If the Texas Rangers are going to win the World Series, they will have to shake off an ugly, ugly Game 3 loss. Thanks in part to a missed call by the umpires in the fourth inning, St. Louis went on to win by a video game score of 16-7. A pretty good Cardinals hitter named Albert Pujols had a little something to do with it as well.
Pujols went deep three times to lead the Cardinals to victory and give them a 2-1 series lead. If Albert continues to look even close to that good at the plate for the remainder of the series, it will be enough to put St. Louis on his back and take home the trophy. Unless, of course, the Rangers just walk him from now on. Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus thinks that would be a pretty good idea.
“We cannot take chances on Pujols,” Andrus said after Game 3 according to the Dallas Morning News. “Everybody knows how good he is. We’ve got to execute pitches. If he doesn’t chase, give him first base. We’d rather seeMatt Holliday beat us than Pujols. You never want to see the best hitter beat you.”
We agree. In fact, we challenge you to disagree. There comes a time when you no longer attack a hitter like Pujols — especially in the World Series. Albert is arguably the best hitter in all of baseball. The Rangers are better off assuming he’s going to hit a home run every time he steps to the plate. If the bases aren’t loaded, don’t throw him a strike.
Fist pound to Hardball Talk for the story.
