Rangers heading for home plate
Betting tips 
/ Ed Wyatt / 27 October 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
...in 61 previous World Series, where the margin has been 3-2, the team with the 3-2 lead has gone on to win 41 times
Rain may have forced a one-day delay, but for Ed Wyatt it doesn't change the fact that the Texas Rangers are in a strong position to win the World Series.
After beating St. Louis 4-2 in Game Five, the Rangers hold a 3-2 lead as the series shifts back to Busch Stadium for Game Six and, if necessary, Game Seven.
Texas will be full of confidence after defeating Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter, who has been unstoppable in the post-season. Carpenter pitched well in Game Five, allowing six hits in seven innings and striking out four. But he gave up two big home runs to Mitch Moreland and Adrian Beltre. Carpenter didn't get the loss - that went to Octavio Dotel - but he proved he was human.
Game Six will feature the same two starting pitchers from Game Two. Texas will go with Colby Lewis, who has been their best starter in the playoffs. Lewis held the Cardinals to one run in 6 2/3 innings in Game Two and is 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three post-season starts.
St. Louis again counters with Jaime Garcia, who was equally effective in Game Two. Although the Cardinals lost, he kept Texas scoreless through seven innings, allowing just three hits and striking out seven.
So theoretically you'd expect another pitcher's duel in Game Six, but the way this series has played out, it will probably turn into a slugfest.
Texas got the key winning hits in Game Five, but part of the problem stemmed from St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa's inability to get the pitcher he wanted in from the bullpen. LaRussa, who has taken the blame, says he and bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist had a communication problem partly because of crowd noise. Whatever the case, it was a huge blunder and one the Cardinals can't afford again.
If you've followed my tips throughout this series, you know I've been solidly behind the Rangers. Even though this game is in St. Louis - where Texas has only scored four runs on 11 hits in two games - I'm backing the Rangers to get it done. History is on their side: in 61 previous World Series, where the margin has been 3-2, the team with the 3-2 lead has gone on to win 41 times.
