Last night the Cardinals beat a Mets team that just couldn’t take advantage of situations. The game itself was pretty exciting. The Mets blew a shot in the 6th with bases juiced. The Cardinals finally broke a 1-1 tie to go up 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th. The Mets got the first two runners on in the 9th. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why the Mets didn’t sacrifice to get the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out.

In the end, it probably didn’t matter much. The Mets loaded the bases and went out with a whimper. They can now rest for a few months until the next season. The St. Louis Cardinals are going to the World Series again. The last time they were there, it wasn’t pretty.

They will be facing a hot Detroit Tigers team that’s fully rested now—thanks to their quick sweep of the Oakland A’s. The Tigers are sending Verlander to the mound for game one. The Cardinals, who have been struggling to score of late, will have their hands full.

Most everyone—save Cardinals fans and hardcore NL lovers—believe the Tigers will win the World Series and that the Cardinals being there is just a mere formality. I’m included in that group. While I kind of expect the Tigers to sweep, I’m willing to concede one game to the Cardinals. Detroit should win in no more than 5 games.

Either way you slice it, the Detroit Tigers will be World Series Champions this season. After plowing through the mighty empire that is the Yankees and sweeping a good pitching team that is the A’s, the Tigers get the runt of the playoff litter in the Cardinals. Put up the plastic and get out the Champagne boys, it’s celebration time in Detroit.