I realize hindsight is 20-20, blah blah blah, but would you have pitched to Pujols in the 9th inning Monday night? He may have been struggling during the series, but why risk giving him a fat pitch where he had the chance to win the game with one swing ... and swing he did! Too dangerous to mess with.

You walk him, either intentionally or just 4 straight outside sinkers, and take your chances with Sanders. The big mistake was letting Edmonds walk. Even "elite" closers like Lidge will feel the heat of the moment and screw up. Edmonds would have only tied the game with a homer.