Updated

Kyle Lohse's stuff never seems all that impressive, at least on television. The Cardinals starter had a very solid season though, going 14-8 with a 3.39 ERA.

Lohse is throwing strikes early in this one, flashing an effective changeup and keeping the ball down. Texas put two runners on in the second, but Lohse got out of it.

That left the Rangers 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position during the Series.

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First double play of the night — and it's no surprise. Texas starter Matt Harrison had a penchant for inducing DPs this season and the Cardinals hit into an NL-record 169 of them.

Moments after Ryan Theriot reached on an error by Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, Harrison got Rafael Furcal to ground into a double play that was started by Kinsler.

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Good sound on Fox broadcast picks up Kinsler telling the first base umpire that he thinks Lohse balked on a move to first.

Lohse is nearly impossible to run on. Only three players tried to steal against him this season. Nyjer Morgan and Rickie Weeks were thrown out by catcher Yadier Molina. The lone player to make it was Eric Fryer — a rookie catcher for Pittsburgh. Fryer swiped second with backup Gerald Laird catching.

You can understand Kinsler's point. Lohse appears to break his front knee first, moving it slightly toward the plate before whirling and throwing to first on his pickoff move. Probably borderline at best. No wonder he's so tough to run on.

Cardinals lead 1-0 after three innings.

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Dirk Nowitzki from the stretch for the ceremonial first pitch. He's all arms and legs, even in that No. 41 Texas Rangers jersey.

Pitch appeared low, dug out by Michael Young.

We're under way in Game 3 — with a bang.

Allen Craig, the second batter of the night, homered to left field off Harrison to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. What a World Series already for Craig, who is really making a national name for himself.

He came through as a pinch-hitter twice in St. Louis, putting the Cardinals ahead with a clutch single in each game. Craig got the start in right field tonight, with Lance Berkman serving as the DH in the American League ballpark.

It didn't take long for Craig to show off his power. He is really a good-looking hitter, and now 3 for 3 with three RBIs in the Series.

The Cardinals have scored first in 10 consecutive postseason games, one short of the big league record set by Detroit from 1972-84.

Lohse struck out his first two batters in a 1-2-3 first inning.

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Maybe the bats will break loose in Texas.

After a couple of low-scoring games, the World Series shifts to Rangers Ballpark tonight for Game 3. Temperatures are expected in the 70s, much warmer than the first two games in St. Louis. But there's a possibility of an isolated shower or thunderstorm.

Just about everyone anticipated a few slugfests in this Series. Most of the big sluggers, however, were held in check during the first two games: Albert Pujols (0 for 6), Josh Hamilton (0 for 7), Matt Holliday (1 for 6), Nelson Cruz (1 for 6).

With the designated hitter in effect under AL rules, each manager made a change to his lineup. Ryan Theriot is starting at second base for St. Louis instead of Nick Punto. Berkman is the DH, as expected, with Craig in right field. Craig is batting second, with Jon Jay dropped to eighth.

Yorvit Torrealba is behind the plate for the Rangers, batting ninth. Mike Napoli moves to first base and Michael Young is the DH. Hamilton is in center field and David Murphy in left.