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.

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.

Nationals @ Cards – 4/4

Tonight is the first game of a three game series against Washington.  We’re still three hours until game time, but here’s the lineup, per Bernie Miklasz:

1. Brian Barton  LF
2. Rick Ankiel  CF
3. Albert Pujols  1B
4. Troy Glaus  3B
5. Ryan Ludwick  RF
6. Yadier Molina  C
7. Cesar Izturis  SS
8. Braden Looper  P
9. Aaron Miles  2B

The first thing I notice is that Barton gets the call over Skip Schumaker.  After a stellar spring, Skip is 0 for his first 11, but does have 3 walks.  He’s also made a couple of outstanding plays in the outfield.  Barton is a below average defensive outfielder, but is still developing.  Either way, it seems like a good time to give him some ABs.

Lefty Odalis Perez takes the mound tonight for the Nationals.  Pujols has owned him throughout his career. Check out these gaudy numbers.

Update (6:50 pm):  The Washington Nationals’ lineup is now available, per Rick Hummel:

1. Christian Guzman  SS
2. Lastings Milledge  CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman  3B
4. Nick Johnson  1B
5. Austin Kearns  RF
6. Paul Lo Duca  C
7. Ronnie Belliard  2B
8. Felipe Lopez  LF
9. Odalis Perez  P

Looks like their pitcher will be batting 9th.  Ludicrous! 

I’m Ready For Opening Day

Spring Training is over.  The team has gone north, first to play a pair of exhibition games in Springfield against their AA affiliate, then on to St. Louis to host the Rockies on Opening Day.

I love Opening Day.  I wouldn’t miss it.  My flight leaves Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow morning at 5:40.  I’ll be doing a lot of partying back in my old city over the next three days, so you won’t find a new post here until I get back home on the 1st.  Check out the blogs in my blogroll to get your Cardinals fix until then.

I love Opening Day.  I’ll be downtown to kick off the festivities at 8:30 Monday morning.  I imagine I’ll start at Al Hrabosky’s Ballpark Saloon, then make my way over to Paddy O’s, with a third stop at Mike Shannon’s Outfield before heading into Baseball Heaven.  For anyone that’s down in the area, feel free to drop me an email if you’d like to say hi over a beer.

I love Opening Day.  I can’t wait to see the player introductions, as they’re driven around the warning track, especially the new guys like Brian Barton and Kyle McClellan.  I can’t wait to see the Hall of Famers like Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, and Stan Musial.  I can’t wait to see the Budweiser Clydesdales trotting along to Ernie Hays playing “Here Comes the King” on the organ.  It’s time for the games to count.

I love Opening Day.

Good and Bad News for the Cards

The Cardinals beat the Orioles today 8-2, extending their winning streak to six games, and remain unbeaten in their last nine.  Adam Wainwright got the win, giving up one earned run on four hits, while striking out four in six innings.  He joins Anthony Reyes as the only other Cardinal pitcher to go six innings this spring. View the complete box score, along with a recap, here.

It looks like the roster has finally taken shape.  Today the Cards reassigned pitchers Chris Perez, Cliff Politte, and Hugo Castellanos to minor league camp, while Kyle McClellan and outfielder Brian Barton have been told they’ll make the club, barring some unforeseen trade or injury.  Matthew Leach has more.  And surprisingly, Anthony Reyes will also stay with the big club, and take the final spot in the bullpen.  Joe Strauss reported the news this morning.

Perhaps the biggest news of the day, however, is about the Ballpark Village project.  The Centene Corporation released a statement today confirming the reports that they are backing out of the deal.  It’s uncertain now, when construction of the project will actually begin.  Here’s the full story.

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.

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!

Wainwright Continues to Baffle Mets

Flashback:  It’s 2006, and the Cardinals and Mets are tight in an NLCS game 7.  Winner goes to the World Series.  Cards’ rookie pitcher Adam Wainwright is in a jam, with the bases loaded and two out with the dangerous Carlos Beltran at the plate.  Beltran is known to be a Cardinal killer from his days with Houston.  I’m at the edge of my seat, my heart is racing, and I’m too nervous to even lift my beer to my face.  Even with Beltran down 0-2, I’m fearful of what might happen on the next pitch.  It’s a knee-buckling curve ball, called strike three!  Cards win!

