Carlos Beltran is one of the best postseason hitters around, and the St. Louis Cardinals lost him for Game Three.  The outfielder had to leave the game in the second inning because of a left knee strain.  He suffered the injury while trying to beat out a ground ball in the first inning.

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Beltran is listed as day-to-day and the team will know more tomorrow.  Goold also pointed out that Beltran had been battling a left hand injury and had the hand in ice after Game One.



Beltran's replacement in Game Three was Matt Carpenter.  All he did was hit a home run in the game.  The Cardinals do not want to be without Beltran for any extended period of time, but Carpenter's performance was a pleasant surprise.  Beltran, though, has been extraordinary in the playoff throughout his career.

In 30 postseason games, Beltran is hitting .378/.479/.838 with 14 home runs.  And some of those home runs have become the stuff of legend.  Even if we discount his playoff success, Beltran has had a good career.  In 15 years, he has hit .282/.360/.496 with 334 home runs.

If Beltran has to miss anymore time than what he has already missed in Game Three, the Cardinals could be in trouble.  Matt Holliday isn't hitting, so St. Louis has had to rely on unlikely heros like Daniel Descalso and Pete Kozma.  They need Beltran in the lineup if they are going to repeat as World Series champions.
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