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The Mets travel to St. Louis, the "Gateway to the West," for a three game set against the Cardinals. So far in 2009, the Cards have played fairly decent ball, with an current record of 8-5, percentage points behind the Cubs (7-4) in the standings.
Some of us, who have trouble letting go, hear St. Louis and think of 2006, of Yadier Fucking Molina, of Adam Wainwright dropping that curve on Carlos Beltran, and we taste bile and spit it out and try to move on. Others not so much.
To the more chemically balanced folks out there, the Cards were just another mediocre NL team last year, as we were, finishing 2008 with a record of 86-76 (good for 4th in NL Central). Los Mets went 4-3 against them in 2008, splitting a 4 game home series with them in June/July and taking 2 of 3 in St Louis later in July.
Pitching matchups:
Tues 8:15 EST Oliver Perez vs Todd Wellemeyer (1-1, 4.50). Wellemeyer was a surprise success in 2008 with a record of 13-9 after having never won more than 3 games in any of his previous seasons in the bigs (2003-2007). The Mets knocked him around in a 7-4 victory last summer in his only appearance against New York.
Wed 8:15 EST John Maine vs. Joel Piniero (2-0, 5.40). Piniero is a classic "journeyman," having been in the pros since 2000 and actually winning 30 games for Seattle over the 2002-2003 seasons. Mostly kicked around for the better part of 2004-2007, he found success in St. Louis as many a retread has done under the tutelage of pitching coach Dave Duncan. He beat the Mets twice last year, even though he was hit fairly well in both starts.
Thurs 1:40 EST Livan Hernandez vs. Kyle Lohse (2-0, 2.57). Yet another guy who kicked around the Junior Circuit, also having moderate success there. Lohse won 27 games over 2002-2003 with Minnesota and then basically sucked ass until Dave Duncan picked him off the scrap pile and turned him into a 15 game winner last year. In fact his Baseball Reference #3 comparable through age 29 is none other than Joel Piniero. Lohse went 1-1 against the Mets last year, having one excellent game (7 IP, 0 ER) and one lousy one (4 IP, 7 ER).
Current Starters:
C Yadier Molina -- 2009 stats - .310/1 HR/10 RBIs. I really can't talk about this a-hole. I believe he likes to eat babies.
1B Albert Pujols .298/4/14. Mr. Poo Holes doing his normal damage.
2B Skip Schumaker .268/0/4 - Tony LaRussa is attempting to convert Schumaker from the outfield to the infield. Results not yet really there. Also seeing time and hitting better at 2B is Joe Thurston .345/0/6
SS Khalil Greene .234/2/6 -- Former Padre, name possibly spelled by retarded hippie parents. Word is that his middle name, "Thabit," is old English for "Sunbow." Or "Asshat."
3B Brian Barden .409/3/4 -- Rookie. Knocking the ball around thus far.
LF Ryan Ludwick .405/5/15 -- Breakout 2008 hitter picking up right where he left off. And yet LaRussa sits him regularly to put uber-scrubs in the game such as ...
CF Rick Ankiel .179/0/2 -- Not getting his HGH anymore so he's starting slow. I continue to think of him as the 2000 pitcher whipping balls over the umpire's head in the playoffs (4 IP, 9 WP in two games against the Braves and Mets). It gives me happy to think of it. Plus he looks like a Disney woodchuck.
RF Chris Duncan .381/2/11 -- Brother of high fiving MFY jackass Shelley Duncan and son of the pitching coach. Ironically, a curse that I use all of the time when I stub my toe is "Son of a Pitching Coach!"
Bench players of note include hyped rookie OF Colby Rasmus.
Closer: Revolving door so far. Chris Perez, Ryan Franklin and Jason Motts all taking turns at the spot.
Injuries: Chris Carpenter out 4-8 weeks with an oblique injury after a good start. This guy is as durable as a wet tissue.
Ex Met Cards - none
Ex Card Mets - Tatis
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