Wow.  After splitting the two games in Boston, the Cardinals and Red Sox returned to St. Louis for Game 3, which ended on a bizarre obstruction ruling by third base umpire, Jim Joyce, which allowed Allen Craig to score the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth.  I’m sure that call will come under much scrutiny in the next few days, but it’s time to look ahead to a critical Game 4 scheduled for Sunday night in St. Louis. 

With the Cardinals leading the series two games to one, the Red Sox would love to even it up in Game 4.  They have a great opportunity to do so, as the send Clay Buchholz to the mound to square off against Lance Lynn.  Although Buchholz is sporting a 5.40 earned run average through three starts this postseason, I think he’ll be fired up after the controversial loss on Saturday and bring his ‘A’ game.  Oddly enough, Lynn is also carrying a 5.40 earned run average into this game.  In his two postseason starts this year, he’s averaging only 4.2 innings per outing, so look for the Sox to try and jump on Lynn early in this game. 

With the game being played in a National League park, Red Sox slugged David Ortiz will likely be in the lineup again at first base.  In six games in the field this year, he hasn’t committed an error, but his lack of mobility could certainly become an issue if the situation arises.  Manager John Farrell really doesn’t have a choice, as Ortiz has slugged five home runs and driven in 12 runs so far this postseason.

Something to look for as we get closer to game time is the status of Allen Craig.  Craig, who scored the game winning run for the Cardinals in Game 3, may have reinjured his recently healed left foot after an awkward slide into home.  Obviously the Cardinals have proven they can win without him, but having him in the lineup takes the Cardinals’ offensive prowess to a different level. 

Both teams will be on emotional highs for Game 4, but for very different reasons.  The Red Sox most certainly feel like they were robbed of the chance to continue to compete for a win in extra-innings after Jim Joyce’s obstruction call that ended the game abruptly.  That feeling of depravity will definitely give way to an inspired effort in an attempt to even the series at two games each.  Meanwhile, the Cardinals can almost taste another World Series title.  If they win Game 4, they’ll have an opportunity to close out the series at home in front of their loyal fans.  They might also draw some extra motivation if Allen Craig has indeed re-injured his left foot. 

Regardless of the outcome, we can be certain that emotions will be running high and tempers could potentially flare, especially between the Red Sox and the umpiring crew.  At the end of the night, I think Boston will have evened up the series at two.  Buchholz will outduel Lance Lynn, and I think Ortiz or Dustin Pedroia will come up with the big hit.  It has been an incredibly entertaining World Series so far, and I wouldn’t expect anything to change with Game 4.