Baseball 101... (...years later)

The 3 game sweep of the Cubs this week in St. Louis was impressive, but apparently not enough to muzzle the fans from the north side. Not only did the Cardinals sweep the mid-week series at Busch, they did it in dominant fashion. The Cubs managed to eek out 2 runs over the course of 3 games, and quite honestly should have been shutout in 2 of the 3 games. If not for a slight let down by Cardinals reliever, Ryan Franklin,who gave up a lone run in the 9th inning on Wednesday night, St. Louis would have had five pitchers contributing to a shutout. Chris Carpenter was untouchable, picking up the win in his first start back from the disabled list. Adam Wainwright was filthy on Thursday, giving up 1 run in 8 2/3 innings of work. The Redbirds pitching staff dominated the series, leaving the Cubs looking like they had left their bats at the airport in Chicago.

Even on the heels of this humiliation, Cubs fans continue talking. One excuse after another to explain their pitiful performance. I hear it at work, I read it in blogs, I see it in the media. Apparently, the cure for what ails the Cubs all rests in the return of their injured players. Ramirez and Zambrano seem to be "the resurrection" that Wood and Prior were supposed to be in seasons past. "Just wait till we're healthy again..." I've heard it my whole life.... I'll just keep waiting. Fortunately for me, I'm a Cardinals fan, not a Cubs fan. I'll give it to the Cubs fans though, they ARE loyal. To a fault.

The difference between the Cubs and the Cardinals is that the Cardinals have proven that they can play through the injuries. Year after year, Tony Larussa puts a team on the field with guys who step up and perform in the spotlight. Larussa has a way of convincing his players that they can win with whatever lineup they put out there. They don't sit around and wait for "their guys" to get healthy. They step up to the challenge and perform in their absence. That is why Tony is always altering his starting lineup and changing the batting order. He keeps everyone involved so that they are prepared if and when their time comes to step up to the plate.

I keep hearing Cubs fans calling it "over-achieving." Maybe some of their guys need to learn to over-achieve? It might save them from the heartburn that they are afflicted with every September. I'll take over-achievers before under-achievers every day of the week!

Holy Cow, Part II

After 2 2/3 games in St. Louis, I can safely say that the Cubs are in a nasty funk. Right now, they couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat in the middle of the ocean. It's almost sad to watch, actually. What is even worse is that it's against the FLIPPIN' CARDINALS! Almost anyone else I would understand... But the Cards?!?!? Geesh.

Oh, well... Enjoy it now while you can, Cards fans. I get a sneaky suspicion that it won't lat. Of course, if the Cubs don't re-learn how to hit and quickly, it may be an even longer summer on the North Side. That would be especially discouraging since the Cubs have the best talent... on paper. It's too bad they don't play the games on paper, though...

Holy Cow!

I hadn't checked here in quite a while, and what do I find? A CARDS fan talking smack?! Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy crap! Pick your favorite "holy" reference... ;-)

Seriously, the Cards play waaaay above their heads for a few weeks and all of a sudden, they're the team to beat?? If this were a three week season, perhaps, but it ain't. It's long, and injuries taked their toll with the best of them. Heck, Bradley, Lee, and Ramirez either have or are missing significant amounts of time, Soto couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat in the middle of the Atlantic, and Cubs pitchers were near the bottom in runs allowed, and yet the Cubbies are only a game and a half out as of this writing. That's either saying something about the talent of the Cubs or the weakness in the division. Given the title of the blog, one may think the latter, but I believe the former. I guess only time will tell, huh?

On a sadder and unrelated note, many of you already know, but for those that don't, "Let's Go Astros", aka Joel, died last Wednesday evening. For those of us that knew him IRL, I can tell you that you wouln't find a better friend, coworker, and all-around great guy than Joel. He will be truly missed. I know God has him now and he's watching the 'Stros from his recliner in Heaven having a cold one. Godspeed, my friend.

Stop The Bleeding!

Troy Glaus, Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Brendan Ryan, Rick Ankiel, and now, Ryan Ludwick. All key components and all on the DL. The St. Louis medical staff is working overtime trying to treat the wounds that keep piling up in the Cardinals clubhouse. While the clubhouse is looking more and more like an Emergency Room, the rest of the coaching staff is flipping coins, drawing straws, and playing "Rock, Paper, Scissors"trying to put together a lineup each night. While the injuries continue to pile up, so do the losses. The Cardinals, who at one point, were 10 games over .500 and had a little breathing room in the division, have now lost 7 of their last 10 games, and are in a 3 way tie for 1st with the Brewers and the Reds. It's nowhere near "panic time", but somehow, we do need to find a way to stop the bleeding.

