An Absolute Gem

As a sports fan, sometimes it is worth staying up past a bedtime.

Kids know this automatically, but adults, set in their ways or showing their age, respond differently.  

I wish I had last night.

Thanks to ESPN, I saw bits of an absolute gem.  Pitching from all corners was excellent, limiting each team to a couple of timely hits. A couple of defensive gems, one by Yasiel Puig, who came up small otherwise, and one by Carlos Beltran, who drove in all three Cardinal runs.  Double plays to extend the game, even the question of the night, "What is Andre Ethier doing out there?"

Give the Cardinal Bullpen a lot of credit for their work last night.  Seven innings pitched, three hits allowed is very solid work.  The Dodger Bullpen did good work (3.1 IP, 3 hits, 1 run), but a new pitcher, Kenley Jansen, gave up the hit that made Chris Withow the losing pitcher.  

Quick turnaround today as these teams get back on the field at 4 pm today.  Clayton Kershaw vs. Michael Wacha is an intriguing matchup.  Will Kershaw lose some steam pitching on short rest again?  Can Wacha repeat his performance against a lineup that is a little stronger than the one he faced in Pittsburgh?  Will anybody be awake after the late night feast of the night before?

Shifting gears to the American League, a good matchup in Boston tonight.  Anibal Sanchez, less than sparkling against Oakland in his last outing, against Jon Lester, whom nothing seems to fluster.  Of course, after lymphoma, even Miguel Cabrera looks tame.

I would think an important matchup here is Jim Leyland vs. John Farrell.  Leyland is the veteran, and if he is still operating at a high level, can keep the patched up Tigers moving forward.  He is the key until some healthier sluggers can produce like they are capable.  It is important to make some of the moves, like Perralta at short, providing a subtle difference.  Word is he is going back to Iglesias for Game One.

John Farrell has not been stretched as a manager, yet.  His team overpowered the Rays, and should be ready to keep things rolling.  Something to guard against, as we saw from the rested and ready Dodgers last night.

So...am I off base?