Rangers vs. Cardinals Position by Position

[Ranger Addict]

Starting Pitching:

Rangers:

LHP C.J. Wilson, the ace of the rotation, posted a 2.94 ERA this season. He went 16 and 7 in 34 games with just one complete game shut out. With how good he was during the season though he hasn't pitched well in the post season. In 3 games he has only pitched 15 and two thirds innings posting a 8.04 ERA. He has also given up 6 home runs and has no wins this post season.

RHP Colby Lewis went 14 and 10 posting a 4.40 ERA in 32 starts. He gave up 35 home runs this season which was the most of any other pitcher. However, he has pitched better in the post season. In two starts he has a 3.86 ERA with a win and a loss. He has also given up 3 home runs which was most of the runs he allowed.

LHP Derek Holland, in 32 starts, had a 3.95 ERA with 16 wins and 5 losses. He was a streaky pitcher, pitching better than the best at times and worse than the worst at others. The 25 year old with the creepy mustache led the majors for part of the season with 4 complete game shut outs showing his great potential but during the post season he hasn't done very well posting a 5.27 ERA in 3 starts. He just hasn't seemed his normal self. He seems to be letting the high pressure get to him. The one thing he has going for him is his run production. Normally you would think a pitcher doesn't have anything to do with run production but for some reason the Rangers scored, on average, 7 runs a game for him. That is the most in the majors and hasn't slowed in the playoffs.

LHP Matt Harrison was fairly consistent this year. After not making the post season roster last year he came out strong wanting to prove to himself and the Rangers that he could be trusted as a starter. He posted a 3.39 ERA in 31 starts while going 14 and 9. he also produced the second most double plays for the Rangers, a team that led the majors in turning double plays.

Cardinals:

RHP Chris Carpenter was 11 and 9 with a 3.45 ERA. He has turned it way up in the postseason throwing a complete game shut out to the Phillies. He has posted a 3.71 ERA in 3 games and has looked like a true ace.

LHP Jaime Garcia posted a 3.56 ERA in 32 starts. He got 13 wins and 7 losses. In the post season he has a 5.74 ERA in 3 starts with two losses and no wins.

RHP Edwin Jackson had a 3.79 ERA in 31 starts with 12 wins and 9 losses. Then in the playoffs he has a 5.84 ERA in 3 starts with just 1 win.

RHP Kyle Lohse had a 3.39 ERA in 30 starts with 14 wins and 8 losses. In the post season he has just 2 starts posting a 7.45 ERA.

Conclusion:

The Rangers had a solid pitching staff over the season but that seems to have fallen apart during the post season. The Cardinals, however, have stayed about average with their starting giving them an edge. The starting pitching advantage has to go to the Cardinals.

Relief Pitching:

Rangers:

The Rangers bullpen had a pretty good year but had some problems at the beginning of the season. With the trades for Mike Adams and Mike Gonzales they got pretty good though. Now, in the postseason, they have posted a 2.34 ERA in 42 and 1/3 innings. Alexi Ogando has pitched REALLY well giving up just one run which was a home run. Their only weak spot has been Koji Uihara but thankfully he has been taken off the roster for the world series to be replaced by Mark Lowe.

Cardinals:

The Bullpen for the Cardinals, from what I heave heard, didn't have a great season. However, they have REALLY turned it up in the post season. Posting a 2.55 ERA in 42 1/3 innings.

Conclusion:

Both of these bullpens have really turned it on this post season. They have very close stats but the Rangers postseason ERA is a few points lower giving them the edge.

Catcher:

Rangers:

The Rangers have Mike Napoli to do most of their catching. During the season he hit .320 with 30 homers. The knock on him when he played for the Angels was that he wasn't the best at defense but this year he has really excelled behind the plate. In the post season he is hitting .316 with 1 homer and 5 RBI. The big thing for him has been coming through in key situations when the Rangers need a big hit.

Cardinals:

Yadier Molina is, arguably, the best of the three Molina brothers. During the season he hit .305 with 14 homers and 65 RBI but his real skill is behind the plate. His defense will make the Rangers speedy runners think twice about trying to steal a base.

Conclusion:

This is hard. Mike Napoli, at the end of the season,w as the leagues hottest hitter. He has kept his hitting up and hit better than Molina this post season. However, as good as Napoli has been behind the plate Molina is still better. With each of them having a bit of an edge in one category no one really has an edge.

1st Base:

Rangers:

Most of the games will be started by the Rangers normal DH, team face, and 2011 MVP Michael Young. Young had one of his best seasons this year. He hit .338, second in the league, with 106 RBI and his 7th 200 hit season. First base isn't his best position but he has played there a lot of the year and as an all star at the other three infield positions he can play some good defense.

Cardinals:

You don't even have to put down the stats to know that Albert Pujols is the best player in the game. He will hit for power or average and play some good defense. He will also come through when the team needs a hit.

Conclusion:

Even though the Rangers have their MVP and team face at first base he doesn't come anywhere close to the Cardinal's Albert Pujols who has the definite edge.

Second Base:

Rangers:

Ian Kinsler didn't have his highest batting season hitting just .255 but his on base percentage was just were you want it for a leadoff hitter. He can start the game with a home run or pull a double down the line. Not only is he a great hitter he is either the best or second best fielding second baseman in the AL.

Cardinals:

((I am going to take a while on this :P))