Troy Glaus started the season on the DL, recovering from off season shoulder surgery. So, we haven't really "lost" him to injury as much as we've "missed" him because of an injury. Carpenter seems to be well on his way back to the mound, with nothing but positive feedback coming from his rehab. Hopefully, Carp will be back on the mound within a couple of weeks. Rick Ankiel was spared from what not only could have been a career ending injury, it very easily could have been a life altering injury. I believe all he needs is a little time to let the bruising and aches go away, and he'll be back very shortly. Ankiel has never come across as one who would be sidelined for any more time than absolutely necessary. Brendan Ryan, who has proven to be a very valuable utility infielder, has a left hamstring strain to go along with the right hamstring strain of Ryan Ludwick. Brendan Ryan did a great job of covering for Khalil Greene at shortstop while Greene was hampered with leg problems, but more importantly, Ryan is needed to fill in the question mark that has become 2nd base. The loss of Ludwick hurts in several key ways. First off, Ludwick was proving that last year was no fluke, and was hitting for avg. and power. Secondly, Ludwick is really the only "good" protection that the Cardinals have on the roster to hit behind behind Albert Pujols. The result of this being that we will have to live with musical chairs in the outfield until Ludwick and Ankiel return, and hope that Chris Duncan can fill the void that Ludwick has left in the cleanup spot in the batting order.

For all of you Cardinals fans, it's way too early to even think about panicking. I like to look at this as a blessing more than a problem. We can be glad that these injuries and visits to the DL are happening now, and not in September when we should be tuning up for the post season. Hopefully we can get all the kinks out now, so they won't be a hindrance later. After all... we're still in 1st place, despite the injuries, and even with the 3-7 record over the last week and a half, we are still 7 games over .500 for the season. First on the agenda needs to be winning tonight, and avoiding a sweep by the last place Pirates, then it's back home to face the Brewers at Busch this weekend.

Stop holding your breath! We're going to be just fine. Breathe in... let it out... breathe in...

I thought there was some rivalalry between the Cubs and the Cardinatls. Listening to fans on this blog, it's like St Louis has some inerative right to win and the Cubs are just glad to be close. Shouldn't there be some volley's back and forth? I guess at this point of the season, everyone is looking internally for thier own issues. BTW - Astros are playing like ass when it comes to consistency, both I do beliver we have some gamers, that will give everying at 110%. Let them come up to the big club to replace peoplse that are kind of half ass..

"King" Albert

April is in the record books, and Albert Pujols is well on his way to proving that he IS the best player in baseball. Whether you are a Cardinals fan or not, whether you are a Pujols fan or not, there is no denying that when "King" Albert steps onto the baseball field, we are all witnessing something special.

All Albert did in the month of April was lead the Major Leagues in RBI's with 28, lead the National League in Runs with 22, and belt 8 Home Runs, including 2 grand slams. He is in the top 5 in the National League in 5 offensive categories, while leading the Cardinals to a MLB best record of 16-7. The Cardinals hold a 3.5 game lead over their closest rival, the Milwaukee Brewers, going into the month of May. (Note: The Cubs have lost 7 of their last 10)

Albert Pujols is nothing short of spectacular, on and off the field. On the field he is not only intimidating to pitchers, he is a Gold Glove winner at 1st base, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, last years Roberto Clemente Award winner, not to mention two-time, and reigning NL MVP. Pujols is the only player in Major League history to begin his career with 8 consecutive seasons of a .300+ batting average, 30+ home runs, and 100+ RBI's. That streak is still alive going into the 2009 season, and the way April looked, he should be well on his way to making it 9 consecutive seasons.

I admit, I may be a little biased when it comes to speaking about Pujols. After all, I am a Cardinals fan, and I am so very fortunate to have him wearing the "Birds & Bat" on his chest every night. But the truth of the matter is, no matter what team you are a fan of, and no matter who your favorite player might be, there is no denying the talent that Albert Pujols brings to the table. He does it with class and respect for the game. He doesn't showboat or have any antics that he has to display for the fans in order to have an identity. The #5, and the name Pujols on the back of his uniform is all the identity he needs. Love him or hate him, you can't deny that you would love to have him on YOUR team!