What’s been the most encouraging thing during this current Cardinal winning streak is that they keep winning in different ways. \u00c2\u00a0The first couple of games, they slugged. \u00c2\u00a0They’ve had good pitching performances. \u00c2\u00a0They’ve had comebacks. \u00c2\u00a0They’ve beaten pitchers that normally give them fits.<\/p>\n
Everything save the comebacks\u00c2\u00a0came into play last night<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0OK, they didn’t really beat Jaime Moyer, as he left early with an elbow strain, but they won the game that he started, so that’s something. \u00c2\u00a0Even if Moyer had stayed in, though, I think the way that\u00c2\u00a0Chris Carpenter<\/strong> was dealing last night, St. Louis would have won the game anyway.<\/p>\n Carpenter has seemed to figure out his delivery problems and is looking more like his 2009 self. \u00c2\u00a0These two games after the All-Star Break are the first time he’s put back-to-back solid starts together since he had a three game run from May 28 to June 8. \u00c2\u00a0He’s been more\u00c2\u00a0efficient with his pitches as well, which is another reason to think things are improving.<\/p>\n Obviously Carp was the story last night, but you have to give some attention to what\u00c2\u00a0Randy Winn is doing<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0His second home run in as many nights has to make the decisions a little tougher for when Ryan Ludwick returns. \u00c2\u00a0As much grief and outrage there was at Winn’s signing (and I was part of it, I admit), he’s turned into a pretty solid bench option. \u00c2\u00a0I think I’d rather him than Nick Stavinoha on a regular basis. \u00c2\u00a0If Ludwick does return this weekend, though, what happens? \u00c2\u00a0Does\u00c2\u00a0Allen Craig<\/strong>, who gets last night’s Goat since he was the only starter not to get a hit, get sent down since he still has options? \u00c2\u00a0I’m guessing that’s the case, assuming John Mozeliak doesn’t make a trade between now and then.<\/p>\n If Mo is going to make a trade, who is it going to be for and who is it going to be with? \u00c2\u00a0According to the\u00c2\u00a0Post-Dispatch<\/em>, scouts from Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Florida and Anaheim were at the game last night. \u00c2\u00a0I’d guess the Cards were interested in Kevin Millwood or Jeremy Guthrie from Baltimore and\u00c2\u00a0there’s talk that they still are considering Dan Haren<\/a>, which would explain Arizona, but the others?<\/p>\n Tampa Bay does seem to have some pitching to spare, with their top prospect ready to go, and if they were in the mood to move Wade Davis, I think the Cardinals would jump on it due to his low salary and the length of time they’d have him under control. \u00c2\u00a0That said, it’s more likely that TB is trying to move Matt Garza. \u00c2\u00a0Garza’s a fly-ball pitcher already making $3.5 million and in line for arbitration. \u00c2\u00a0That might not be exactly the best fit for the Redbirds.<\/p>\n The interest in Florida is likely Dan Uggla. \u00c2\u00a0Uggla’s having a solid offensive year and would obviously be an upgrade from Skip Schumaker in that regard. \u00c2\u00a0However, his defense is as bad as it has always been and, with a ground ball staff, is that the kind of trade-off that you want to make? \u00c2\u00a0With Skip’s improvement recently, I think I’d be inclined to let him pass, especially at almost $8 million and, I believe, one more year of arbitration eligibility.<\/p>\n Not really sure who the Angels have that the Cards would be interested in. \u00c2\u00a0Maybe they think they can get something out of Brandon Wood? \u00c2\u00a0I know he started as a shortstop, though I don’t think he has the range to play there now. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t see LAA moving any of their pitchers, so maybe that was something that LAA would be initiating or just doing some research.<\/p>\n