The famaliar ring of naysayers across Cardinal Nation is back. And to no surprise. I've said many a time that Cardinal Nation can often be seen as a bandwagon tribe, drinking Budweiser and sporting Molina jerseys when we're winning, but also bitching and moaning when the team is down. There's no difference this season. The birds got off to a terrible start, dead bats and sour pitching included. They dropped to nearly ten games back from a lackluster and young Brewers squad, sending many Cardinal "faithful" squaking for LaRussa's badge, crying for the deal of the century from humble Walt Jocketty, and questioning whether all the hype around Reyes, Wainwright, and Duncan was called for.
To no surprise. And truthfully, you can't be expected to always be on the team's back and never question moves or ideas from the coaching staff and front office. This is part of being a fan. It's our job to study the game, and suggest different approaches. It's healthy to talk about deadline deals involving the dishing of young talent. All that's great.
But another thing to remember is that the Cardinals are only 5.5 games out BEFORE the All-Star break. And if you're noticed a recent trend across baseball the last couple of years: pre-All Star break records mean little. The last few years many teams have charged late in the season to either make or seriously take a run at the playoff bubble. Don't expect anything different this season.
There's been mention on the response board that the Cardinals are going to wear down, tire out, and fail to make the run. But don't be so sure. We've had to default to a number of young and inexperienced pitchers to fill the roles of starter and reliever. And it's true...a young bullpen has the tendency to tire down. And pitchers like Looper and Thompson, who've spent the majority of the recent seasons in the bullpen, aren't used to throwing so many innings over the course of the season. But the Brewers are a young team as well and they lack the one thing the Cardinals don't...leadership.
I wouldn't worry too much about the Cubs. Because they're the Cubs. And forget about the Reds, Astros, and Pirates. The Astros are rebuilding and the Reds and Pirates are still at least a year or two off from making a serious run in the central. That leaves the Birds and the Brews. And when it comes to proven clubhouse leaders the Cardinals have the upper hand. And this leadership will come into play as the season drags on. Guys like Pujols, Carpenter, Rolen, Edmonds, Eckstein, and Isringhausen and the experience and leadership they bring will be the difference in the division.
Cards by 3.
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David,
Just a few points, one I'm one of those unfortunate Royals fans still out there, and I agree with the bitching and moaning I've heard about the Cards the past few years for the first 3/4 of the season about pitching. The main difference I see this year is depth of the pitching. There are no inning eaters out there, effective or not. Suppan gave you 180+ every year and 6+ innings every start. While Marquis was not on many Cards favorites list to say the least he still gave around 200 innings every year and averaged over 6 a start. Matt Morris who many felt the same about was almost a gurantee for 200 a year and a solid 4.00-4.50 ERA. Maybe Wellemeyer can fill one of those rolls but I doubt it, he's always had control issues that have prevented him from going deep into games. Looper is the only guy giving the bullpen a little relief, but the next month or so will show how well he can adapt long term as a starter as he surpasses the 80 or so inning mark he's thrown the past 7 or so years. I hope the cards do well but my main concern this year has been there is currently not that inning eater vetran behind Carpenter that will keep the bullpen fresh from August to September. I hope Mulder and Carp come back full strength but you never know with arm issues, that's for sure.
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