World Series Game 6 Has Fans Awaiting Encore in Final Game

The words "Game 7" make up the most exciting phrase in sports, and if Game 7 of the 2011 World Series is even half as exciting as Game 6 was, sports fans everywhere will be in for a real treat.

This year's World Series became one of the most historic Fall Classics in baseball history Thursday night, when the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 10-9 after trailing by two runs in both the ninth and 10th innings.

David Freese's walk-off home run in the 11th inning forced a Game 7 on Friday, and set the stage for a dramatic finish.

If you didn't need heart medicine during or after Game 6 then bravo to you, because that game was one of the most exciting events I've ever seen in sports.

The Cardinals were down to their last strike not once, but twice. The Rangers had a two-run leads late in the game not once, but twice.

You have to admire a team like the Cardinals who just do not give up, especially after you come back to tie the game once when your season is about to be over, then come back a second time after the Rangers' Josh Hamilton hits a two-run home run that looked to be the winner.

How can Game 7 live up to the hype after such a dramatic Game 6? There are a few ways.

For one, the Cardinals send their ace onto the mound in Chris Carpenter. In his Cardinals postseason career, Carpenter is 6-0 with a 2.03 ERA. Those are great numbers and what you expect from your ace.

Pay careful attention to Carpenter's demeanor on the mound. He is a confident guy, and his swagger on the mound will calm his teammates in such a pressure-packed game.

The Rangers are the biggest and most exciting mystery to Game 7 on Friday night, how do they recover from two blown leads when the World Series trophy was almost in their grasp?

The character of manager Ron Washington's Rangers will show tonight, and if they can win the title after suffering one of the most heartbreaking defeats in recent baseball memory, then they will have to be mentioned among the most resilient teams of all time in the history of sports.

Game 7 of the 2011 World Series will live up to the hype, even after a thrilling Game 6. Everything is at stake tonight, and the finale to the baseball season will be very exciting to watch unfold.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates.  Follow @NicholasGoss35