2011's One Key Question to Decide the World Series

Monday, October 17 2011 @ 12:25 AM EDT

Okay, actuallly two questions. But they're so interrelated, they should count as one as the Cardinals (probably the least strong of the NL playoff teams) take on the Rangers (probably the stromgest of the AL playoff teams) in this year's Fall classic.

1. Which team has the least horrible starting pitching?
2. Which team has the better bullpen?

Let's give the Cardinals the edge in rotation ace and the Rangers the edge in closer. What say you all, noble Bauxites, about the other moundsmen of WS'11?

There are other matchups worth considering ...

• MGR ... Tony LaRussa over Ron Washington, right?
• 1B: Phat Albert wayyy over whatever version of Moreland, Young and Napoli the Rangers toss out there.
• 0F Cruz, Murphy/Chavez/Gentry and Hamilton vs. Berkman, Jay and Holliday. Call it a draw.
• Middle infield: Andrus and Kinsler vs. Schumaker and Furcal. Easy edge to Texas.
• 3B: Freese has been hot (that's ironic) but still, probably Beltre.
• C: Molina/Laird vs. Torrealba/Napoli ... gonna go with the Rangers here.
• DH: Young/Napoli ws. I have no idea ... the middle three games favor the home Rangers here.
• Fan base: The last two years have awakened and energized North Texas baseball appreciation. But the Cardinals have the best fans in the NL and arguably in all of baseball.
• Tradition: Stan Musial and Lou Brock vs. Ivan Rodriguez and Toby Harrah. Bob Gibson vs. Rick Helling.  No further comment necessary.

But overall -- and all of this is just to start the conversation and off the top of my head, so correct me, argue a point or a conclusion , a misconception -- overall, let's say Rangers in six. Your MVP is of the Series is Ian Kinsler, No  Ranger starter gets into the seventh inning, but only one Cardinal starter even makes it past the fifth.

Get here, Wednesday! Let's play ball!

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