal and ‘Big’ Ron Washington, it was not to be for the Rangers. Now a year on, the Rangers know what it takes to get to this stage. Everything after the ALDS was gravy in 2010. Now there is only one ultimate goal that will truly satisfy Josh Hamilton and the rest of the Rangers.

The verdict
This is going to be a drawn out series, one I can’t see ending in less than six games. There’s simply too much talent on both of these teams to see a sweep happening. Mental fortitude is going to come into play and the Rangers have no shortage of that. After the rollercoaster this franchise rode through its recent history, a second shot at the World Series in as many years is a testament to the emotional strength of this team. C.J. Wilson knows there will be a lot of pressure on him going into tonight’s Game 1 but all of the attention will be on Carpenter. This will allow Wilson to focus on his game and deliver enough room for the Rangers’ impressive batting line-up to take care of business. I like the Rangers to come out on top tonight.

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