Wainwright Is My Boy
Seriously. How awesome is Adam Wainwright? It seems like he’s pretty much a stud.
Impressed: Obviously with Wainwright. It was his second game of the year and he pitched like that. That was lights out and that was impressive.
Random Thought: I really want to get down to a game. I know it should be a simple grab and ticket and go but man, there’s just so much else I have to do. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten tickets to one though. Very sad.
Worry: I guess I’m worried about how bad the Astros are. Seriously nothing really to worried about in that last game. No problems that I really saw all that much.
Prediction from Yesterday: I said Wainwright would pitch a great game and guess what, I got one right. I feel good about that one. Now I’ve got some steam going and maybe I’ll get a nice streak going.
Well tonight should be another great early season matchup. I don’t want to hate on the Astros but it feels nice to help them off to a winless start. Can the Cardinals keep it up tonight? Let’s look at the game.
Pitching: Penny versus Myers. I was impressed by Penny last game but can he pitch that good again. Maybe he can maybe he can’t. I obviously associate Myers with the Phillies and it’s weird to hear that name with the Astros. We’ll have to see how he pitches since he’s been plagued with injuries and problems.
Prediction: I think the Cardinals light up Myers tonight and give Penny a win. He deserved it from last time. To pick a player, I’m going to guess Colby tonight.
Thing to watch: The pen. I think they will have to come in this game with it on the line. I hope they can keep the Astros down.
That’s it for now. Enjoy the game tonight and get to the game at Busch if you can. Again, anyone reading, drop me a comment or email. Thanks.
Comeback? Nope
So close to the comeback. It sure made for an exciting ninth but no sweep. Let’s look at the game that was.
Impressed: I’m going to say Pujols. Right when I start to get worried he just puts the team on his back and goes and gets some. That’s just nuts.
Random Thought: When was the last time the Cardinals opened the season with three series against NL Central teams? Houston comes to town tonight and that’s going to be a good series. I’m loving the feel of opening day at Busch. Wish I could go.
Worry: Carpenter. What happened? I know he can’t pitch lights out every time he goes out there but still, that wasn’t good. He’s given up more homeruns this year than he should be. I’m worried.
Prediction from yesterday: Well I was way off on this one. Thought it would be low scoring but nope. Pretty high scoring. I am off pretty much every time. Gotta get one right.
Tonight, as I said, the Astros come to town. Am I worried? Not in any way. Houston are 0 and 6 and I’m not going to say it, but something beautiful could happen this week with the Cardinals versus them.
Pitching: Rodriguez versus Wainwright. Wainwright is my boy on the mound and I’m thinking even if he liked the start he had last time, he’s going to go out there and look to put on a terrific performance for the crowd tonight. I’m looking for a great matchup tonight.
Prediction: Wainwright pitches a game that will be talked about tomorrow and for this season. I just feel a really good game tonight from him.
Thing to watch: I actually haven’t watched much of the Astros at all this year, so I’m watching what’s wrong with them. Berkman apparently won’t make the trip so that’s something. That still leaves at least two of my least favorite players, Lee and Pence. Pence just happens to be one of my least favorite players.
Anyway, that’s it for today. Almost didn’t get this one in. If anyone’s reading out there feel free to drop me a comment or email. Until tomorrow, happy Opening Day.
Two Series- Two Wins
It feels nice to already know that the Cardinals get two series wins. That’s nice. Let’s get the games.
Impressed: It’s hard not to be impressed with the way Garcia pitched. Good game for him and it’s great that the Cardinals may just have a dependable fifth starter. I liked the fact that he pretty much waited until the Cardinals had a good lead until he really gave up any hits.
Random Thought: How about that 0 and 5 start for the Houston Astros? What happened to the Astros I used to fear and hate every single time we played them? Don’t get me wrong. I still don’t like them but how can I fear them in the same breath as the Cubs or Brewers when they play like this. I don’t fear them at all, yet.
Worry: Not all that much to worry about in this game. I guess you could say the fact some players are struggling, Ryan? Still, mostly nothing to worry about. My real worry? I don’t get to watch the whole home opener because of class. So sad.
