World Series 2011: 7 Things to Watch for in Rangers vs. Cardinals Game 2

Allen Craig became just the fifth player in World Series history to pinch-hit a go-ahead run when he knocked home the eventual game-winner last night in Game 1 of the World Series. Getting a 1-0 series lead puts the Cards in the driver's seat, as 61 percent of Game 1 winners win the postseason series. 

In some ways, Game 1 was as advertised, with both bullpens coming in and pitching multiple innings of strong relief. Technically, the deciding run was charged to CJ Wilson, but Alexi Ogando was brought in to retire Craig and failed to do so. It was the only mistake by either pen.

Game 2 becomes all the more critical now for Texas, as 39 of 51 teams who have gone up 2-0 have won the World Series.  Aside from that, a Cardinals win would mandate that the Rangers win the Series on the road. 

For St. Louis, a win is a luxury, and a meaningful one. Aside from the obvious statistical advantage that brings, it also means they are assured of not losing the series in Texas. Of course, a 76-percent chance of winning the series if they win tonight is pretty nice, too. 

No matter what the stats say, the series isn't over until a team wins it's fourth game, not it's first.

Here are seven things to watch for in Game 2. 

Can Either Starter Make It Deep?

Both rotations have been having a rough go of things throughout the postseason.

Only three pitchers from the two teams have served up quality starts in the postseason, and two of them face off tonight.

Both had quality starts in their LDS series but got hit hard in the LCS. 

For the Rangers it is Colby Lewis, who has two starts during the postseason.

The first was a quality start, giving up just one run on one hit. In his postseason career, Lewis is 4-1 with an ERA of 2.37 and a WHIP of 1.10. The Rangers will need to have their best postseason pitcher step up tonight. 

On the flip side, the Cardinals will be sending out their second-year starter Jaime Garcia.

In three postseason starts, Garcia has yet to record his first win. In his first start he took a tough loss, after pitching seven innings and giving up just three runs. 

Because of the rotations getting deep into the games, both teams have also relied heavily on their bullpen. If either team can have their starter get deep into the game, that could be a welcome relief to the bullpen and make a difference beyond the outcome of tonight's game.

That extra rest for the pen could come into play later in the series if one is more rested than the other.  

How Is Josh Hamilton Swinging?

There were some disconcerting moments for Rangers fans last night.

It was clear that Hamilton was suffering—and more than just a little.

When he was swinging the bat, it was evident that he was feeling his groin injury.  

He was not smooth in his swing, grabbing at his groin on two occasions after swinging. 

Furthermore, after running back to make a play in the outfield, he was slow in turning around to make the throw into infield, a delay which allowed a baserunner to advance. 

If Hamilton is hurting that much, it might be that his home-run drought won't end this season.

That is a significant loss for the Rangers. Even if he's playing, the loss of his power is a concern for Texas. 

How Is Albert Pujols Ankle?

Albert Pujols took a pitch off the ankle last night, and for the remainder of the game was noticeably limping.

It is unlikely that this will cost Pujols any playing time, but could it cost the Cardinals a run?

It may depend on whether this is the sort of thing that gets better overnight or worse overnight.

If it does get worse, or even doesn't get better, the potential is there.

Pujols was not able to run at full speed, and he's not the fastest guy in the majors anyway.

It could be the difference between being able to score from first or not being able to. 

Can the Rangers Get Production from Their 3 or 4?

Last night, the three- and four-hole hitters for the Rangers went 0-8 with no walks.

It continued a trend of neither player producing much during the postseason. 

So far in the playoffs, Young has been pretty bad. In fact, last night his average fell below the Mendoza Line to .191. His on-base percentage is just .224. His slugging percentage is a meager .349. 

Hamilton has been better, but not Hamiltonian.

His slash numbers are only .267/.286/.378. This is obviously, and by his own admission, a result of his injury. 

If the Rangers are gong to win the World Series, they are going to need to get some production from their three and four, particularly when the Cardinals are getting so much out of theirs with Albert Pujols sporting a 1.179 OPS and Matt Holliday a .943 OPS. 

Either Ron Washington needs to change the order of the lineup or they need to get going if the Rangers are going to make this a competitive series. 

Can Colby Lewis Get the Cards Down in Order?

Last night, the Cardinals put runners on in all but one inning: the seventh.

By comparison, the Cardinals kept the Rangers off the bases in four innings.

With the Rangers now trailing 0-1 it will be even more meaningful to keep runners off the bases. 

It adds stress to the pitcher to constantly have to worry about how any pitch can make the difference in the game, and that is enhanced if you have runners on base all the time.

When you include the fact the Rangers went down 0-2 last year, it adds to that stress. A big key to their chances of winning tonight will be keeping the bases empty. 

Obviously, this is true in any game, but in this situation it is even more true because of the mental pressure it adds to the pitcher. 

Will the Cardinals Score First?

The Cardinals have scored first in their last eight games.

In those games they are 6-2.

Persistently playing with a lead in the postseason has a psychological advantage—particularly when it happens throughout the series. 

If the Cardinals can get on top of the Rangers early, it will put all kinds of bad memories in Rangers heads as they went down 0-2 to the San Francisco Giants last year in the World Series. 

Who Will Be More Patient, Jaime Garcia or the Rangers Hitters?

Jaime Garcia is only a second-year pitcher, and this is a lot of pressure on him.

This year he was tremendous at home, recording a 9-4 record, a 2.55 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.

During two postseason starts at home, the performances have been better than his 0-1 record might indicate.

He's only given up four earned runs in 11.2 innings. 

For Garcia the key will be composure. The Rangers will be feeling the pressure, and last night they weren't taking a lot of pitches. If Garcia can be patient, the Rangers may press and start swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. 

Conversely, if the Rangers are patient and make Garcia throw strikes, it could get into his head. Garcia has been known to implode once the pressure builds (hence his early departure in his last start). 

The outcome of this game may rest on who has the most patience—Garcia or the Rangers lineup. Whoever presses first might be the loser of the game.