This close.\u00c2\u00a0 This close to a 7-0 home stand.\u00c2\u00a0 While it’s not good to be greedy, it’s a little disappointing to be so close and not get there.\u00c2\u00a0 Still, 5-2 against the Dodgers and Astros is pretty solid.\u00c2\u00a0 Let’s take a look at the last few games:<\/p>\n
Thursday<\/a> (Dodgers 5, Cardinals 3 in 10)<\/u> Friday<\/a> (Cardinals 4, Astros 3)<\/u> Saturday<\/a> (Cardinals 3, Astros 1)<\/u> Sunday<\/a> (Astros 2, Cardinals 0)<\/u> As we are seeing, good pitching can help the Cardinals do a lot, but they’ve got to have some offense backing them up<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 While we all thought things were hunky-dory from the Holliday acquisition through the middle of last week, the Cards have now only scored 13 runs in their last five games, two of which went to extra innings.\u00c2\u00a0 While they are 3-2 in that span, you don’t want to count on the pitching continuing to hold up.<\/p>\n You like to think with a day off today Pujols could get on track and make this offense more like what was expected.\u00c2\u00a0 Not to cast aspersions on the trade–obviously Holliday has been worth the price so far–but you can only ride the arms so far.<\/p>\n
\nHero: Rick Ankiel<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Matt Holliday had a good game as well, but Ankiel’s home run tied the game late and gave the Cards a chance to win.\u00c2\u00a0 They didn’t capitalize, but it still counts.
\nGoat: Dennys Reyes<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Todd Wellemeyer might have given up the final hit that drove in the runs, but Reyes left him in a terrible situation.\u00c2\u00a0 Reyes came in with one out and no one on and allowed a hit, a walk and a wild pitch.\u00c2\u00a0 While Wellemeyer only needed to get one guy out, runners on second and third don’t help things any.
\nNotes: That potent offense the Cardinals were flashing slipped back into obscurity, something that carried through the rest of the weekend.<\/p>\n
\nHero: Matt Holliday<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Four for four, two RBI (including one that tied the game) and scored the go-ahead run.\u00c2\u00a0 Pretty good night at the ballpark.
\nGoat: Ryan Ludwick<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 No hits in three at-bats, plus he left four on base.
\nNotes: Another hitless night for Albert Pujols…Nice to see Mark DeRosa with another home run.\u00c2\u00a0 Makes that whole Jess Todd thing a little easier to swallow…A tolerable outing for Mitchell Boggs, but he’s got to have better control.\u00c2\u00a0 Five walks is just asking for trouble.<\/p>\n
\nHero: What a toss-up.\u00c2\u00a0 I mean, Matt Holliday goes yard twice in a game the Cards only score three runs.\u00c2\u00a0 However, Chris Carpenter <\/strong>was on the mound, and when Carpenter is on the mound, it’s hard for him not to get the tag.\u00c2\u00a0 The tiebreaker had to be the double that Carp hit, then seeing him score on a sac fly to break the 1-1 tie.\u00c2\u00a0 All-around game from the ace.
\nGoat: Albert Pujols<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Both he and Skip Schumaker were 0-4 and Skip even left more men on base, but it’s Albert. He’s held to a higher standard and, at the moment, he’s not reaching it.
\nNotes: Have I mentioned how fun it is to have Carp and Adam Wainwright going back to back?\u00c2\u00a0 Toss in Joel Pineiro, who is pitching well also, and you only have to worry about the pitching maybe twice in the rotation.\u00c2\u00a0 With Kyle Lohse still trying to figure out what kind of pitcher he is and the off-days allowing for a four man rotation for much of August, it’s going to be a good month.<\/p>\n
\nHero: Adam Wainwright<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 If the offense had been able to do anything, Waino would have been the first 13 game winner in the NL.\u00c2\u00a0 Did you realize he was tied for the league lead in that category?\u00c2\u00a0 I didn’t.\u00c2\u00a0 If the Cards win the division, Wainwright and Carp are both going to get Cy Young votes.
\nGoat: Albert Pujols<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Another o-fer, plus you know he’s slumping when he misses a pitch he usually takes out of the ballpark<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 He’ll get turned around, of course, but hopefully sooner rather than later.
\nNotes: Another unknown pitcher, another shutdown performance.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s the downside to being as prepared with video and other means….Cards stay in first by a half-game thanks to the Cub bullpen.\u00c2\u00a0 You think they may have some issues out there?\u00c2\u00a0 The last couple of days were rough for them, at least.<\/p>\n