Prediction from yesterday: Ludwick delivered an RBI in the game but that was his only hit. I’m calling this one a miss even though he did get an RBI.
Now let’s get to today’s game. Hopefully a sweep is in the works.
Pitching: Carpenter takes the mound against Wolf today. Carpenter is the Cards ace for sure but does he have the juice to take down the Brewers and give a clear signal to the Central? Wolf is a good pitcher and a lefty. The lefty part scares me just because of our plague of “I can’t hit lefties” from the past like fifty years. (That may be an exaggeration.) It’s going to be a good one today.
Prediction: Unlike yesterday, I’m predicting a low scoring game. I would love a complete game from Carpenter but I won’t predict that. Instead, I’m predicting Carp to be lights out and pitch deep in this game. He was pretty good against the NL Central last year. (Now that’s a understatement.)
Thing to watch: How the Cardinals hit against the lefty. It may be a sign of things to come for the year. Hopefully, they’ll be able to hit him. Most notably, the hot hitting Rasmus. Will he be in the lineup or sit? If he plays, how will he hit. We’ll just have to see.
Sounds like a great game to me. That’s all for today. Let’s hope at this time tomorrow we’re busting out the brooms. Happy watching or listening.
After A Rough Night
Well after one that I said was tough to lose we get one that is very very nice to win. Here I was all set to accept the lose and Stavinoha rescues the game. Let’s go to the review.
Impressed: How can you not be impressed by that Stavinoha home run? It was against one of the best closers in baseball. It was two outs. It was two strikes. Plus, it was an absolute golf shot. He went out and dug that thing practically out of the dirt. Loved it. I’m impressed.
Random Thought: I’m not sure why but I hate the Brewers more than almost every team out there. I mean, yeah the Cubs are up on the very top but the Brewers man. I don’t know why I just don’t like the way they play the game.
Worry: I’m going to say I’m worried about Pujols at the plate. I say that knowing full well that he’ll be fine but he seems to be striking out quite a bit more than normal. Also, I figure the day after I worry about Pujols, he’ll come back to bite me with it by punishing the Brew Crew.
Prediction from Yesterday: Well my offense didn’t come back. Ryan didn’t do anything at the plate and for that matter neither did much of the team. It was good to see Holliday have a good day.
So to today’s game. It’s set to be another good one and deepen the rivalry against the Brewers.
Pitching: Garcia versus Gallardo. This is going to be an interesting matchup in several ways. First of all Garcia makes his first start. I’m obviously wondering how he will do. Gallardo just got a big contract extension but he’s young too. So I think this game comes down to which pitcher makes less mistakes.
Prediction: I’m going to predict Ludwick again. I know I did this year already but I think Ludwick is going to start heating up at the plate this game. I also think this game has the potential to be high scoring slugfest. Just a feeling.
Thing to watch: How can I not pick Garcia? He’s making his first start and he’s the fifth on this team. Tony didn’t want to put him in the big spot light on Sunday so he put him here. I’ll be watching when this kid goes to the mound and takes the ball for these Cards.
That’s it for today. A quick shout out to Keith Tkachuk who I got to see in his last home game. He’s a great player and thanks are due to him for the years he spent with the Blues.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
So that was a tough one. Let’s get right to it.
Impressed: I was impressed, enough, by Brad Penny. He pitched well and it sure looked like he could be a very good starter, especially a number three. I won’t jump on the “He’s amazing” bandwagon yet but I was impressed with his first game. We’ll see what happens now.
Random Thought: Scott Rolen use to be my favorite player on the Cardinals. Seeing him celebrate after that Reds walk-off hurt a little bit. I just can’t get used to it. I guess I need to find someone else that I like that much.
Worry: I could put the bullpen in here for a third game in a row but I won’t. I’ll put in here the lack of offense. I’m not really that worried about it but after talking about how I wasn’t nervous about Arroyo we manage that game against him. That’s ugly. Look for my prediction to see what I think about the offense.
