While riding to the Stros-Cardinals Game 3 of the National League Championship Series today, one of my sons asked whether I thought that Stros manager Phil Garner would play red-hot Chris Burke, who has continued to hit well after his walk-off yak last week to win the National League Division Series over the Braves.

“No,” I said. “He’ll probably play Lamb at first base today because he hits (St. Louis pitcher Matt) Morris well. That means Berkman moves to left field and Burke sits. What Garner should do is put Burke in centerfield and bench Taveras, who is a marginal player. But he will never do that because everyone thinks Taveras is good, which he is not.”

So, what does Phil Garner do? He starts Burke in centerfield in place of Taveras.
Stros win a 4-3 nailbiter to take a 2-1 lead in the National League Championship Series against the Cards.