Okay.  So today’s game wasn’t quite as dramatic, but when Wainwright is on the mound against the Mets, you just can’t help but think of that moment. Adam was just as impressive, however, pitching five innings of two hit baseball.  He struck out three and allowed one earned run on a homer to Raul Casanova.  He also singled off of arguably the best pitcher in the league, Johan Santana.  Wainwright relishes the challenge of pitching against tough competition.

“I love that,” Wainwright said.  ”I wish I could pitch against No. 1s every day.  I feel like I’m going to beat ‘em sometimes, and they’re going to pitch great games sometimes.  But I thrive on it.  I love it.”

Matthew Leach has more on Wainwright, here.

The Cardinal’s bats were live today too.  The Birds pushed across 10 runs on 13 hits, including a triple by outfielder Brian Barton.  10-3 was the final.  Here’s the full recap.

The Juan Gonzalez experiment is just about Gone.  He’s been sidelined with an abdominal injury, and underwent an MRI yesterday.  He hasn’t appeared in a game since Monday.  Read the full story here. Meanwhile, his competition continues to impress.  Barton is now batting .350 with 3 triples and 2 home runs.  His 8 RBIs ties Albert Pujols for the team lead.  If he keeps this up there’s no way he doesn’t head north with the club.

Marlins @ Cardinals 3/2

Update ( 3:55 ) :  Aside from the fourth inning from Blake Hawsworth, the St. Louis pitching was pretty good. Hawksworth gave up five runs on five hits in just the one inning of work.  McClellan was the most impressive pitcher of the day.  The Cardinals bats chipped away at the lead, but ultimately came up short.  The at-bat that stands out in my mind was the bases loaded, no out, double play grounder off the bat of Juan Gonzalez. The three batters before Juan walked.  Rule 5 pick Brian Barton hasn’t done anything to impress me either, but continues to get a longer look than some because he may have to be shipped back to Cleveland if he doesn’t break camp with the big club.  Here’s a link to the official box score.

Tomorrow, the Cardinals play an away game against the Washington Nationals.  I’d like to know what people thought of today’s format, so as always, comments are welcome.

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Update ( 3:40 ) :  Cardinals’ pitching prospect Chris Perez was in to pitch the ninth.  He got the first two batters on a fly out and ground out, walked the third, and got the third out on a fly ball to center.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Marlins brought in Doug Waechter to close it out.  The Cards went down in order, including a pop out by Colby Rasmus for the first out.  The Marlins won 5-4.  The Birds are now 2-2 in Grapefruit play, and 3-2 overall.

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Update ( 3:25 ) :  Jimenez stayed in the game to pitch the eighth.  He made quick work of the Marlins, getting two fly ball outs and one ground out to David Freese at third.

The Cardinals also went down quickly.  After a Mather strikeout, both Josh Phelps and Freese flew out in foul territory.  The pitcher was Renyel Pinto.

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Update ( 3:14 ) :  Kelvin Jimenez pitched the seventh.  He unconventionally got two outs on two pitches, allowing a first pitch single, but getting the double play on the very next pitch.  The third out was a long fly ball to center field.

Jesus Delgado was the seventh inning pitcher for Florida.  He struck out Molina, but then gave up a triple to Izturis.  Miles brought the run in with a ground ball to the right side.  Another ground out by Barton ended the inning with the Cardinals still trailing 5-4.

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Update ( 3:00 ) :  Randy Flores came into the sixth throwing strikes.  He got Carroll to fly out on the first pitch, and then struck out Rabelo.  After a walk to Treanor, De Aza grounded out to end it.

Taylor Tankersly was the third left-handed pitcher for the Marlins.  He started by walking the bases loaded. Gonzalez grounded into a double play, while Mather scored from third.  Ludwick was called out on strikes, leaving a runner stranded in scoring position.

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Update ( 2:32 ) :  Veteran Russ Springer came in to pitch the fifth.  After Uggla grounded out to third, Cantu doubled off the glove of the diving Barton.  Willingham grounded back to the mound for the second out, and Bozied popped out to Pujols.

The Cards went down in order easily in the bottom of the inning.  Izturis and Miles both grounded out, and Barton struck out to remain hitless in Grapefruit League play this spring.

