Oh, my.
In case you missed it, Game 6 was one hell of a… something. Debacle? At times. Barrel of monkeys? Perhaps.
If you’re waking up as a Rangers fan, you’re thoroughly disgusted. Your team squandered leads in the 8th and 9th innings, managed to regain the lead in the 10th, give it right back in the bottom half of the inning, and ultimately lose it in the 11th. Cardinals’ postseason sensation David Freese pissed all over your Toaster Strudel, ripped your heart out, did a Texas two-step on it, and told you to like it.
If you’re a Cardinals’ fan, you couldn’t have penned a better ending to a game that was marred early and often by sloppy, Little League caliber play.
Steven St. John said it best on Twitter:
“Is there a keg in each dugout? I think both teams are drunk.”
After five—yes FIVE—early errors, it certainly appeared that way.
The bullpens were exhausted, the benches were emptied, and when the dust settled, one of the more memorable World Series games in baseball’s illustrious history was in the books.
Cardinals’ fan: Thank God for Game Seven!
Rangers’ Fan: Oh, Christ. Game Seven? Seriously?
Texas Rangers @ St. Louis Cardinals—Friday, 6:30 CT
It all comes down to this. Game Seven. Series tied. The thrilling cherry on top of a fudgy, nutty sundae of a postseason. And the best part of it all? I called it.
That’s right, in my World Series preview post, I said Texas St. Louis in 7. And I’m sticking by it.
I don’t care that it’s in St. Louis. I don’t care that Albert Pujols might hit 5 homeruns and drive in 12. Read my Bushy lips: Texas St. Louis will win this game. (yeah, that came out all wrong)
Look, I’m not going to pretend to know how this game will play out—that’s a fool’s move—but I will make a weird, slightly cryptic prediction. I think someone random– someone completely irrelevant—will be primarily responsible for the outcome of this game. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, your game 7 hero: ESTEBAN GERMAN Cardinals’ Outfielder Allen Craig.
That’s right, everybody. Ol’ Esty—who gave the Royals three years of, well, …baseball from ’06-’08—Craig is riding pine for the Rangers starting in left tonight, these days, and I’m expecting big, big things from the young man. Just wait and see.
Let’s take a gander at what weekend treats await.
New England Patriots (5-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)—Sunday, 3:15 CT
Were this game to take place in Foxboro, I think it would be an epic slaughter of Big Ben and Co. I don’t even think it’d be close. Wes Welker is a man possessed. Tom Brady is 6-1 against the Steelburgers.
Since they’re playing in Pittsburgh, however, I think that the Steelers will manage to keep it close—close, but still not quite enough to rape out a victory.
Since starting out the season getting thrashed by Baltimore, Pittsburgh has turned things around and now find themselves in sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Their success, however, has been softer than a baby’s foot. Their victory sheet reads like a who’s who of the league’s worst jokes: Seattle, Indy, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Arizona. They absolutely should be where they’re at; anything else would be almost unacceptable.
And although the Patriots have been miserable against the pass—32nd in the league, to be precise—there’s a likelihood that the Steelers will be without Hines Ward, who, if not out, will at least be hobbled with an ankle sprain.
Regardless of who plays injured and who doesn’t play at all, I think the team full of scrappy white guys takes this one.
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(#9)Oklahoma Sooners (6-1) @ (#8)Kansas State (7-0)—Saturday, 2:30 CT
If the K-State adage “Every Man A Wildcat” (EMAW) is true, then most assuredly, “Some Dudes Are Sooners, Too” (SDAST). This Saturday, the EMAW’s and the SDAST’s square off in Manhattan for the year’s biggest Big 12 matchup to date. Screw Mizzou and forget about the Mountaineers, there’s an actual game to be had.
The surprise Snyder-Show—undefeated on the year, not that you didn’t already know that—host their brand of cool, calm, collected and exceptionally coached football in the middle of Kansas on Saturday afternoon. The Sooners likely had their National Championship quest blown to bits last weekend at the hands of Texas Tech, and Stoops and Friends will most certainly be looking to avenge the death of their season’s hopes and dreams.
