Earlier today, I wrote that the Cardinals lineup didn't have any surprises. This is because I forgot about Lance Berkman. It's easy to do -- just ask the Yankees last year. But against a lefty, Tony La Russa sat the National League Used To Be Good But Was Bad Now Is Good Again Award winner, putting Allen Craig in the lineup instead.
In the third inning, Craig hit a solo shot to the opposite field. This is partly because Craig is good, partly because Randy Wolf is going to get hurt if hitters start looking opposite field, and partly because the ball is absolutely jumping out to right.
Oh, forgot about the main factor, which is Tony La Russa's geniusness in getting him in the lineup in the first place. All snark aside, it was kind of inspired, and it paid off early.
Now Kyle Lohse has a two-run lead with which to work, though if there's anything these two teams have taught us this series, it's that they can score a lot of runs. Quickly.