Play Like A Cardinal – Part 2

The Cards have the day off today, so there’s no better time to show another commercial from the team’s new ad campaign.  I posted one starring Rick Ankiel on Thursday.  This spot stars Fredbird, the league’s best mascot.  Enjoy!

Cards @ Giants – 4/13

Update (8:15 pm):  Game over.  Cards lose.  Who’s to blame?  I guess no one, but maybe everyone.  You can’t win ‘em all, but I thought this one would be a tougher fought battle than it turned out to be.  

In the beginning, I thought it was brilliant for Tony La Russa to have Aaron Miles sacrifice the runner over to third in the first inning.  Normally, with no one out, you’d like to play for the big inning, but with Tim Lincecum on the hill for the Giants, scoring early might be the difference in the game.  Well, I was wrong. The Cards missed out on an early scoring opportunity, and Joel Pineiro’s first start of the year left a lot to be desired.  He allowed 6 runs on 10 hits in only 3 2/3 innings.

It was no surprise that the offense struggled against Lincecum, but you can’t help but wonder if the outcome would have been different if Albert Pujols and the rest of the regulars would have been in there. Ultimately, the Cards had scoring opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize.  That seems to be the theme here in the early part of the season.  Today’s final, Giants win 7-4.  Here’s the full recap and box score.

Now at 9-4, but still in first place by a half game in the Central, the Cards will take tomorrow off before hosting the Brew Crew for three games at Busch.  The upcoming series might be the first true test for Redbirds.  Luckily, the club won’t have to face Milwaukee’s best hurlers, Ben Sheets and Yovani Gallardo. With the front of the rotation starting for the Cardinals, I expect them to win two of three.  It’s times like this when I wish I was back in St. Louis.

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The Cards will try to end the road trip on a high note today, hoping to head back to St. Louis with a 10-3 record.  Joel Pineiro takes the ball for the Redbirds.  The Giants counter with young flamethrower Tim Lincecum.

Yesterday, I speculated that Albert Pujols would get the day off.  I had no idea that Troy Glaus and Cesar Izturis would also be out of the lineup.  Actually, I’m not too surprised.  In years past, Tony La Russa has been known to give several players rest on the same day, especially in the final game of a series.

Here’s today’s lineups:

St. Louis Cardinals

1. Skip Schumaker  LF
2. Aaron Miles  SS
3. Rick Ankiel  CF
4. Ryan Ludwick  RF
5. Chris Duncan  1B
6. Rico Washington  3B
7. Yadier Molina  C
8. Joel Pineiro  P
9. Adam Kennedy  2B

San Francisco Giants

1. Fred Lewis  LF
2. Eugenio Valez  2B
3. Randy Winn  CF
4. Bengie Molina  C
5. Jose Castillo  3B
6. John Bowker  RF
7. Rich Aurilia  1B
8. Brian Bocock  SS
9. Tim Lincecum  P

I’ll have more after the game, and if you missed it, check out this morning’s post.  Let’s go Cardinals!

Sunday Tidbits

The Cardinals have started the year off hot, going 9-3 in the first 12 games, and winning each of their first three series, with a chance to win a fourth later today.  I think we’ll have a better idea of what’s to come from this season after they play some more formidable opponents.  That starts after the off-day tomorrow, with a three game series at home against Milwaukee.  So far, the Cards have taken advantage of what seems to be an easier April schedule than most.  But, a win in April is every bit as good as a win in September, and by the end of the month, the Redbirds may have cushioned their record enough to overcome some summer shortcomings against top flight teams.  

As early as it is in the season, there has still been plenty of talk about adding an impact bat to the lineup. If all the Cards fall into place, the team will have a surplus of pitching to deal from.  Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post Dispatch speculates on where the possible addition would come from.  Find that story here.

Also from the Post, there’s a great article about the uniqueness of Cardinal outfielder Rick Ankiel, written by Rick Hummel.  As is nearly all of his stuff, this one’s definitely worth the read.

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by the folks at Hasbro, and asked to check out a new baseball themed game designed for kids.  It’s called Bulls-eye Baseball, and it’s a mini skeet-ball type game, made for kids seven and up.  Sure.  Well, the game arrived last week, and I finally had a chance to open it up this morning.  This game rocks!  I’m a little older than seven, but am still very entertained with this thing.  It’s addicting.  It has an announcer that keeps track of the action, along with other baseball sounds, and lights up the base paths after hits.  Rather than try to explain the game, I’ll send you here.  Where was this when I was a kid?  Anyway, I can’t wait to try “drinking Bulls-eye Baseball”!  Just don’t try it with your seven year old!

Cards Win a Wild One

What started as a pitchers duel, ended up being an extra innings slug fest.  I got home from work just in time to see Matt Cain’s solo home run to break the 0-0 tie.  I really enjoy watching a well pitched game, but missed that half, and instead saw a total of fifteen runs cross the plate after the fifth inning.  It was great to see the Redbirds claw back into it.  They never let  up, and eventually got the win.  8-7 was the final. Here’s the full recap.

