World Series Game 7 preview
By Matt Snyder

Rangers at Cardinals, 7:05 p.m. CT, Busch Stadium, St. Louis. Series is tied, 3-3.

ST. LOUIS -- While there is rightfully plenty of focus on the Cardinals' Game 7 starter -- we're betting heavily it's Chris Carpenter, even if the Cardinals wouldn't say anything on record -- I've gotten a good chuckle out of the public reaction to Rangers manager Ron Washington naming Matt Harrison the Game 7 starter.

Remember back to before Game 4 of this series. Washington was said by many to be making a mistake in letting Derek Holland start, considering Holland was abysmal in the ALCS. And Holland went out and handcuffed the Cardinals for 8 1/3 innings. So now Washington is being questioned for using Holland in Game 6 in relief and going with Matt Harrison as the Game 7 starter. It's amazing how short-term memories rule the day.

Let us also realize Harrison wasn't that far from having a much better outing in Game 3. He was the victim of bad defense and a botched call in the top of the fourth inning when everything came unraveled. It's entirely possible that if Ron Kulpa made the correct call at first base and the defense was perfect behind him that Harrison comes away with a win.

With a 3.39 regular-season ERA, Harrison is no slouch. Plus, Holland will surely be in relief again -- he did a good job in relief in Game 6 after Alexi Ogando's pathetic effort. It would be foolish to count the Rangers out and it would be incredibly short-sighted to question Washington's decision on a Game 7 starter.

Then again, don't you have to like the Cardinals' chances when simply looking at Carpenter vs. Harrison?

Read the preview.

auxiliary press box view, 3:15 local time

2011 World Series: Allen Craig of the Cardinals makes a leaping catch at the wall on a ball hit by Nelson Cruz of the Rangers in the sixth inning of Game 7. (Getty)