While it seems reasonable to think that the success of the Cats hinges on the shoulders of exciting playmaker QB Collin Klein, the real story here is whether Oklahoma will be able to demonstrate a sustained passing attack against the best passing defense in the conference. Something’s gotta give, and I’m gonna watch.
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Pittsburgh Penguins (7-2-2) @ Canadian City (?) Maple Leafs (5-2-1)—Saturday, 6 CT
We’ve got a real scorcher on the horizon, come Saturday, eh? Look for a high or low scoring contest between teams who may or maybe weren’t picked to be preseason favorites to win the coveted… Hockey Championship Trophy. I know that The Penguins have Sidney Crosby, though his name might be spelled Sydney. I know it’s Crosby, though. You’d have to be an idiot not to know that. But he’s had a concussion for like, a year and a half now… wait… did he die? Shit.
Look, I’ll drop the charade. I’d like to make a confession: I know NOTHING about hockey. I’ll wait while you mop up the Fruitopia you just sprayed across your computer screen in astonishment…
See, I don’t know the first thing about hockey. Well—I suppose I’m not being fair to myself. I know a little. I get the idea behind a power play, the concept of high-sticking, etc. What I mean to say is that I know nothing about the current STATE of hockey. My knowledge of the game begins and ends with NHL ’94 for the Sega Genesis. As far as I’m concerned, Jeremy Roenick is still a standout for the Blackhawks, Luc Robitaille is still kicking ass for the Los Angeles Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes are just a group of dudes who round up illegal immigrants at border crossings. The Penguins—my favorite on the game—had Ulf Samuelsson, Larry Murphy, Jaromir Jagr and some pretty decent dude named Mario Lemieux. All of this Lemieux cat’s stats were like, in the high 90’s. That was boss. 
I could have kicked your ass with the Penguins, I promise.
But alas, I got older. I outgrew NHL ’94– I outgrew video games in general– and what fleeting, insubstantial knowledge of NHL rosters and team strengths and weaknesses I had was brushed into the rubbish bin, like so much delicious poutine after the gravy congeals.
All excuses aside, I plan on learning. Well, I should clarify. I plan on attempting to watch most of a game, at least. Because before you know it, college football will be in remission, the NFL season will be done, and, unless the NBA gets its nonsense together, we’ll be left with snow-skiing and college hoops. You know, until I become an NHL expert.
I’ll keep you posted.
nice article
Cards could be in for a major letdown, but I’m not betting against ANYTHING these guys do. What a story. Hometown kid makes good and great, compelling entertainment. Fuck the east coast, if you don’t want to watch becasue of no Yankees or Red Sox, you can kiss my mole filled hairy ass, you’ve miised agreat series with two evenly matched teams. It’s Chinese food and game 7 tonight. Not much better than that. In the few hockey games I’ve seen in person, the key is to sit real high and watch the plays develop. The KState story is a real good one with a good guy getting the props he deserves. Bill Snyder is all what college football should be, but isn’t. Nice read.
Karma will have her hands full this weekend
How many millions of our tax dollars funded the creation of the Texas Rangers? All of it ending up in the pockets of people with more money than they could ever spend already?
St Louis still thinks they have a shot of having the US Capitol moved there. Their arrogance of believing they are soooo much better than the rest of the state makes them the Beverly Hillbillies of the swells.
Should the blimp deflate and crash into the stadium canceling the game we’ll know that bitch Karma has done her job.
I’m all for small market teams being in all championship games. Make the networks earn their money.
I’m sorry it is going seven games because the way poor lil’ Joe Buck acts there are places he needs to be rather than doing his job. Jagoff.
Dame Karma leaves her full impact on the OU/KSU game. The Wildcats eek out a win, finish the season unbeaten and play LSU for the phoney national title.
Here’s a tip for you on hockey. Just look at it like basketball on skates with an extra player. My expertise on hockey comes from freezing at the American Royal watching the KC Blues play. Then arriving in Philadelphia the same time the Flyers became a playoff team and won back-to-back Stanley Cups. See if you can get a copy of the HBO documentary on The Broad Street Bullies. If for no other reason than to watch their game against the Dynamo from the USSR. If hearing Kate Smith singing God Bless America before the game doesn’t bring a tear to your eye you ain’t human.