The 9-3 Cardinals remain in first place in the Central, with a game and a half lead over Milwaukee.  Tomorrow is the series finale, with Joel Pineiro going against Tim Lincecum.  It will be Pineiro’s first start of the year. Should be fun.  Look for Pujols to sit tomorrow, as Tony La Russa generally likes to rest certain veteran players before an off day.

Unfortunately, I’ve got to keep it short tonight, but be sure to check in tomorrow.  I’ve got several things in the works.

Cards @ Giants – 4/11

Last night, it looked as if the Cardinals didn’t show up to play, falling to San Francisco 5-1.  Some were speculating the reason for the lackluster showing was jet lag.  The Cards didn’t arrive at their hotel until 3:30 in the morning.  Others are simply stating that the bats were silenced by the opposing pitcher, Kevin Correia.  I think it was a little of both.  I thought Correia was outstanding, but I also noticed the lack of fire from the usually energetic young Birds.  I thought that Adam Wainwright would dominate, giving the Cardinals their best start to a season since 1981.  He pitched a pretty good game until the seventh when the wheels came off.  Joe Strauss has a nice recap of last nights action.

The two teams are back at it again tonight, with Kyle Lohse starting for St. Louis.  For San Francisco, Barry Zito gets the ball.  The former ace is 0-2, with a 6.30 ERA.  According to Strauss, Brian Barton is in the lineup against the lefty tonight.  Be sure to check out Derrick Goold’s Bird Land.  He’s done some research, and examines Barton and company’s role in the team’s scoring thus far.

Obviously, I’d like to see the Cardinals take the remaining three games of this series, but I think it’s easier said than done.  After Zito tonight, the Giants throw Matt Cain tomorrow, and Tim Lincecum on Sunday. The Cardinals aren’t scoring many runs on lesser pitchers, and have ended up atop the division almost solely on the performances from their starters.  I don’t think it’s realistic to expect them to continue at their current pace.  If the Redbirds are to take the series, they’re certainly going to need to plate a lot more runs. Perhaps Barton could get them started.

Play Like A Cardinal

The Cardinals are running a series of commercials for their new ad campaign, with the slogan “Play Like A Cardinal”.  This spot stars outfielder Rick Ankiel.  Enjoy!

Pujols Leads Cards to Seventh Win

With tonight’s 6-4 win over the Houston Astros, the Cardinals take their third straight series to start the season.  With Milwaukee’s loss to Cincinnati, the Redbirds stand alone in first place in the Central.

The story in this one was Albert Pujols.  Coming into tonight’s game, Pujols had just one RBI, and no home runs.  Perhaps fueled by the earlier altercation with Houston’s Brandon Backe, Albert teed off on Astros’ pitching, going 3-4, with a walk, 2 home runs and 3 RBI.  Isn’t there a saying about not waking a sleeping giant?  This could be the time when Albert really starts to heat up.  I can’t wait until Backe has to pitch against the Redbirds.

Cardinal lead-off hitter Skip Schumaker broke out of his funk, getting on base four times, with three hits and a walk.  Each of the first three Cardinal batters scored twice.  Braden Looper was solid, and the bullpen was equally as effective.  Closer Jason Isringhausen recorded his league leading fifth save, and has yet to allow a run.  For more, check out the full recap and box score.

All in all, it was another entertaining series from Minute Maid.  It seems like every time the Cardinals visit Houston, you can count on seeing some good games.  Right now, however, it’s tough to gauge just how good this Cardinal team is.  Colorado didn’t play like the reigning NL champs, and both Washington and Houston are considered sub-par teams.  Next up, the Birds fly out to the Barry-less Bay, to face the Giants.  Although also considered a non-contender, San Francisco does have some good arms, something the Cards haven’t faced much of yet.

Reyes Gets the Win

Who would have thought?  The once mighty St. Louis Cardinals, clearly on the decline (according to the “experts”), start the 2008 season 6-2.  Maybe the ease of the April schedule should get some credit for the hot start. Obviously the outstanding pitching performances from the starting five weren’t going to last forever.  Most of us would have been happy to be a .500 club right now.  Either way, a win is a win.

Credit this one to Anthony Reyes.  After starter Brad Thompson ran up his pitch count in the third, he was only able to go four innings, striking out five, but leaving the game down 3-2.  Tony La Russa called upon Reyes for long relief, who faced only one over the minimum in three innings of work. His only blemish was a two out triple given up to the slumping Hunter Pence, before inducing a ground out from Lance Berkman.  Reyes now has half as many wins as he did in all of 2007.

Cardinal third baseman Troy Glaus provided the two go-ahead RBI on a double in the eighth.  Ryan Franklin pitched a scoreless bottom half, and Jason Isringhausen closed it out with his fourth save of the season in as many chances.  Here’s the full box score.

