World Series 2011: Will Game 6 Momentum Give St. Louis Cardinals Edge?

The simple breakdown of Game 6 will say that the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 10-9 in 11 innings to extend the World Series. But there was so much more to the game.

St. Louis was down to the final strike.

The final strike of Game 6.

The final strike of the St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season.

The final strike of the 2011 MLB season.

Twice.

Third baseman David Freese came through in the ninth inning when he tied the game with a triple that scored two. Then in the 10th inning, right fielder Lance Berkman hit a two-out double to tie the game at nine.

And finally, in the 11th Freese hit the walk-off homer to send the series to Game 7.

So will the magic carry over to Game 7?

Keep reading to find out.

Emotional High

How can St. Louis not be pumped up after last night?

They won a game that will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.

The Cardinals came back in historic fashion, becoming the first team to win a game in which they were down in both the ninth and in extra innings.

It was an ugly game for the first seven innings, but then the Cardinals started to show some of the magic that allowed them to even get into the playoffs.

St. Louis has to feel they have the advantage tonight, playing in front of a home crowd and all.

And for the Rangers, they have to pick themselves up off the floor and fight a very tough uphill battle.

Carpenter vs Harrison

Tonight in Game 7, Cardinals righty Chris Carpenter (11-9) will take on Rangers lefty Matt Harrison (14-9).

Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa decided to stick with his ace for the decisive Game 7, rather than the other two available pitchers, Edwin Jackson and Kyle Lohse.

In the other dugout, Rangers manager Ron Washington opted for Harrison over Derek Holland.

Both have had their troubles against their opponent so far this World Series. Carpenter has given up three home runs in two starts after giving up one in his previous six starts and Harrison gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings work in Game 3.

But Carpenter has to be favored to get the win here. He is a proven veteran ace who has experience with big games. In his last ten starts, five coming in the playoffs, Carpenter is 6-0 with a 2.05 ERA.

Injuries

In Game 6, two huge members of the Rangers offense, catcher Mike Naopli (pictured) and right fielder Nelson Cruz, got hurt.

Napoli sprained his left ankle sliding into second but remained in the game and his X-rays were negative.

Cruz re-injured his groin while at the plate in the top of the 11th and didn't take the field in the bottom of the inning.

Napoli is batting .375 with two home runs and 10 RBI in the World Series. Cruz hit six home runs last series against the Detroit Tigers and has two in the World Series.

The good news for the Rangers is that both are expected to play, but no one knows how effective they will be. 

Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday also suffered an injury and won't be playing in Game 7. In the sixth inning, he hurt his right pinky finger getting picked off at third base. 

However, Holliday is only batting .158 with no RBI in the World Series. He is a less important part of the Cardinals' title hopes right now than Napoli or Cruz is for the Rangers.

History

The Cardinals have a bit of history on their side.

St. Louis is 7-3 all time in Game 7 of the World Series. The last three Game 7's won by the Cardinals were won with Bob Gibson (pictured, left) in 1964 and '67 and Bruce Sutter (pictured, right) in 1982.

On top of that, they are 4-0 in Game 7's at home.

Beyond just the Redbirds, the past eight winners of a Game 7 in the World Series were all playing in front of a home crowd.

Cardinals Win

Tonight, the St. Louis Cardinals should be celebrating on the field in their biggest dog pile since October 2006 (pictured) with their 11th World Series title.

Chris Carpenter should out-pitch Matt Harrison and a potentially broken Rangers bullpen.

Albert Pujols will get another reason to add to the "pro" list about staying in St. Louis next year.

But the World Series MVP?

The hometown-hero. David Freese. He's batting .333 in the World Series with five huge RBI.

He's the man who kept the Cardinals season alive.

Twice.