World Series Schedule 2011: Why Winning Game 1 Is Vital for St. Louis Cardinals

Game 1 is going to end up determining who wins the 2011 World Series.

Yes, this game is that big.

The St. Louis Cardinals were gift wrapped the home-field advantage because of a July home run by Prince Fielder, and now they must utilize it.

Tony La Russa didn’t have too hard of a decision to make when he announced that ace Chris Carpenter would start, who has been spectacular over the past month.

The rest of the rotation is not World Series worthy.

Kyle Lohse and Edwin Jackson are cast offs that haven’t pitched great in the postseason, and the 25-year-old Jamie Garcia has been up-and-down. Nobody expects them to ever give them more than a handful of innings per starts.

Those three will start game’s 2-4 and that means the bullpen is going to be used early and often. Sure the bullpen has been spectacular, led by Jason Motte, but how much gas do they have left in the tank?

The offense of the Redbirds exploded against the Brewers thanks in large part to Milwaukee’s LCS record nine errors.

In reality, the Cards have three tremendous sluggers in Albert Pujols, Mat Holliday and Lance Berkman…and not much else. LCS MVP David Freese is going to come back to earth and the rest of the lineup pales in comparison.

The Rangers have the much better lineup and more pitching depth than the Cards.

St. Louis need to keep the home-field advantage, they need to get a win with Carpenter on the mound.

If the series goes back to Arlington tied or with the Rangers up 2-0…the Cardinals are in huge trouble. Not because of the lack of veteran experience, St. Louis has plenty of that, but because of the three straight games in Texas and the strong advantage the Rangers have in their lineup and on their staff as the series rolls on.

No pressure Carpenter, but you better go at least six innings and give your offense a chance to do the rest…or this series is going to be over in a hurry.