MLB: World Series Preview

With both Championship Series behind us, there remains only one step left on the quest to crown a 2011 baseball champion: the World Series. I went 1-for-2 in my predictions, and really only missed the NLCS prediction because the dang Milwaukee Brewers didn't realize they were supposed to force a 7th game. So really, not my fault - I'll call it a win. But now, thanks to the little team that could and an unrelenting rightfielder, the premiere teams in baseball are set to square away in a 7-game series.

The St. Louis Cardinals have ridden the wave of momentum, all the way from qualifying as the NL's Wild Card team on the final day of the regular season, through knocking off the World Series favorite Philadelphia Phillies, then besting their NL Central rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers, and now set to take on the Texas Rangers.

Those Rangers are an offensive juggernaut that has kind of gotten an easier ride to the Series: after first getting hit in the mouth by the AL Wild Card-winning Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS, they cameback to win 3 straight against a team that really seemed eager to get themselves out. After that series, they took on a top-heavy Detroit Tigers team who limped into the ALCS with injuries to some major offensive weapons and then were exposed by a pretty dominant Rangers bullpen. That, and rightfielder Nelson Cruz decided that he wanted to make history, hitting 6 home runs in 6 games and driving in 13 runs.

My thoughts going into the World Series are as follows: the Cardinals have made it this far without having very good production from their starting pitching or reliable weapons on offense. The key for them to come away with the 2011 World Series trophy lies in the hands of ace pitcher Chris Carpenter, stud first baseman Albert Pujols, and NLCS MVP and overall surprise third baseman David Freese. For the Texas Rangers, their lineup has lived up to every expectation: speed and high average at the top of the lineup with Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus, and then an assortment of power hitters scrambled between Mike Napoli, Josh Hamilton, and playoffs-breakout Adrian Beltre. Their starting pitching hasn't been amazing (kind of a major plotline for all teams throughout this year's playoffs), but the bullpen has been great between Mike Adams, Alexi Ogando, and closer Neftali Feliz. The key for this team will continue to be the offense, which can pull the team to a win even if the pitching may not show up in a big way. However, big performances by #1 starter CJ Wilson or some of the other arms in the rotation will do a lot in bringing the city of Dallas its second major sports championship of the year, and the first World Series championship to the Texas Rangers organization.

My Prediction: Party in Dallas! Rangers in 6.