The Cleveland Indians Fan’s Guide to the World Series: Game Three

The World Series is thankfully all evened up and heading to St. Louis for the third game.

After a one-sided Game 1 to the World Series, it was nice to see a little competitiveness in Game 2. Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha won his fourth game of the postseason, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits and striking out 6 over 6.0 innings pitched.

The Cards equaled their Game 1 run total in the fourth inning when Yadier Molina drove in Matt Holliday to give the team their first lead of the series. The Red Sox answered back in the sixth when David Ortiz hit a 375 foot 2-run bomb to left field, giving Boston a 2-1 lead. However, the Cardinals answered quickly, and in the top of the seventh scored 3 runs to give them a 4-2 lead, which they held for the rest of the game.

Oct 25, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig (21) takes ground balls during workouts a day before game three of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

After Wacha was pulled, the Cardinals bullpen answered the call as Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal combined for 3 innings of one hit ball with 6 combined strikeouts to hold the lead and even the World Series at a game apiece.

Who’s Starting Game Three: Jake Peavy, who the Sox acquired at the deadline, will face off against Cardinals righty Joe Kelly. Both pitchers have been less than adequate this postseason. Peavy has pitched just 8.2 innings in 2 games, allowing 8 earned runs with a .294 batting average against. Kelly has pitched 16.1 innings, giving up 8 earned runs in 3 games.

X-Factor for Game Three: In a game with two pitchers who have had a tendency to allow men on base during the 2013 postseason, which one performs better? A turnaround by either Peavy or Kelly could be key to a Game 3 victory. If not, bullpen performance becomes key in a game that might be more high scoring than Game 2.

Prediction: The Sox win this one in a high scoring game, 8-6 as neither pitcher truly gets into rhythm. The win would give the Red Sox a 2-1 World Series edge.

Topic for Discussion: How great are St. Louis’ young pitchers? In addition to Michael Wacha, both Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal – who pitched in relief in Game 2 – could be staples of the team’s rotation down the line. It’s a testament to the team’s ability to not only scout effectively, but develop their players successfully as well.