Don't Stop Believing...

04/23/2012

Cardinals 2 Cubs 3

Dear Cards,

Seriously, boys? Is this how our/your string of consecutive series going to end? At the hands of the Chicago Cubs?

I know, I know there are two more games to play in the series.  It isn't over yet, the fat lady isn't singing, don't stop believing.

Well, I can hear the fat lady running through her vocal exercises.  No offense to Adam Wainwright, but he isn't the same pitcher.  It's not his fault.  He probably won't be the Adam Wainwright of yore until August.

I am hopeful he can hold back the Cubs offense just enough that we can score enough runs to win, but the NL best offense is currently not clicking on all cylinders. (Although, maybe we are.  Yesterday's pitcher, Matt Garza,  is a good pitcher and good pitchers have the annoying tendency of shutting down good hitting.)

We really need to win this game tonight, Wainwright.  Offense, you all need to do your thing tonight (no, not the striking out and leaving a ton of men on base,  the other thing-- getting loads of hits and scoring most of the men who get on base). 

Tonight is MUST WIN if you want to have a rubber game tomorrow, if you want a chance of keeping the streak alive and winning a series tomorrow. (To state the obvious).

Adam was better last time, hopefully he'll improve even more.  Maybe this time you hitters can actually score runs while he's on the mound, too.

I feel like this is the first big test of the season-- a mid-term, if you will. It's like everything else-- Berkman going on the DL, center fielders running into walls-- were quizzes.  Although, Chris Carpenter being out indefinitely is a test.

'Til Later!

PS I hope I'm happy later tonight and not bombed out. 

Baby Birds are Making Noise, Causing a Ruckus

There are three types of ballplayers: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens. -Roy Campanella

04/15/2012

Cubs 3 Cardinals 10

Dear Baby Birds (previous members of the Memphis Mafia), 

You are awesome! You make it happen.  Last year, Jon Jay wound up playing in 159 games-- the most of any Cardinal.  When David was injured, Daniel Descalso played third base so well that he was a gold glove nominee.  Allen Craig and David Freese became a large part of the post season offense.  Lance Lynn excelled in his playoff bullpen role and has been an awesome starter so far this year.

On Sunday, Matt Carpenter had possibly the greatest day of his professional career-- he went 4 for 4 with five RBIs, a triple and a home run.   I say he was a pretty good sub for his childhood hero, Lance Berkman.

It came to Cardinals Nation's attention that Matt Carpenter will need a nickname-- simply because he shares two names with rather prevalent members of the St Louis Cardinals, Matt Holliday and Chris Carpenter.  A few suggested names (courtesy of St. Louis Post Dispatch's Cards Talk members) were Little Carp, Lil Carp, MC Hammer, T.O. (the other) Carpenter.  My favorite suggestion is knuckles. It definitely fits because he doesn't wear batting gloves!

My favorite thing about the Baby Birds/Memphis Mafia is the fact that you guys have experienced success together in the minor leagues and are now making memories together in the majors.  Plus, Puma says that the thing he likes about the Cardinals young players is that they all come up knowing how to play.  

'Til Later

P.S. Please win tonight-- I'll be in attendance! GO CARDS!

Tossed into the 'ssippi (i.e. those "in the dog house"):

Matt Holliday- Matty hit a long flyout Sunday, he was  warned.
Tyler Greene-  Ugly error on what looked to be a easy, routine play.

Oh Look! One of the Ol' Birds is limping...

04/10/2012

Cardinals 3 Reds 1

Dear Berkman,

When you legged out that triple Tuesday night, I pressed my hands to my cheeks and made a face like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone--mostly because I didn't think you'll make third, and also-- let's face it, Puma--you're kind of old. 

I liked the aggressiveness, though, because it was the sixth inning and we were only winning by one.  I figured the only way to ensure that a run would score would be that triple, and then a sac fly.  Freese overachieved and  sent the  ball out the park.  

Hindsight is perfect vision.  In hindsight, you should have just stayed on second.  The season is a marathon, not a sprint.  And now you've been slowed due to a torn muscle in your calf.  Apparently, you are aiming to return to the lineup Tuesday.

I hope you recover well and feel all the way healthy when you return.

04/11/2012

Cardinals 3 Reds 4

Dear Birds,

You guys had a hard time finishing series off last year-- you'll win the first two games and then on "get away day" you let the game... get away.  (I know it wasn't the "A" lineup, but no excuses, boys, no excuses!)  At least we won the series but it sucks to lose the last game on a walk off.  

I hope this was just an aberration and the next time you win the first two games of a series you win the third game. 

Also, Jaime, I know you are a person of habit and hate when things throw you off your schedule-- Al Hrabosky says that if you order food that's supposed to arrive in 30 minutes, you start freaking out if it doesn't arrive by that time-- but pitching on the road should really be no different than pitching at home.  Please start pitching better on the road.  Last year, you had a 2.55 ERA at home and a 4.61 ERA on the road-- a huge difference.

I want to break out the broom this weekend against the Cubs.  They used up their run quota for the week in a 8-1 win against the Brewers, so go out and win. Can't wait! I hope I'm not disappointed and I'll be disappointed if we were to lose any of these games.

'Til Later

"HAPPY FLIGHT!" METER:  2/3