World Series Preview

So it's all come down to this. For all the talk during the offseason, preseason and regular season about the Phillies and Red Sox, we're left with the Rangers and the Cardinals playing each other for the World Championship. Whoever wins, we're likely going to see quite a bit of offense in this series. Outside of C.J. Wilson and my boy Chris Carpenter, neither team has a shutdown pitcher - though both have solid staffs, and Tony La Russa has looked like a genius managing his bullpen. That said, here's my preview/prediction:


Rangers vs. Cardinals

Offense (My best approximation of their likely ideal lineup in an NL park, since STL has home field)
C: Mike Napoli (X)) vs. Yadier Molina; Molina's amazing defensively, but can't match Napoli's bat.
1B: Michael Young vs. Albert Pujols (X); Not even a question. Next. 
2B: Ian Kinsler (X) vs. Nick Punto; Kinsler's a 2-time 30/30 guy, Punto has hit 14 HRs total in 11 seasons.
3B: Adrian Beltre vs. David Freese (X); Seeming mismatch, but Freese was NLCS MVP for a reason.
SS: Elvis Andrus (X) vs. Rafael Furcal; Andrus is a bigger speed threat and a better defender.
LF: David Murphy vs. Matt Holliday (X); Holliday's power gives him the edge.
CF: Josh Hamilton (X) vs. Jon Jay; Even w/ a groin injury sapping his power, Hambino is still a force.
RF: Nelson Cruz (X) vs. Lance Berkman; Cruz is on a historic tear right now.
*DH/AL hitter: Mitch Moreland vs. Allen Craig (X); Moreland's looked terrible lately.
Offense Edge: 5-4 TEX

Starting Pitching (* means I'm guessing)
C.J. Wilson vs. Chris Carpenter (X); Carp beat Halladay 1-0. What more does he need to prove?
Colby Lewis vs. Jaime Garcia (X); Garcia has the better chance to have a shutdown start.
Matt Harrison* (X) vs. Kyle Lohse; Harrison's postseason ERA: 4.22 - Lohse's? 7.45.
Derek Holland* (X) vs. Edwin Jackson; Both have been bad so far in October, but Holland less so.
Starting Pitch Edge: 2-2 Tie

Closer
Neftali Feliz vs. Jason Motte (X); Feliz hasn't blown a save yet, but Motte's been unhittable.
Closer Edge: 1-0 STL

Overall: TEX: 7 - STL: 7

On paper, this looks like it's going to be an extremely close series between two very similar teams. Both teams have overwhelmingly powerful and dynamic offenses, with one ace each backed by a solid rotation and dominant closer. If Hamilton hits anywhere close to his enormous talent, the Rangers will win going away. If he doesn't, that makes things a lot more interesting. Either way, Hambino is the X-Factor as I see things. The prediction? Rangers in 6, with Michael Young taking home the MVP trophy.