2011 World Series Prediction: Lowest Rated Series Ever?

We knew Fox couldn't have been pleased as soon as the first round concluded, and alas, here we are with a Fall Classic featuring the markets of Dallas and St. Louis.

Hmmm ...

They were pondering this thought on the radio today, and I have a hard time believing this year's World Series will hit a new record low. All it really has to do is go more than five games, and I'm sure it will avoid that dubious honor. It might not miss it by much, but I don't think it will set any new records. Albert Pujols will draw some casual viewers. And what will it be up against, anyhow?

Did basketball start? Do I have another preview to do? No, of course not. Whatever anyone else might say, I think this postseason's been better than usual. I can only hope the last series ends the playoffs with a bang.

Believe it or not, once again one brave person did in fact pick the Cardinals. There were a few scattered Tigers predictions too, so only ESPN's Jerry Crasnick went 2-0, three others went 0-3 and the rest of the field broke even last round:

1. (1) Tim Brown, Yahoo!: 5-1 (3)

2. (2) Eric Karabell, ESPN: 4-2 (3)

2. (2) Jayson Stark, ESPN: 4-2 (3)

4. (10) Jerry Crasnick, ESPN: 4-2 (1)
4. (6) YOURS TRULY: 4-2 (1)
6. (2) Christina Kahrl, ESPN: 3-3 (2)

7. (8) Jim Bowden, ESPN: 3-3 (1)
7. (5) Jim Caple, ESPN: 3-3 (1)
7. (8) Steve Henson, Yahoo!: 3-3 (1)
7. (10) Jeff Passan, Yahoo!: 3-3 (1)
11. (7) David Schoenfield, ESPN: 2-4 (2)

12. (13) Kevin Kaduk, Yahoo!: 2-4 (1)
13. (12) Howard Bryant, ESPN: 1-3 (1)

I figure it goes without saying that a few new faces joined the fun over at ESPN last round, but I didn't bother recording the votes of late arrivals.


As for this last pick:

Texas Rangers over St. Louis Cardinals in six games

I have underestimated the Cards throughout these playoffs, and will continue to do so right to the very end because if they're reminiscent of those remarkable 2007 Colorado Rockies, then it's important to remember those Rockies ended up getting swept in the Series. I'm tempted to dismiss St. Louis with equal length of stay, but then felt more sure they'd win at least one of the first two at home. After that, I'm guessing the Texas bats outslug the ones from the Redbirds in more than a couple high-scoring games. In the end though, the Rangers strike me as being the younger and hungrier team, faster on the bases and probably more capable of forcing or even stealing runs. The fact that the Cardinals even got this far makes the whole Braves collapse go down a little bit easier, but at this point, I expect St. Louis to run out of gas.