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!

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!

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!

Dramatic Win for the Cardinals

The score was a lot closer than it should have been, but the Cardinals held on, beating the Nationals 5-4 for their third straight victory.  Braden Looper pitched a good game for the Cards, leaving after six, with a 5-1 lead.  The bullpen nearly surrendered that lead in the seventh.  Here’s the full recap and box score.

Offensively, it was nice to see rookie outfielder Brian Barton lead things off with a double, and it’s always great to see Rick Ankiel go deep.  I think my favorite part of his home run, however, was the call by Dan McLaughlin. Home team broadcasters have every right to be biased with their commentary, and Dan and Al Hrabosky are no exception.  They’re great.  On the disappointing side, Troy Glaus went 0 for 3, with two strikeouts and 4 LOB.  His defense wasn’t any better tonight either.  I guess it’s normal for a guy to be pressing as much as Glaus is right now.  He’s with a new team, with some big shoes to fill in front of the best fans in baseball.  I know he wants to impress, and I’m sure he will eventually.

It wouldn’t be fair to not mention Kyle McClellan.  If it weren’t for his performance, I’m not sure the Cardinals win this one.  Tony La Russa hasn’t wasted any time putting the kid in the toughest situations.  I’m glad to see they have so much confidence in him.

Adam Wainwright takes the ball tomorrow, hoping to continue to build on the success of the starting rotation.  Thus far, Cardinal starters have allowed only 2 runs in 22 2/3 innings.  A win tomorrow would cement the second straight series win.

Cardinals Win First Series

The Redbirds ended the first series of the new season today with a win against the defending National League Champion Colorado Rockies.  Not counting the rain out on Monday, St. Louis outscored Colorado 12-5 in the series.  The win gives the Cards a 2-1 record heading into the second series, a three game set at home against Washington.

So the bleak outlook from a canceled opener, followed by a loss, is starting to creep to the back of the minds of Cards fans.  More good things have happened to the club than bad here in the early goings.  Let’s review:

• Rick Ankiel and Albert Pujols continue their hot hitting.
• Adam Kennedy keeps improving.
• All three rookies have made positive contributions.
• The Kyle Lohse signing still looks good.
• The Wellemeyer-Thompson-Reyes decision looks better.
• There have been a few web gems.
• The Cardinals are tied for first place in the division.

I know they’ve only played three games (plus three innings), but I still say this team could surprise some people.  Many “experts” picked the Cardinals to be near the bottom of the league.  We’ll see.

I’ve got a couple of notes from my trip to St. Louis over the weekend.  I’ll try to get some pictures up within a day or two.  Also, I went on the Busch Stadium tour for the first time, and loved it.  I highly recommend it to any baseball fan, and it’s only ten bucks.

Finally, a few links for you.  After seeing Pujols lose a home run to the rain, an old story about a similar incident returns to the forefront.  Derrick Goold has the story about Stan Musial over at Bird Land.  The Cardinals released their Minor League rosters today.  Matthew Leach has that full story.

I’ll be back to the old routine from here, starting with a preview of tomorrow’s game as soon as the line-ups are available.  Then I’ll continue to cap the games, and add my two cents, of course.  I’ve got a couple of other stories in the works too, so check back often.  It sure is nice to have meaningful baseball back.  One series down, fifty-one to go.

Cards Kill Mets

The Cardinals got off to a hot start against the Mets today in Port St. Lucie, scoring three runs in the first.  The Cards kept up the hot hitting throughout the game, scoring in five different innings, including a six run ninth.

The Cards’ bats were booming, scoring 14 runs on 21 hits.  Skip Schumaker, Brian Barton, Albert Pujols, Rick Ankiel, and Rico Washington all had multi-hit games.  Ankiel and Colby Rasmus each hit home runs, and Chris Duncan contributed with a two RBI single in the first.

I was forced to watch the Mets’ telecast, but it turned out to be not as bad as I thought it would be.  The best comment from the New York announcers:  ”If you take the joy out of Reyes’ game, there’d be no Jose Reyes.”  Isn’t that the truth.

A few other observations from today’s game:

• El Duque was not good at all.
• Aaron Miles isn’t a third baseman.
• Cesaer Izturis was very sharp with the leather today.  Very sharp.
• Ankiel’s homerun was all torso, after he double clutched.
• Barton loves the first pitch.
• Bobby Knight was dressed in red, hanging out in the Mets’ dugout.
• Kyle McClellan is ready for the major leagues.
• Todd Wellemeyer looked good.
• Colby Rasmus will be in St. Louis sooner than you think.

14-4 was the final.  For a full recap of today’s game, along with the box score, click here.

I may even have a third post for you today, so keep your pants on.  Less than eight days now until the games count.  The Redbirds may surprise some people.

