Rangers vs. Cardinals Game 1: Chris Carpenter to Shut Down Potent Rangers Lineup

St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will cool off the hot Texas Rangers bats in Game 1 of the 2011 World Series at Busch Stadium on Wednesday.

Carpenter has been the Cardinals go-to pitcher this postseason, and will have the tough task of finding a way to stop the Rangers offense from scoring as many runs as they did against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS.

Carpenter has to shut down Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, who became the first player in baseball history to hit six home runs and drive in 13 runs in a playoff series.

With the first two games of the series being played in a National League ballpark, the Rangers won't have the luxury of a designated hitter, which will take away a good bat in their lineup.

This will certainly help the Cardinals who aren't having a tough time scoring runs themselves.

Carpenter is 2-0 this postseason in three appearances, and has a 3.76 ERA. When Carpenter has had to play perfect, he's excelled.

His complete game shutout in the deciding Game 5 of the NDLS against the Philadelphia Phillies was the best pitching performance of the 2011 MLB playoffs.

Carpenter shut down the vaunted Phillies lineup with ease, and he will do the same against the Rangers. He will use his good fast ball along with his effective off-speed pitches to fool hitters.

The Cardinals will be able to relax on the field knowing that their ace is on the mound, and will give the team a chance to win the crucial opening game of the World Series.

The Rangers played well against the Tigers in the ALCS but the pressure of the World Series is another ball game.

Texas was in the World Series last season but lost to the San Francisco Giants in five games, and although they won't be rattled by the bright lights of the moment, they are still under pressure to not fail for the second straight season.

Carpenter and the Cardinals are veterans, and many of them won the 2006 World Series with the team. Led by Carpenter, the St. Louis Cardinals will win Game 1 of the World Series against the Rangers.