It is time for the 2011 Fall Classic to begin. This year we have the Texas Rangers returning from last year's World Series and the St. Louis Cardinals, making somewhat of a surprise appearance. The Cardinals, who snagged the National League Wild Card by making a late run and benefiting from the Atlanta Braves collapsing, defeated the heavily favored Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers to get here. The Rangers, who won the American League West, beat the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers to repeat as AL champions.
The Cardinals will have home field advantage thanks to the NL's victory in the All Star Game this summer. They also have some key veteran players; a few that are held over from their 2006 championship, which includes none other than "all-world" first baseman Albert Pujols. The Rangers roster is mostly made up of players that experienced the World Series last year, even though they suffered a loss. Rangers outfielder and ALCS MVP Nelson Cruz soars into the World Series hoping to continue his clutch power hitting for the next few games. Manager Ron Washington has his Texas team playing loose and confident. And although I expect the Cardinals veteran and saavy manager Tony LaRussa to know what buttons to push, I believe the Rangers will win their first World Series. I think this is the Rangers year and they will be hungry to win after last year's disappointing loss to the San Francisco Giants. The Cardinals, who are truly playing with "house money" if you will, will see their improbably playoff run end. Rangers win in 6 games.
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