[jg2977]

Mike Francesa:
“Alright, now we got ourselves a series. This is exactly what I was talkin’ about. The Cardinals go on the road, hostile building, down two games to none… and they win 8–4. That’s how you respond.”
Mad Dog Russo (very conflicted Giants fan energy):
“Mike, I hate this. I HATE this. Because the Giants had a chance to put their foot on their neck, and instead they let St. Louis right back in the door. You go up 2–0, you’re at home, and you give up eight runs? Come on!”
Mike Francesa:
“This is playoff baseball. You’re not gonna sweep everybody. St. Louis needed this game, and they got it with their best player stepping up. Mike Jankowski was sensational. Two homers, five RBIs, four hits — that’s a star performance.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Oh he killed ‘em, Mike. He absolutely killed ‘em. Every time the Giants crawled back, Jankowski said, ‘Nope, not tonight.’ That three-run shot in the seventh? That was the knockout punch.”
Mike Francesa:
“And Weitzel gave them what they needed. Seven innings, four runs, kept them in control. Not dominant, but steady. In a spot like that, steady wins.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Steady? I’ll tell you what wasn’t steady — Bachus! He was hittable all afternoon! Twelve hits in six innings! You can’t do that against a team fighting for its season!”
Mike Francesa:
“Fair. But let’s also say this: the Giants didn’t cash in. Valenzuela goes 0-for, Campbell gives you nothing at the top, and you only score four runs at home. That’s not enough.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“And that’s the scary part, Mike. This Giants lineup has been carrying them, and tonight it stalled. Perdomo homers, Fuentes hits, but where’s the big inning? Where’s the avalanche? It never came.”
Mike Francesa:
“Which is why this series is now interesting. It’s 2–1, Cardinals have life, and they’ve got momentum. Tomorrow’s game? Massive. Absolutely massive.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“If St. Louis wins Game 4, Mike, then this whole thing flips. All of a sudden, the Giants are the ones feelin’ the pressure.”
Mike Francesa:
“Exactly. That’s why you don’t overreact after two games — and that’s why you don’t relax when you’re up two games to none.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Ugh… I don’t like this at all. I wanted a walkover. Now it’s a fight.”
Mike Francesa:
“Well, you got your fight. And that’s October baseball.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Yeah… and it’s just gettin’ started.”