Game 5 of the World Series is tonight and the game will be televised nationally on FOX. The betting odds for Game 5 of the World Series have the Texas Rangers favored at -122 (must risk $122.00 to win $100.00) and the St. Louis Cardinals +112 ($100.00 wager would pay back $212.00) with the total set at 8 (over -115). The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers have battled in this Fall Classic as each team has won a game on the road. It's been one of the more entertaining World Series' in the past as each team is playing well. Game 5 will have the first pitch will be thrown at 8:05 p.m. The Rangers come into the Fall Classic as the first team since the Yankees in the early 2000s. With a win tonight they can put immense pressure back on the Cardinals, who would have to win the final two games in order to by crowned World Series Champions.
Free Analysis: No matter who wins Game 5, the World Series will return to Busch Stadium for Game 6 on Wednesday night. In fact, this is just the second World Series in the last eight years that will go at least six games. The last time was in 2009 as the Yankees beat the Phillies in six games. The Rangers will be giving the ball to C.J. Wilson in what looms to be the biggest game of his life. However, he has really struggled this post season. He's 0-5 with a 6.18 ERA in seven playoff starts since winning his last post season game, including 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA in four this year. That last win for Wilson came in Game 2 of the ALDS in 2010. Hard to believe with all the talk about him being ace material and probably garnering a massive contract in the offseason. It will be a pitching rematch of Game 1 where Wilson surrendered all three runs and walked six. Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals starter for tonight's game, is a dominant post season pitcher. Carpenter is a monster in the postseason, going 8-2 with a 3.10 ERA in 13 career outings. Even more impressive? St. Louis has won all four of his starts during this post season. He allowed just two earned runs over six innings in the opening game as St. Louis took the 1-0 lead. As important as that win was for the Series, tonight's game is far more important. If the Cardinals are able to bash Wilson around enough and Carpenter is lights out, this Series could be over on Wednesday. The Texas power bats really haven't gotten going so far in this Fall Classic, averaging just under 4 runs per game, which includes a 7-run Game 3. St. Louis might not need too many runs early to win this game. If Carpenter is allowed to give that St. Louis bullpen a bit of a rest and throw 7 or 8 innings, St. Louis has a legitimate shot tonight.
Free Pick: I know it's going to be hard for Albert Pujols to replicate what he did in Game 3, but even being partially close to that will help tonight. He's absolutely killing the baseball this post season, hitting .390 so far. The Cardinals need a quality game from slugger Matt Holliday. The outfielder has struggled, going just 2 for 15 in this series after hitting .375 in St. Louis' previous 10 postseason contests. Gotta get him going. Texas was an awesome team at home this season and has equaled that in the playoffs. This could be their last game at home for the 2011 season, so I will be anticipating a pretty hefty amount of swings. However, Carpenter will be able to contain hitters much like he did in Game 1 and the Cardinals will score just enough tonight to win. We're getting them at a decent number of +112 with arguably the best playoff starter in the last 25 years. We'll take that.