Monday, March 16

Cards Get Walked Off Like a Pirate's Prisoner on a Plank


For the second day in a row, the Cards suffered a walk off loss. Today was a 7-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers. I actually had the pleasure of watching this game, my first this season, thanks to my new favorite channel, MLB Network.

Albert Pujols remembered what a home run trot feels like today when he hit his first homer of the spring. It's not that he hasn't been hitting well, (.361 AVG, 9 RBI) Albert just hadn't found that home run swing yet. I even called it. Sometimes when Pujols is batting, I just get that feeling...the feeling that something is about to happen. My sister was walking by and I called to her, "Hey, watch this." After a couple of trademark Pujols roll-over fouls, he connected...Gone.

Always try to keep your words soft and sweet, because you never know when you're going to have to eat them... This quote is meant for Khalil Greene. I clearly showed my disdain towards the front office after the Khalil Greene trade; especially due to Greene's horrible year last season, speaking of both his health and his numbers. However, Greene is looking more and more every day like he is back to his 2007 form and has put his paltry 2008 performance far behind him.

Greene went 3-3 today with a double and three RBI's. That was his fifth double of the spring, his 12th RBI and his average is at .447. Though I am a very proud person and hate to have to eat my words, this is actually an instance where I would love nothing more. If me eating my words means Cardinal success, I will be all for it.

Skip "One, Two, Buckle My" Schu-maker and Rick "Don't Twist Your" Ankiel also had great days, with both of them going 2-3 at the plate. They both are hitting well over .300 on the spring and Skip is looking more and more solid defensively every day. I am much happier with Skip at second instead of Kennedy. Good move Moz...I'll give ya this one. But don't get used to it. You still have a long way to go to prove yourself to me.

Todd Wellemeyer struggled giving up four runs on six hits in five innings. I'll give him one bad outing, he has been mostly solid this spring. Jason Motte pitched one inning, doing what he does best. He faced three batters and blew all three of them away. He is still my leading candidate for the ninth inning come regular season. (Vote to the left on who you think should be closer)

Fernando Salas gave up the walk off in the ninth, so don't fret too much. I would be willing to wager $18 that he won't be closing any games in Busch this season. Actually, I'm feeling really confident...make it $19.

In off the field news today, the Cards made a line of cuts from the big league camp moving their spring training roster down to 37. Included in this cut were Brian Barton, Mitchell Boggs, Charlie Manning, Matthew Scherer, as well as four other non-roster invitees.

Brian Barton had given the Cards a strong 2008 and was showing more of the same this spring (he had a two home run game not too long ago). Unfortunately for Barton, he is just another hair clogged in the drain known as the Cardinal outfield. Tony La Russa explained to the media why they made the decision to send Barton to triple-A."(Brian Barton) needs to play every day to prove he's a big leaguer," manager Tony La Russa said. "He needs work. He's got talent. We're excited about him, but he needs to play." We'll see him again soon, sooner rather than later.

Cards have Tuesday off and play another split squad game on Wednesday. The starters should be Chris Carpenter for the home game and Kyle McClellan for the away contest. I still get nervous every time Carp goes out to pitch. Hopefully, he can keep up the perfect spring.
Anyway, that's all I have for today.

Go Cards.

2 comments:

  1. You're giving MO credit for Skip's success and getting rid of Kennedy -- I thought that was a Tony thing. But I guess if we are giving MO credit for doing nothing, he is very good.

    Go Cards.

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  2. I gave Mo the credit because La Russa hates 3/4 of the team. Mo has to pick which ones to get rid of though.

    At least this is the last year for Tony. Oquendo is doing very well coach team Puerto Rico...getting in some coaching experience before next season..

    And don't steal my signature. Jerk.

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