World Series 2013: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox Game 2 preview

Oct 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Recording artist Mary J. Blige sings the National Anthem prior to game one of the MLB baseball World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Who: St. Louis Cardinals at Boston Red Sox

Where: Fenway Park, Boston

When: 8:07 PM, ET – FOX

Series record: 1-0, Boston

With 19-game winner Adam Wainwright on the mound for Game 1 of the 2013 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals had to be feeling pretty confident. That’s not to say the Boston Red Sox should have felt any less confident in their starter, Jon Lester, as both Wainwright and Lester have dominated through the 2013 postseason.

It was a trend that would continue for Lester in Game 1, but not so much for Wainwright who was tagged for five runs in five innings of work, though in fairness, only three of them were earned. Things could have been far worse for Wainwright had it not been for outfielder Carlos Beltran, who robbed a grand slam from David Ortiz, though unfortunately for Beltran he had to leave the game after the catch as he suffered a rib injury from crashing into the outfield wall. His status for Game 2 will be determined after the team has more tests performed on Thursday morning.

As for the Game 2 starters, taking the hill for the visiting St. Louis Cardinals will be rookie Michael Wacha. The young arm comes into the World Series on a near historic run, giving up just one run in 21 postseason innings. He’ll need to continue that success for the Cardinals as they’ll face Red Sox starter John Lackey, who while not as dominant as Wacha through the postseason has been pretty solid himself. A rough postseason debut knocked Lackey out of his start against the Tampa Bay Rays, but 6.2 innings of shutout ball against the Detroit Tigers lowered his ERA to a respectable 3.00.

Neither Wacha or Lackey have faced the opposition this year nor has Wacha ever started a game at Fenway Park, so there will certainly be a sense of unfamiliarity, both for Wacha and the Boston hitters.

Depending on the status of Carlos Beltran, the Cardinals may be forced to make a roster move prior to the game, though initial tests suggest he didn’t break any bones and it may just be a matter of pain tolerance. Allen Craig, who made his return after a month long absence, is expected to play in Game 2 and remain in his designated hitter role.

Boston meanwhile, is expected to roll out a similar lineup as they produced in their Game 1 victory.

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