World Series Game 4: Red Sox vs Cardinals, 8:00 PM

Red Sox vs Cardinals

Sunday, 8:00 PM ET • Busch Stadium

What a stunning way to lose Game Three of the World Series last night, as the Boston Red Sox fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 after a bizarre final play that culminated in an obstruction call on third baseman Will Middlebrooks.

Despite the shocking finish and all the futile arguing by the Red Sox, the bottom line was that the umpires got it right.

“It’s an absolute crying shame that a call like this is going to decide a World Series game,” emotional pitcher Jake Peavy said. “It’s a joke. There’s no other way to say it. It’s a joke.”

Added manager John Farrell, “That’s a tough pill to swallow. Tough way to have a game end, particularly of this significance.”

Now trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, Boston needs to win Game 4 to avoid being pushed to the brink of elimination.

The Cardinals in the meantime are flying high, but their leader Carlos Beltran warns his team not to get too cocky. “Of course we’ll come in a little excited and ready to go out there,” Beltran said. “But at the same time, the Red Sox want to come out with the same mentality.”

“I don’t think it’s hard for teams like Boston and teams like us to bounce back. Like the first game of the series, we played horrible and we bounced back the second game. They’re pretty good at turning the page and moving on.”

Clay Buchholz will start tonight’s game for the Red Sox although he is not expected to pitch deep into the game. The righthander has been battling arm injuries and has a 5.40 ERA in three starts this postseason. Manager John Farrell said that Buchholz will not pitch deep into the game.

On the mound for the Cardinals will be Lance Lynn. The 26-year old will be making his fifth start this postseason and is coming off a solid start in the NL Championship Series, holding the Dodgers to two runs in 7 1/3 innings. He’ll be pitching on eleven days rest.