Prediction from Last night: Obviously Tony switched his lineup. Lopez was spotted and so was LaRue (made sense) and Craig. Craig was interesting to see out there. Either way, prediction was right.
So now to tonight’s game. Just a note, this will be the first of probably many games I won’t be able to watch or listen to live. Going to the Blues game. So bearing that in mind let’s dive into it.
Pitching: Lohse versus Bush. Now granted it’s only the first game of the season that he’ll pitch but still, it’s a big game for Lohse. It’s the game either where Cardinal nation either breathes a sigh of “we’re going to be okay here” or a scream of “it’s going to be a long season”. I don’t know Bush all that well but it’s the Brew Crew so their numbers from last year says don’t worry but my heart says have a little fear.
Prediction: Look for the offense to come back tonight, maybe not in a big way but definitely with something. It was nice to see Holliday get his first home run of the year last game but really low offensive game overall. One player? I’m going to say Ryan. I just think if he starts he’s going to have a good series. Don’t ask me why.
One thing to watch: I could go Lohse. I could go bullpen. I’m picking Pujols. Reason? Pujols struck out like three times in that last series and although started it strong, he had a rough second and third day. Watch Pujols. I feel like he’s going to be a little mad at himself and do something tonight. You watch.
That’s it for today. Like I said, most of tomorrow’s blog will be based on replay and stats. Has to happen sometime. Happy reading.
Wain is Alright
Game two, same result. Eerily similar to how Carpenter pitched. Let’s get to the review.
Impressed: Wainwright. I’m not even going to pretend like I wasn’t a little scared by what I was hearing from the spring training reports of Wainwright. To see him come out and pitch like that. I was impressed.
Random Thought: Carpenter’s chin hair, him chewing on it? Not good. Time to shave that off and go to something else.
Worry: I’m going to stick with the bullpen. Sure Franklin came in and got three outs but they hit him hard. He’s not getting ground balls like they depend on. Plus Kyle let up a run too. I’m still worried and one game can’t quell that.
My prediction: Ludwick? Well he got an RBI but did so so at the plate. I would say I was right in the field though. He sure did make some pretty catches at the end there. I was half right.
So let’s get to today’s game shall we. First the pitching match.
Pitching: Penny versus Arroyo. Of course the big story here is the debut of Penny. Can he come in and retake the form he had from a few years ago. We shall see. Arroyo, I used to fear. Now I’m not so sure. He just seems weird to me. Hopefully, he won’t be that pitcher I used to fear.
Prediction: A Lopez start. I know this is rather silly prediction but I think we’ll see him today because Tony probably won’t use the same lineup three days in a row. That’s just crazy.
One thing to watch: This one is obvious. Brad Penny. Have to see what he’s got. It’ll be an interesting thing to watch.
That’s all for today. Tune in tomorrow. Day baseball is great, aint it?
Opening Day (Well Week) Thoughts
And we’re back.
Opening Day around the majors isn’t a national holiday, but it sure should be. The Cardinals started up Monday and what an opening day it was. I’m only going to say a few things about it.
I’m going to try and do my look back at the last game in this way.
One thing I was impressed by
One random thought
One thing I’m worried about
So on that note, here we go:
Impressed: The obvious here would be Pujols of course but how can you be impressed by him doing work. I’m impressed but not shocked. I’ll go instead with Colby Rasmus. I was doubting Tony’s placement of him in the fifth spot and guess what? Colby Jack! That’s right. Not only that but he robbed Scottie Rolen of his second homerun. I’m impressed.
Random Thought: I really want to get to Cincinnati for a game. It’s my dream to get to all the NL Central parks and that one just seems attainable.
Worry: Obvious here, the bullpen. Carp pitched a good, not great game, and the pen could have blown it. Thank God for Yadi who saved us.
The look ahead.
Tonight, it’s my current favorite Wainwright against Johnny Cueto. Cueto scares me just a bit but so does Wainwright. Plus, I just don’t think the Reds are there yet.
Prediction: (Here I’m not going to predict a win or loss. I expect a win every day but understand you can’t win them all. Instead I will predict something in game, such as a player to do well.)
