MLB World Series 2011: Rangers Bullpen Is Murdering a Terrific Texas Team

Alexi Ogando has gone from hero to goat in a flash.

After looking unhittable against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, he is one of the main reasons the Rangers are down 2-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

He gave up one run and three hits in 7.2 innings against the Tigers, and has now given up four runs in one inning against the Cards. He gave up back-breaking RBI singles to Allen Craig before completely imploding on Saturday.

After being a starter for most of the season, it appears the 180 total innings logged on his 28-year-old arm are really catching up to him at this point.

But Ogando is far from alone.

ESPN's Jim Caple talks about how much work the Rangers bullpen has endured in the month of October:

"The Rangers have only two quality starts this postseason, and in their 13 games, the starter has gone five innings or less eight times, including Game 3, when Matt Harrison lasted just 3 2/3 innings. The bullpen has saved the Rangers this month, but Saturday was a disaster for the relievers, who allowed 11 runs, nine hits, five walks and three home runs. The Texas 'pen has thrown 52 innings this postseason."

If Colby Lewis hadn't been able to go 6.2 innings on Thursday, the Rangers might have needed Nolan Ryan to start warming up.

With 117 pitches thrown by the bullpen on Saturday, the Rangers are desperate for a big performance from starter Derek Holland in Game 4.

Maybe this isn't the time to remind Rangers fans that he has yet to pitch more than five innings in a game in the postseason, going 2.2 and 4.2 innings, respectively.

Expect another short start, and expect the Cardinals to keep working the pitch counts to take advantage. The fatigued bullpen could use a day off, but without it, and with their worst starter on the mound, it's hard to picture a scenario where the Cards don't score at least six or seven runs.

It will be up to the vaunted Rangers offense to save the season.