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Update ( 2:17 ) :  Blake Hawksworth entered the game to start the fourth.  He got Ramirez to fly out to left, but trouble started when Uggla doubled down the left field line for his second double of the afternoon. Cantu chopped a ball softly to third, for an infield hit to put runners at the corners.  Willingham drew the first walk of the game to load the bases with one out.  Back-to-back walks earned Bozied an RBI, and gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead.  After three more RBI hits and couple of strikeouts, the bleeding finally stopped. Marlins went up 5-0 on a very lengthy inning from Hawksworth.

Aaron Thompson, also a lefty, began the bottom of the fourth.  Mather started the Cards’ half with a double, and advanced to third on a single by Pulols.  Both runners scored on an RBI double, over the head of Willingham, off the bat of Troy Glaus.  Gonzalez grounded out to short, followed by a strike out by Ludwick, and a short fly out to left by Molina.  After four, it was a 5-2 Fish lead.

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Update ( 1:41 ) :  The Marlins went down quickly in the third.  Mike Rabelo flew out to right, Matt Treanor struck out looking, and Alejandro De Aza grounded out to first, 3-1.

Olsen retired all three batters he faced in the bottom half.  Izturis hit the ball hard, but right at Uggla at second.  Miles, hitting from the right side, lined out to left, and Barton grounded out to third for the second time today.

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Update ( 1:30 ) :  After an action packed first inning, McClellan settled in, striking out both Josh Willingham and former Cardinal Tagg Bozied, and got Brett Carroll to fly out deep to left.

Three up and three down in the bottom of the second.  Gonzalez, Ludwick, and Molina all grounded out to short.

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Update ( 1:18 ) :  McClellan got plenty of help from his defense in the top of the first.  After Hanley Ramirez singled up the middle, Dan Uggla doubled to right.  Ramirez was out at the plate on a relay throw from Albert Pujols.  Jorge Cantu lined into a double play to end the threat.

In the bottom half, Pujols doubled down the line, and both Mather and Glaus were called out on strikes.

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In a rematch from yesterday, the Cardinals hope to even the spring series against the Marlins.  I’ll be updating today’s post frequently, with all the news and highlights from the game, so check back often. We’re about an hour away from the first pitch.  The Cards face lefty Scott Olsen to start, so Tony La Russa will counter with an all right-handed lineup.

1. Brian Barton  CF
2. Joe Mather  LF
3. Albert Pujols  1B
4. Troy Glaus  3B
5. Juan Gonzalez  DH
6. Ryan Ludwick  RF
7. Yadier Molina  C
8. Cesar Izturis  SS
9. Aaron Miles  2B

Kyle McClellan gets the start for the Redbirds.  Derrick Goold has more notes from the ballpark here.  

Cards Starting Strong

The Cardinals won their third straight game of the spring today with a 5-4 victory over the Mets on the road. Three in a row is what we call a winning streak.

There was a lot of hype going into this game.  It was the Mets’ debut of their new ace Johan Santana.  The Cards got to him early, tagging him for three runs in the first, courtesy of a Juan Gonzalez home run.  Other highlights from today’s action include a double and a homer from Albert Pujols, and a 2 for 3 day from Brendan Ryan.  Derrick Goold has more notes from the game.  Here’s the box score.

So far, Gonzalez has been hitting the ball well.  At first, I was secretly rooting against him, and hated the idea of a 38 year old has-been taking at-bats away from the younger players.  Erik at Future Redbirds shares my sentiment.  All things being equal, you’d have to give the nod to the younger player, maybe a guy like Brian Barton.  I’m afraid that Tony La Russa will see it differently.  We know how much he loves his veterans. Anyway, after thinking it over a bit more, I just want the 25 guys that give the Cardinals the best chance to win.  If Juan Gone is one of them, then I’m all for it.

Brendan Ryan continues to make his case for one of the roster spots.  One of his two hits today was triple. There were a couple of interesting stories on Ryan floating around recently.  Joe Strauss revealed some more of Ryan’s personality, as well as his attention deficit disorder, in his article last Friday.  The other story was news to me.  Apparently, Ryan was kicked off his college baseball team four times.  Jim Masilak had the story way back in July of last year.  I don’t know how I missed that one, but either way, hat tip to Ronnie Dobbs, a frequenter of the forums in the Post Dispatch.

Finally, Matthew Leach of MLB.com shares his latest interview with La Russa.  Find it here.

The Cardinals hope to continue their winning ways tomorrow when they face the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.  The Cards will be the visiting team.  Let’s hope the streak continues.