Wild-Card Cardinals



Cards Skipper Tony LaRussa Hoist his 3rd WS Trophy

 On Friday night Rangers OF David Murphy flied out to Cardinals Left Fielder Alan Craig to give St. Louis a 6-2 World Series win in game seven. The Cardinals had just won their 11th World Series Championship putting them second all time behind the Yankees 27.

On August 25th the St. Louis Cardinals were 9.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves for the lead in the NL wild-card, and with only a month left of the season. Nobody thought they would be in the playoffs let alone winning the World Series. even Cardinals Third Baseman David Freese said that if you would of told him in the begging of September that the Cardinals would be in the playoffs he would have said "No chance." Freese was the World Series MVP after hitting the walk off home run in game six to force a game seven, and in game seven he got the cardinals going by tieing the game at 2-2 with a two run double. Freese also set a record for the most RBI's in postseason history with 21, and batted .397 through out the postseason. As for the Rangers they also set a World Series record by allowing the most walks in a World Series with 41 (no typo.) This has been the second straight season that the Texas Rangers have walked away just short of their first World Series title in their history.



Cardinals celebrate in clubhouse after winning their 11th WS

 So with the Cardinals accomplishing baseballs number one goal. What does this mean for Albert Pujols? He is set to be a free agent this season, and the Cardinals still haven't signed him to a long term deal. I'll be very surprised if St. Louis does not bring him back, because without Pujols most likely the Cardinals wouldn't have even made it to the playoffs. Pujols batted .355 hit five home runs, and tallied 20 RBI's to help push the Cardinals into the playoffs. In the World Series Pujols tied the record for most home runs in a World Series game with three hall of famers Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth were the only others to do so. He also kept the Cards in the game in game six when he hit a double with one out to get on base, and later would draw an intentional walk to put him on first base and move John Jay to second. Giving Lance Berkman the opportunity to step in single in Jay and tie the dramatic game six in the 10th inning.

Ron Washington after losing his second straight WS as
The Rangers were outscored 38-30 by the Cardinals 

For the Cardinals not to bring back Pujols it would be a huge mistake as St. Louis has won two World Series in the past five years during Pujols tenure. With that being said I would expect the Cardinals to try and bring Pujols back come hell or high water, however look out for the Chicago Cubs this off season. The Cubs acquired GM Theo Epstein from the Boston Redsox this year, and Epstein has been know for making big deals for big market players. You can expect the Cubs to be in the bidding war for Albert as the Cubs haven't won a World Series in 105 years.



NFL Scores & Predictions Week 8

Arizona @ Baltimore:  Baltimore needs to get back on track in order to win the AFC North. I think they do it this game with Ray Rice going over 100 yards Rushing & Anquan Boldin Scores a TD Vs his former team. Baltimore wins 24-13

Minnesota @ Carolina:  Cam Newton wins his second straight game at home, and his second game Vs a QB of the class of 2011, but Christian Ponder still performs well. Carolina wins 28-21 (OT)

Jacksonville @ Houston:  Andre Johnson is out for a 3rd straight week, but i still expect Houston to take advantage of what Baltimore didn't. Houston wins an easy one 27-13

Miami @ New York Giants:  Brandon Marshall has already guaranteed a win for the Dolphins in this one. Too bad hes wrong. Gmen win it 24-14

New Orleans @ St. Louis:  The Rams have been outscored 171-56 this season I expect the left hand column to go up, and the right hand column to stay the same. Saints destroy 35-0

Indianapolis @ Tennessee:  After losing 62-7 last week Vs the Saints the Colts are still looking for their first win of the 2011 season, but they still wont get it. Titans win 20-17

Washington @ Buffalo:  I'll say this again regardless who the skins have at QB their still not good Santana Moss is out 5-7 weeks & RB Tim Hightower is on IR. Bills Fred Jackson goes for 100 yards on the ground, and back up C.J. Spiller returns a punt for a TD. Bills win 28-16

Detroit @ Denver:  The Lions are on a 2 game losing streak, and people still aren't sure what to think of them. Tim Tebow proved he's a clutch player, and at Mile High Stadium you'll be able to hear the Tebow chants miles away. Matthew Stafford is questionable, but even if he doesn't play i still like Lions backup Shaun Hill. Lions win 24-17 (It's hard to go against Tebow)

New England @ Pittsburgh:  Game Of The Week! Another tough game Hines Field will be going Crazy for this one. The Patriots have won 5 of their last 6 meetings here, but i don't think they can get it done in this one. Pitt wins it 24-21 (Last second FG)

Cincinnati @ Seattle:  Rookie Andy Dalton has been outstanding this season, and so has the Bengals D which is ranked 4th in the league. But can they handle one of the loudest stadiums in the league? I guess will find out, but as of right now my moneys on Seattle 21-10

Cleveland @ San Francisco:  Cleveland's defense has surprised everyone their in the top 5 in the NFL, and are 3-3, but i don't think they can beat the 49ers and Ted Ginn Jr. 49ers win 27-20 

SNF Dallas @ Philadelphia:  Game Of The Week! The NFC East remains very much in question, but Philly is 12-0 after the Bye week under head coach Andy Reid. I think they improve to 13-0 as The Eagles win it 28-24

MNF San Diego @ Kansas City:  Kansas City is looking like the team they were last year, Phillip Rivers is struggling, and the Chiefs are at home. Matt Cassell to Dwayne Bowe is becoming a lethal weapon for the Chiefs lately so i like them in this match up. Chiefs win 27-18

In Other News...

• The NBA has Cancelled games through out the month of November, but reports say they just need to settle on the league revenue split.
• Joe Paterno gets his 409th win as Penn St. head coach. He becomes the winningest head coach in Division 1 College Football
• Cowboys release RB Tashard Choice, and are now down to two running backs for Sundays game
• Detroit Signs Safety Chris Harris. Harris was cut earlier this week by the Bears
• World Series Game 7 drew 25 Million Viewers on Friday making it the most watched ballgame Since the Redsox in 2004
• Bernard Pollard fined 10 grand by the NFL for his hit to a so called "defenseless receiver" in last Monday nights game. Check out the video below the NFL is just getting out of hand with this NFL=National Fining League