World Series Game 2 Preview

Let's think about something other than football for a little bit here.

Detroit, who just about every major national pundit predicted an easy World Series win for, is playing an absolute must-win game tonight. Yes, people throw that term around way too much (especially when talking about the NFL), but I'm serious. The Tigers simply cannot afford to lose the first two games at home with Chris Carpenter and the on-fire Jeff Suppan waiting for them in St. Louis. They will not bounce back from a loss tonight (OK, the might, but it really doesn't seem likely, does it?). The pitching matchup seems to favor them with Kenny Rogers being the best pitcher to take the mound for anyone this postseason (Suppan included) and Jeff Weaver toeing the rubber for the Cards. Still, I think weather is going to be a factor in this one. It's under 40 degrees in Detroit tonight. It may even be snowing before this one finishes. That could be a huge disadvantage for Detroit with Rogers being 41 years old. The colder it is tonight, the harder it will be for the pitchers to warm up, and I'd have to guess that the (much) older Rogers will be more affected by it than Weaver. Still, it'd be stupid to bet against Rogers after his performances against the Yankees and A's. He has to be who Detroit wants on the mound in a game like this one. It's also foolish to dismiss Weaver, though. He's been very good this postseason and has looked a lot more like the promising Weaver he was in Detroit rather than the crappy Weaver that the Yankees, Dodgers, and Angels got to know. Should be a good one tonight, hopefully closer than last night's game.