If you are looking for a gentleman’s game, I suggest lacrosse. When women are allowed to beat players who are slacking with sticks, well what could be better?
Since the SEC’s website put up the Welcome MU stuff prematurely (now taken down) and the Big 12 has welcomed West Virginia in joining Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas State, Kansas and Iowa State for next season, the long nightmare is over. For awhile.
St. Louis
Orphan, I go to St. Louis a lot.
I have family there and have known some people there for a long time. When it comes to baseball, they ARE better than anyone else in the state(and the damn country for that matter).
I haven’t come across a whole lot of “we’re better than you” attitude. In fact, the people I hang with are pretty impressed with KC and have noted a number of times how we’ve kicked their ass when it comes to making downtown at least tolerable.
Maybe you have a problem with St. Louis, and that’s cool, I really try and stay away from downtown StL when I can, but at least SOME part of the state is being shown in a great spotlight on national TV. That’s very cool, I think.
St. Louis has a lot to offer someone and for the most part, the people are very friendly.
Thanks, kcfred. Chinese food sounds great.
Always insightful, Orphan.
kcfred
The people I know in St Louis are just like the people you describe. The average bears I have met have been the same. I was indoctrinated in St Louis baseball at birth. My grandfather was scouted by both the Cardinals and the Browns. A drizzle on the day the scouts and a lack of enough dry balls caused him to throw out his pitching arm.
There is an attitude amongst the movers-and-shakers which makes them turn up their nose at the rest of us. Must be a virus as it seems to have taken root in Johnson County here.
I’m pulling for the Cards. It was hard when I moved to Philadelphia as a Cards fan. Harder still when the Royals won the AL the first time.
It seemed whenever June turned hot and humid the Phillies and Cardinals would be playing in town. It was a great rivalry with respect for both teams by both sets of fans at the time. Realignment killed that joy.
I was always intriqued by the “Mafia” in St Louis being run by the Syrians.
I love StL. The people there are … different. That doesn’t make them arrogant but that’s the way many people in KC seem to view it. I don’t think there’s another state in the union with the diversity of people Missouri has. North to South, West to East … they’re all different. I think that’s why, as a state, we don’t seem to get along all that well.
Whatever … GO CARDINALS!
” I don’t think there’s another state in the union with the diversity of people Missouri has.”
Well said.
–People of New York and California
Whats your lucky Card?
Funny stuff Lefty.
Orphan’s comments are great.
The Steelers and the Pats are both flawed teams.
Hines Ward is way past done, stick a fork in him. He is a blocker downfield.
Antonio Brown took his place and didn’t miss a beat.
I gotta dissagree with Lefty and Glaze.
Steelers win at home. The Pats can’t cover anyone.
Chuck
Eagles are 12-0 coming off a bye. They have been 9-3 vs the points.
If you have DeSean Jackson on your fantasy team this week, too bad. He started mouthing off about Rob Ryan so the D will be on him like stink on shit all game. Maclin will have a huge day because of the attention thrown Jackson’s way.
I’ll give the Cowboys D the nod, Eagles looked better in their last game. But only Gunther is using the crazy wide 9 D besides the Eagles.
With the game in Dallas I’m going with……….the Eagles. Both teams play better when in the other’s house. And Vick can turn the game around and carry the team much better than Romo. Romo is just a little better talent than Cassel.
Chiefs send the Chargers into their yearly death spiral, setting the stage for a sub-500 AFC champ.
Yeah, unfortunately, I think you may be right about Ward. He’s a super-tough guy, hard-nosed, but that style of aggression tends to take its toll.
Yep.
🙂
Did I say the Steelers win at home??
Brady spent more time on his ass than Steve Hawkin.
and, the Cowboys just changed thier names to
The Dallas Rented Mules.
Now, if the only voices in teh wilderness are 100$ correct, Orphan and I will be 3 for 3 with a KC WIN!!!!
oops
100%