RAPID REACTION:
What a wild World Series it’s been. After last night’s 3-1 victory, the Red Sox have taken a 3-2 game advantage in the series.
If you ask Red Sox fans, however, they’ll tell you Boston should have already won (barring a blown call).
In a crucial Game 3 played in St. Louis, the Cardinals narrowly escaped with a 5-4 victory after Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks was called for interfering in the base paths during the ninth inning.
The scene was as follows:
Koji Uehara, the Red Sox’s prolific closer, was on the mound in the bottom of the ninth with two runners on base. Cardinals outfielder John Jay ripped a sharp liner to second that was fantastically fielded by Red Sox infielder Dustin Pedroia.
Pedroia immediately fired home and gunned out the advancing runner. However, Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia tried to gun out Allen Craig (who was attempting to round third base) and overthrew. As Craig was sprinting home, he tripped over Will Middlebrooks’ leg and was subsequently thrown out at the plate by Right Fielder Daniel Nava.
However, third base umpire Jim Joyce (who famously blew the call on Tigers’ pitcher Armando Gallaraga’s perfect game) called obstruction on Middlebrooks, meaning that Craig was automatically safe at home. This was the first time a team has won on a “walk-off obstruction call” in a World Series.
WHAT IT MEANS:
For the Red Sox:
Had the Cardinals won Game 4 or Game 5 as well, Red Sox fans would be a lot more bitter. However, the Sox managed to pull off two straight victories against the Cards and now head home ready to clinch the series on the hollowed grounds of Fenway.
For the Cardinals:
The Cardinals have been here before. They were down 3-2 to the Texas Rangers in the 2011 World Series and are certainly capable of tying up the series and winning it. Winning two games on the road won’t be easy, but it is doable.
PREDICTION:
Game 6: Michael Wacha (STL) vs. John Lackey (BOS).
Edge: Cardinals. Wacha has been dominant in the World Series (posting a 1.00 ERA) and will continue to impress in a do-or-die game on Wednesday. While Lackey hasn’t been shabby either, I see the Cardinals rallying to a 3-2 victory in Game 6.
Game 7: TBA vs. TBA
Edge: Boston. The pitchers haven’t been announced for Game 7, but regardless of who is on the mound, the Red Sox will win. Boston has way too strong of a lineup to give up two games on their home field.
Griffin Guinta can be reached at griffin.guinta@theminaretonline.com