The St. Louis Cardinals make the trip to Boston as they get ready to face the Red Sox in Game 1 of the 2013 World Series. What time is Game 1? When is Game 1? We got you covered with all the info as the Red Sox and Cardinals meet for the second time at the Fall Classic since 2004.
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23
We are just about 24 hours from game time as both clubs hook up for a chance to win their third World Championship in the last 10 years. The Red Sox claimed championships in 2004 and 2007. The Cardinals won in 2006 and recently played in a memorable series against the Texas Rangers in 2011 where they eventually won behind the miraculous performance from David Freese.
Carlos Beltran will surely want to go out with a bang. Not that he is retiring, but this is his first World Series appearance in his 16 years as a professional. Playing with the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants do not get him to the show, though, he came very close in 2006 with the Mets. After the Giants let Beltran walk, they wound up winning the championship.
Jake Peavy is trying to also win his first championship as the veteran pitcher looks to make the best of his trade to the Red Sox. His mission was to get them in the playoffs and he has struggled to help them win in October. Like Beltran, Peavy has had poor luck with his teams once they made the playoffs. He was the San Diego Padres' ace, but they quickly became a poor club. By the time he was a Chicago White Sox, the team started declining as well. This is also his first trip to the Fall Classic, despite playing 12 years in the majors.
Both teams have experienced players, though the Cardinals have younger guys in their pitching rotation. Michael Wacha is a rookie and Joe Kelly is only pitching his second season in the majors. The Red Sox have youth at third base now that they appear to like Xander Bogaerts enough to start him at third base. Aside from these guys, the rest of the team is pretty seasoned.
David Ortiz is a 17-year veteran, John Lackey and Jonny Gomes have 11 years playing in the majors while Shane Victorino, Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina both have 10 years. The only guy in that list without a ring is Gomes, but he has plenty of appearances in the postseason, though this is his first World Series.
This is trouble for the N.L. The Cardinals have young pitchers that are already getting playoff experience. Remember Adam Wainwright in 2006? He dropped the hammer on Beltran and the Mets with the bases loaded to win that dramatic extra inning game and the NL Pennant. He was only 24 and he pitched 9.2 scoreless innings of baseball while recording 16 strikeouts. The Cardinals have always been great with their pitching staff and Kelly and Wacha are no exception.
Do not miss Game 1 of the 2013 World Series as the St. Louis Cardinals face the Boston Red Sox in the Fall Classic.