Off Day Links

No game for the Redbirds today.  It’s the team’s first day off since the start of Spring Training, and they’ll only get one more, on March 30th, before hosting the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day.  Obviously, there’s not much news coming out of camp today, so I’ll point you toward some good reading elsewhere around Cardinal Country.

First, you’ll want to read a couple of stories from the St. Louis Post Dispatch.  Joe Strauss discusses the notion of Rick Ankiel batting cleanup, providing protection for slugger Albert Pujols.  Then, Derrick Goold has a nice story about Cardinal catching prospect Bryan Anderson, and his mentor, Mike Matheny.  Find it here.  Also on Bird Land, Goold crunches the numbers to defend the pitcher batting eighth in Tony La Russa’s lineup.  It’s a good read.  Here’s the link.

Then, check out the United Cardinal Bloggers’ debate on what to do with pitcher Anthony Reyes.  It’s over at Redbird Ramblings.

Next, MSN picked their top five ballparks, and Busch Stadium is one of them.

The Cards are back in action tomorrow, as they’ll head to Ft. Lauderdale to face the Orioles.  Brad Thompson will get the ball in his first career Grapefruit League start.  Get excited Cards fans!  Just thirteen days until Opening Day!

Reyes, Cards Win In Green

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  It’s days like today that I miss living in a drinking town like St. Louis.  People here in Miami don’t even know it’s a holiday.

Anyway, the Cardinals played host to the Braves for the second straight day today.  The Cards wore the traditional green jerseys and caps, but didn’t need any luck to beat Atlanta 4-2.  Anthony Reyes got the start, and pitched four solid innings, allowing no runs on three hits, and striking out two.  On offense, Rick Ankiel drove in two with a double, and Aaron Miles and Joe Mather each had an RBI as well.  For those still keeping track, shortstop Cesar Izturis committed his sixth error today, and was 0 for 2 at the plate.  Here’s the full box score.

As predicted, with another round of cuts today, the Cards sent six players back to minor league camp, including top prospect Colby Rasmus.  Joe Mather was also sent down, leaving Brendan Ryan to make the team out of camp.  The final outfield spot is technically still open, but as discussed briefly on Saturday, it will go to Rule 5 pick Brian Barton.  Matthew Leach has more on today’s cuts.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day.  I need to go find some green beer!

Ankiel Powers Cards Past Dodgers

In the Cardinals’ final visit to legendary Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, the Redbirds rode Rick Ankiel’s two home runs and four RBIs to their second straight win. Ankiel improved his batting average to .368.  The final go-ahead runs were actually scored on a wild pitch, but without the damage done by the Cardinal outfielder, the Dodgers win.

The Cardinals’ new shortstop Cesar Izturis went 1 for 3, improving his average to a whopping .125.  Looking not so Gold Glove like, he also committed his fifth error of the spring.  He now has more errors than hits.  Somehow, however, he’s still penciled in as the opening day starter, while the younger and cheaper Brendan Ryan is turning heads with his play but is still vying for a spot on the roster.  With just over two weeks until Opening Day, I’m anxious to see how this one plays out.

The final score today was 6-4 Cards.  View the full box score here.

Tomorrow should be a good one.  Adam Wainwright will take the mound for St. Louis, with Johan Santana slated to pitch for the Mets.  The game will be televised on SNY.

Finally, a couple of quick links.  If you’re apprehensive about the Cardinals’ new president, you’re not the only one.  Check out what Cardinals Diaspora has to say about it.  And the folks at Fungoes applaud GM John Mozeliak on the Lohse signing.  Find it here.

Cards Lose, Johnson Shelved

The Cardinals hoped to extend their winning streak today in a game against the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.  Although the pitching was good, the Redbirds lost 3-2.  I was at work all day, and didn’t get to see or hear the game, but I did follow along with the box score.

Todd Wellemeyer started the game, and was followed by Brad Thompson, Adam Ottavino, and Tyler Herron.  The Marlins only picked up three hits.  All three runs were unearned as Cesar Izturis and David Freese combined for three errors.  Rick Ankiel and Brendan Ryan each had a pair of hits, while leadoff hitter Colby Rasmus went 0 for 3 with a walk.

The biggest news of the day came from the bullpen, when lefty Tyler Johnson was shut down after feeling tightness in his shoulder while warming up.  He was evaluated by the team’s medical staff, and never entered the game.  Johnson is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.

“Any time you stop a guy from throwing, it’s a concern,” said head trainer Barry Weinberg.  ”Now we just want to make sure that there’s no significant issue.”

Matthew Leach has more on the story.

If Johnson has to miss considerable time, it would seem to open the door for one of the other left-handed relievers in camp, possible Randy’s brother Ron Flores or new Cardinal Ron Villone.

Tomorrow is the second “Fins and Feathers” game of the spring.  This time the Cardinals will be the home team.  Youngster Kyle McClellan will get the start in place of Joel Pineiro.