ST. LOUIS — Carlos Beltran was already a hero in his own clubhouse, but his performance in Game 2 of the World Series, with bruised ribs, only elevated his status among Cardinals teammates.
“He’s a stud,” pitcher Adam Wainwright said. “He’s a big-time player and just responds well in big moments.”
Beltran went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the Cardinals’ 4-2 victory over the Red Sox on Thursday, a night after leaving the game with bruised ribs he sustained while crashing into the right-field fence at Fenway Park to rob David Ortiz of a grand slam.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Beltran looked “normal” to him and he would expect his right fielder to remain in the lineup.
“I wasn’t surprised he was in there,” shortstop Pete Kozma said. “This is his first World Series and it will probably take a lot more to get him out of there.”
Catcher Yadier Molina called Beltran’s performance “amazing” given his injury.
“Having a guy like Carlos is a huge difference, because of the experience,” Molina said. “He knows about the pitcher, he helps us to win.”
The two managers are split on whether the designated hitter belongs in the World Series.
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“Having always been in the American League, I favor it,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “Obviously it would take the traditional approach toward the National League style game out of it.”
But Matheny would rather see the pitchers bat.
“Just the thought process that goes into it,” Matheny said. “We enjoy the pitcher getting in there and then the thought philosophy of trying to work around that and what that means to your pitching staff, what that means to your lineup.”
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With the DH not in play at Busch Stadium, Farrell plans to use David Ortiz at first base Saturday night, putting Mike Napoli on the bench. Matheny indicated he’s leaning toward sticking with Matt Adams at first base and putting Allen Craig on the bench. Craig was the DH in the first two games of the series after missing six weeks with ankle problems.
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Though Stephen Drew is 4-for-42 (.095) in the postseason, Farrell isn’t inclined to make a change at shortstop.
“He has played such a strong defensive position at shortstop,” Farrell said. “[Thursday] there are probably three or four plays that he makes that might otherwise build into a potential inning for the Cardinals. He’s such a steadying force for us on defense up the middle and on the infield in general.”
Wainwright said the Cardinals’ victory on Thursday ensured he won’t be asked to pitch on short rest in Game 4. The Cardinals ace is the scheduled pitcher for Monday’s Game 5 at Busch Stadium.