If tonight was an audition for Thompson to keep his spot in the rotation, he may have failed.  I’m not disappointed in his outing by any means, but it’s been reported that Joel Pineiro, after his rehab assignment, would slot into the rotation for Sunday, Thompson’s spot.  If that were the case, one would assume that Thompson joins the guys in the bullpen, and Kelvin Jimenez would be optioned back to Memphis.

The Cards have a chance tomorrow to start the year with three straight series wins.  Braden Looper gets the ball for the Redbirds, opposed by Houston’s Chris Sampson.

Finally, according to Matthew Leach, the Cardinals’ beat writer for MLB.com, lefty starter Mark Mulder is another step closer in his battle back to join the rotation.  Find that story here.  A healthy Mulder would displace another Cardinal starter, most likely Todd Wellemeyer or Braden Looper.  The way things have started, I’d be hesitant to replace any of them.

Cards Can’t Spoil Astros’ Opener

The winning streak may have come to an end, but the streak of brilliant outings by the Cardinals’ starting staff remains intact.  What started out as a pitchers’ duel between St. Louis starter Todd Wellemeyer and Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez, ended with some offensive fireworks.

Wellemeyer took a two-hit shutout into the seventh before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee.  His night was through after seven, allowing the 2 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 7.  I was very impressed with his performance, even without the bloody nose.  Both starters were very good, but Rodriguez was slightly better.  The Cards managed to string only 3 hits against him in 7 1/3 innings.

The game really changed gears in the ninth, when the Cards rallied to tie it at three, but ultimately lost it on a Miguel Tejada walk-off in the bottom half off of rookie Kyle McClellan.  It’s certainly a blow to the young righty, but I feel worse for Wellemeyer.  He pitched a terrific game, save the solo home runs from two of the league’s best.  The Cards flashed the leather tonight too, with great plays from Aaron Miles, Troy Glaus, and Cesar Izturis.  Here’s the full box score.

So while we’re not raising our glasses to another Cardinal victory, we do have reason to lift ‘em up.  From Anheuser Busch:

In case you didn’t know, today April 7, 2008 is a solemn and joyous anniversary in the annals of beer history. It’s the 75th Anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition for beer in the United States.

During the summer of 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt campaigned on the platform that he would repeal Prohibition (he called it the “stupendous blunder”), put American workers back on the job and help end the Depression. 
So, of course it’s no surprise that he won the election by a landslide.

True to his word, with one stroke of the pen 20 days after taking office, he signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, making 3.2% beer once again legal in the U.S. This meant that Lager Beer which was predominantly 
3.2% alcohol by weight would precede heavier beer styles and hard liquor by almost 8 full months.

So, at 12:01 a.m. on April 7, 1933, beer was back. 25,000 people celebrated here at our St. Louis Brewery that night and the rest of the country listened to a special live broadcast from August “Gussie” Busch, Jr. that was carried on radio stations coast to coast. Happy days were here again!

So today on the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition, raise a glass to the wisdom and fortitude of great men like Gussie Busch and Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a Budweiser, the Great American Lager.

Click here to listen to the broadcast.

The Cardinals will try to even the series tomorrow, with Brad Thompson facing Shawn Chacon.  The first series loss of the year is on the line.

Get Out The Brooms

So what if it’s only the Washington Nationals.  The important thing is that the Cardinals are in the midst of a five game winnings streak, and still tied for the best record in baseball at 5-1.  Now if only the home opener wasn’t washed out (insert dead horse here).

Kyle Lohse kept up the streak, and now hands the pressure baton over to Todd Wellemeyer.  Lohse pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits. Cardinal starters, who continue to try and outdo one another, have now combined to pitch 37 2/3 innings, while allowing only 4 runs.  This was supposed to be the club’s weakness heading into the start of the season.

Cardinal outfielder Rick Ankiel was once again the offensive hero, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, including a solo home run in the third.  Ryan Ludwick also had a pair of hits, and catcher Yadier Molina added another RBI. Although the Cards won it 3-0, you got to tip your cap to Washington’s starter John Lannan.  He was impressive, but took the loss in a quality start.  Jason Isringhausen got his third save of the year with another scoreless inning.  Here’s the full recap and  box score.

Living in South Florida, I was forced to watch the Nationals’ broadcast, complete with former Cardinal announcer, Bob Carpenter.  Of course I would have preferred the home town guys, but Carpenter was a pleasant and familiar voice to listen to.  My one complaint about the MASN broadcast was their lack of radar. I was interested in seeing the speeds of the pitchers, particularly the two starters, but was disappointed to see or hear no indication throughout the entire game.  Boo.

Tomorrow it’s on to the Juice Box, where the Astros will host the Cards in a three game series.  Houston will start Wandy Rodriguez in the series opener, followed by Shawn Chacon and Chris Sampson.  The Astros are off to a 2-5 start, and won’t benefit from a Roy Oswalt appearance during the upcoming series (although Oswalt is sporting a 6.0 ERA).  That’s two series down, fifty to go.