BOSTON — It seems everywhere the Cardinals look there’s an obstruction.
The NL champs did not arrive in Boston until shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday because of mechanical problems with their charter flight, more than seven hours after it was supposed to land.
Talking on a cell phone while waiting on the runway at Lambert-St.Louis international Airport, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said having the families aboard helped kill the time.
“We are fortunate that our club allows our families to travel with us,’’ Matheny said. “I am impressed with how everybody has handled it.’’
The Cardinals, who won Game 3 Saturday night thanks to an obstruction call that allowed the winning run to score, had not planned to work out Tuesday at Fenway Park. The Red Sox, who traveled home following their victory in Game 5 Monday night and worked out Tuesday, can win the best-of-seven series with a victory Wednesday night.
The Cardinals boarded their flight around 1 p.m. CDT. But those mechanical issues kept the plane on the runway as day turned into night. The team switched planes and took off around 8 p.m. Central for a flight that usually takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.
“Oh wow, that’s crazy,” said Boston slugger David Ortiz while the Cardinals were still waiting to take off. “Everything happens for a reason. Me, normally, when I have a delay on a flight, I don’t get mad because you don’t play around with that. Hopefully they get here safe.’’
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Red Sox manager John Farrell made it as simple as he could when asked if he hoped Fenway Park’s atmosphere would rattle Michael Wacha in Game 6.
“He has had the postseason he’s had because he’s an extremely talented guy,’’ Farrell said of the 22-year-old who is 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in four postseason games. “We know he is going to come at us. We have some familiarity. Obviously, Game 2 was a set of experiences that we can draw from. We fully expect him to be as equal to the way he was in Game 2. He is a heck of a pitcher.’’
Wacha went six innings, allowing two runs and three hits in a Game 2 victory.
Wacha didn’t seem rattled by Fenway that night, but this is a clinch situation for the Red Sox with the local denizens looking forward to a monster party.
“I imagine it will be crazy, but I am not going to pay any attention to it,’’ Wacha said. “I’ll keep going about my business the way I have been in all my starts this year. Not worry about the crowd and just get locked in.’’
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Shane Victorino missed Games 4 and 5 with lower back problems but will return to right field for Game 6.
“We fully expect him to be a go [Wednesday],’’ Farrell said of Victorino, who is hitless in 10 World Series at-bats.
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The Red Sox get Mike Napoli back at first base with the designated hitter in play. Ortiz started all three games in St. Louis where the DH wasn’t used.
“With Napoli at first it gives us additional range,’’ Farrell said of Napoli, who is 1-for-8 in the Series. “But getting one of our middle of the order bats back, we are hopeful that it really has a chance to extend the lineup.’’
Farrell said Jonny Gomes will play left and David Ross will catch.
The manager could have gone with switch-hitter Daniel Nava in left and Jarrod Saltalamacchia , another switch hitter, behind the plate.
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The Cardinals likely will have Allen Craig as the DH. Craig, who missed considerable time with an ankle injury, played first base in Game 5.
“I had a quick conversation with him. He said he felt good,’’ Matheny said. “That was a great response and what we wanted to hear.’’
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With secondary ticket prices climbing by the hour for Game 6, Farrell was asked what he thought of the interest.
“There is a lot of people with a lot of money willing to spend,’’ Farrell said. “From a historic perspective, when you consider that an event like this hasn’t been here in a couple of generations. There are a lot of people that are willing to take some extra cash and try to be part of it.’’
The Red Sox haven’t clinched a World Series at home since 1918. As of Tuesday, standing room tickets were going for $1,000.