I’ve enjoyed football all day long (as much as a Colts fan could) and tonight’s matchup between the Vikings and Bears is very unappealing to me. So, with that said, I can’t wait to take in the NLCS Game 6 between the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. For the Brewers, its win or go home, while the Cardinals look to join the Rangers in the Fall Classic.
8:00- Coming at you live from room 309 of the Sigma Chi Fraternity house, I’m joined by a fridge full of Arnold Palmer’s and endless snacks I’ve accumulated from the McNutt C-store after I failed to use all of my meal points last year. It’s a great viewing environment…when you close the door (I’m joined on the 3rd floor with numerous Bears fans, who are currently on NBC’s Sunday Night Football).
8:05- First pitch delivered for a strike and game 6 of the NLCS is underway. I’ve watched a total of one complete MLB game this season, so watching this game will be a bit like running a marathon without training.
8:08- John Jay singles to left field with Pujols on deck. Probably not what Milwaukee was hoping for. Pujols is on fire this postseason.
8:16- Lance Berkman with a shot to center and the Cardinals take the lead with only one out in the first inning. Meanwhile, all of the air leaves the building in Milwaukee.
8:18- David Freese with a deep 3 run homerun. Cardinals up 4-0 already, eerily similar to the last game.
8:22- Tuned into NBC’s Sunday Night Football just in time to see Faith Hill’s opening song. Sorry, I had to.
8:26- Now the Brewers are on the board. Corey Hart with a lead off homerun. 4-1 Cardinals.
8:28- Nyjer Morgan, aka Tony Plush, aka Tony Gumbo up to the plate. He’s looking to “just tickle it into the outfield.†Major League Baseball needs more personalities like Morgan’s.
8:40- Just when I thought Brewers’ starting Marcum was beginning to settle down, Rafael Furcal with a shot over the outfield wall. Monster shot for a little guy like Furcal. Cardinals up 5-1 in the top of the 2nd inning.
8:46- Rickie Weeks joins the homerun party. Bernie the Brewer is having a great night so far, making his second trip down the slide.
8:55- Jonathan Lucroy homers for the Brew Crew to make it 5-4 St. Louis. That 5 homers combined in the first 2 innings. I am officially glad that I made the choice to watch this game.
9:02- I just realized Craig Sager is doing the “sideline†reporting for this game. Can’t wait to see what his suit looks like, and I wonder if Kevin Garnett approves?
9:07- Another homer! And guess who? Albert Pujols, “The Machineâ€. “Why didn’t you eliminate them, Albert?â€
9:17- Very nice sacrifice fly by Nick Punto to score Matt Holiday. Cardinals up 7-4.
9:21- Sager makes his first appearance of the game. I’m very disappointed with his conservative attire. Still, I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.
9:32- Lots of screaming down the hallway, apparently the Chicago Bears scored.
9:45- So. Tempted. To. Change. Channel. To. Football. In all actuality, this is a great baseball game. Brewers continue to hit and are now trailing 9-5 in the bottom of the 4th inning.
10:14- I might as well be watching a football game with all this scoring. 11-5 Cardinals.
10:22- Pujols dives to tag out Ryan Braun at 1st base and is slow to get up while holding his wrist. Cardinals nation is currently holding its breath.
10:52- I’m utilizing the 7th inning stretch to actually stretch. I advise the announcers to as well. You know it’s a high scoring game when they don’t even get excited about a double.
11:15- Pujols continues to absolutely rake, with another RBI to make the score 12-6.
11:20- Great gesture by Pujols as Prince Fielder comes to the plate, in which it could be his last at bat in a Brewer uniform. The fans really gave Fielder a good cheer, then Pujols called time before the first pitch was delivered to him, just so the fans could cheer longer. What a class act.
11:49- The St. Louis Cardinals have won their 18th National League Pennant. You’ve got to hand it to them. With a month to play they were ten games back. They put up a great fight to get where they are.
Final Thoughts: You’ve got to feel for the Brewers. They had one of their best years in their history and they fall just short of their goal. Also, one has to wonder if we’ve seen the last of Prince Fielder in a Brewers uniform. All said and done, baseball fans have to be happy with the matchup that this World Series offers.
