>>Cards Clash With Rangers In World Series

(St. Louis, MO)  --  Unfamiliar foes square off as the St. Louis Cardinals battle the Texas Rangers in the 107th edition of the Fall Classic.  The Cardinals host the Rangers in Game One of the World Series tonight at Busch Stadium.  These teams have not played against one another since the 2004 season.  St. Louis defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in six games to capture its 18th National League pennant, while Texas took out the Detroit Tigers in six games to win its second straight American League crown.  The Redbirds already own a NL-best 10 World Series titles, while the Rangers are seeking their first after falling to the Giants in five games in last year's World Series. 

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says his team isn't just happy to be in the World Series despite a Cinderalla season.

[audio:STLLaRussaWSG1a.mp3]The Cardinals Manager[/audio]

Rangers first baseman Michael Young says it will be an interesting matchup with an unfamiliar foe.

[audio:TEXYoungWSG1a.mp3]The Rangers First Basemen[/audio]

Texas manager Ron Washington feels the same way...

[audio:TEXWashingtonWSG1.mp3]Rangers Skip Ron Washington[/audio]

Despite some initial concerns over a possible elbow injury, Chris Carpenter is slated to start Game One of the series for the Cardinals.  The Rangers will counter with left-hander C.J. Wilson.  The Cardinals have home-field advantage in the best-of-seven set thanks to the National League's win over the American League in this summer's All-Star Game.  St. Louis hosts Game Two on Thursday

The Cardinals will once again go with a 12-man pitching staff as they try to put the finishing touches on a championship run against the Rangers.  The Redbirds relied heavily on their bullpen in dispatching the Brewers in the NLCS, with relievers combining to throw four-and-a-third more innings than the starters over the six games.  The pen worked seven innings in the final game.

>>Ryan Takes Rangers In Six

(St. Louis, MO)  --  It should be no surprise that Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan believes his team will win the World Series.  Major League Baseball's all-time strikeouts leader told a Dallas ESPN Radio affiliate that he's very proud of his team's accomplishment of repeating as American League champs and believes his team will beat the Cardinals in six games to claim its first World Series title.