Just Pain
Cardinals 5 – Astros 2
I died a slow, painful death tonight. The Astros held a 2-1 lead early in the game, but every inning they didn’t score, the game got longer and I got more nervous. I knew the Cards would break out sometime. That sometime happened to be the sixth inning. I could feel it coming. That cracking sound wasn’t just Scott Rolen hitting a two run homerun; it was my heart breaking. Roger Clemens pitched an excellent game up until then, but you can’t keep throwing Albert Pujols and Rolen fastballs. I’m not sure why Clemens didn’t give them more off-speed pitches, but he didn’t and it cost him.
Can’t put all the blame on Clemens, though. Two runs won't win many ball games. Credit the Cardinals pitchers and fielders for holding Houston to only three hits. Jim Edmonds kept two runs from crossing the plate by making an unbelievable diving catch in center field.
The Cardinals didn’t have the best record in the Major Leagues by accident. These guys flat out know how to play ball. They really don’t have a weak spot. They can pitch, field, play small ball or hit the ball out of the park. That’s why I’m predicting St. Louis over Boston in six games. No telling with this crazy postseason, though.
There is a bright side to the Astros losing. Well, maybe it’s a dimly lit side. At least I get to sit back and relax while watching the World Series. It’s a lot easier to see the game sitting on the couch than pacing back-and-forth from the living room to the kitchen.
Bring on football!