Ryan Ludwick is going to have a good game tonight. I just feel like from what I heard in spring he was in good form. Look for him to go well tonight.
One thing to watch: I hate to say it but the bullpen. If we get up by one or two late I’ll be watching really close.
That’s all for today. Check back tomorrow to read about tonight’s game and predictions. Oh and enjoy the season.
Cubs Series in Review
Wow. It’s been a while. I had so many things pop up this weekend that it got crazy. I may not be able to keep this up every day because of all the stuff I have left. Oh well. Let’s talk about the Cubs Cards series.
Wainwright finally looked good but Wellemeyer didn’t. Pujols absolutely hit a pitch out of the park with that grand slam. It felt good getting those two wins over the Cubs. I wasn’t so upset about the loss on Sunday because of the win streak at home that we were on. I knew that we had to loss sometime. Still, a second sweep in a row would have been nice. I also hate injuries to baseball players but the Cards need to jump on this chance when the Cubs aren’t all that healthy and get a big lead while they can. I know it’s still early but we’re quickly getting into the second month and every game we can gain is important.
Let’s look ahead shall we. Tonight starts a three game series against the Braves. That’s not a bad thing for me. I haven’t had a chance to look at them all that much but the ever amazing Chipper Jones plays against us and he’s one of those players that I love but hate all at the same time. I really think he’s a good guy. Let’s see my new favorite pitcher starts tonight in Pinero and hopefully he will go to 4-0. For my worth, I think he’s got a good chance. Offensively, the Cards slowed down only slightly this week and if we want to continue to win we need to keep on rolling. I don’t think that we’re going to slow down and I think this could be a statement series. I don’t think a lot of people are giving us any credit but instead saying that the Cubs and Brewers are starting slow. Well, let’s proof them all wrong and let them know that we are off to a great start and it’s not a fluke. Anyway, those are my thoughts tonight and hopefully the Cards can keep up this hot streak. Let’s start the road on a good trip.
Question of the day: What do you think of the Braves? Do you fear them?
Bust Out the Brooms
So that sweep felt fantastic. Let’s jump into the game that was.
Pitching: Lohse didn’t look quite as good as usual but heck he did good so I can’t complain The bullpen on the other hand did not look stellar. It should be said though that only Walters gave up any earned runs but still not the best looking day for our bullpen.
Offense: Well right when I say to take Ankiel out he goes and hits a home run. Wow. I was wrong. He had another great day. Also, can anybody stop Albert? The answer of course is no.
Overall: A sweep is always good but a sweep against the Mets, one of my least favorite teams now after 2006, and of course a win when the Cubs lose is a huge bonus. Overall, I’m glad to see that Cards can win a slug fest.
Tonight’s matchup. Ah the Cubs Cards rivalry is my favorite in all sports. Better than most holidays and that’s not a lie. Let’s get to it.
Pitching: Dempster versus Wainwright. Well the “Ace” of the club is on the mound for the Cards and though Wainwright has been pitching well I just am not truly convinced about him this year. I need him to put more innings in and then we’ll talk about his ace status. As far as Dempster goes I actually have seen him pitch and don’t like him. He scares me both because he’s a good pitcher and supposedly a nice guy. I might even like him if he didn’t play for the Cubs. I think Dempster has a slight edge though look for Wainwright to get a due point.
Offensively: I’m not going to make guesses about the outfield although sitting Rasmus would be my choice. Get your experience out there and get a game on th Cubs. Molina and Greene will be back and probably Barden considering how he hit against the Cubs. I like the Cards offensively because they are hot and not slowing down. Offensively the Cubs scare me, as their price tag would indicate but Lee isn’t looking that good to me. On a side note, I think my least favorite Cub award so far this year is going to Soriano because he’s annoying me to no end.
Overall: I give the Cards the momentum train. They look so good right now that I can’t bet against them. Plus, I give them the factor of home field.
I think this series will say a lot about the season in general. I just think that the Cards need to be able to beat the Cubs to be able to beat the Cubs in the win column. What do you think?
Question of the day: What do you think of the importance of this series and who is your least favorite Cub right now?
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