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*the labour series*
right, this is a meeting of two teams who've been heading in opposite directions, St Louis have won 7 of their last 10, while our favourite squadron has been losing 7 of our last 10. Last time over we had the first of our *bad* runs getting swept out of Missouri with our tail firmly between our legs conceding 23 runs in 3 games.
However, that was a 3 game series and for reasons best known to someone other then me, we get to play them 4 times in CitiField. So hey, return the favour in the sweep and we win the season series. Not only that, but with my lovely wife due to have a baby tomorrow, there's a good chance that i'll see NONE of 'em or ALL of 'em depending on how things go! One way or the other, I'll promise there won't be any Alberts, Chrises, Colbys or Yadiers being named in the Stokes/Hughes household. There won't be any Johan, David, Carloses or Joses either but sure hey.
One thing that you notice is that despite the relative gap in wins, both teams resonate as comparable in more ways then one - in fact the biggest difference right now might just be in the schedules.
There's only one hitter on the Cardinals, but that one's been enough all year long, as Albert Pujols has continued to demolish pitching league wide on a level that's just scary. With an OPS of over 1100, it's a wonder why anyone's still pitching to the big lug, but they are, and they're seeing them fly over their heads with regularity - Pujols has hit an MLB leading 26 dingers. Lets face it, simply don't bother going near him when there's people aboard.
The rest of the lineup is frankly underwhelming, with only Colby Rasmus and a powered up Yadier Molina doing anything with the bat worth taling about. If we end up getting beaten by rbi's from the likes of Chris Duncan we should hang our heads in shame, shame I tell you. Of course the problem is with Beltran's absence we're a bit like the Cards ourselves, with only one real hitter, he does everything that Albert does, everything except hit homeruns. The difference in this series is which teams pitching proves hittable by league average or below hitters.
Pitching wise the starting rotation's been pretty all over the shop - a bit like The Mets minus Santana, but the returning Chris Carpenter's returned with aplomb after 2 years more or loss lost to injuries - a return that has him matching Santana in effectiveness while he's been on the mound - we'll get to see which one's the 'real ace' in the marquee match up on Thursday lunchtime. Or at least you will.
However, that match up is the only pitching highlight of a schedule which exposes both teams patchwork like make up.
Monday sees Todd Wellemeyer (6-6, 5.36) take on Tim Redding
Wellemeyer seemed likely to move permanently into a rotation spot having excelled last season in his first full-time starting assignment - only to find this season he's reverted to his more hittable self. With Redding similarly flathulach with the hits and runs, this is one that could see a lot of happy mediocre hitters try and get themselves out of a funk. Hell, maybe it might see a young rookie crank his first home run.
Tuesday sees Joel Pineiro (5-8, 3.76) take on Livian Hernandez
This time you're seeing the battle of the resurgent righties, neither the Mets or the Cards had the right to expect this level of production from these veterans. There numbers are eerily similar, both are striking out around 4.5 per 9 ip, both are getting hit to a .290 ish average. Both look like guys who could get a hell of a lot worse in a hurry. Against the squishy lineups they both should pull through.
Wednesday then sees Brad Thompson (2-2, 3.89) take on Fernando Nieve, two guys born in 1982 who've both struggled to establish themselves in the majors who've emerged at least a little in the last few starts. Both have extensive bullpen experience and are definitely candidates to get sent to the 'pen if their injured/ineffective senior starters come back. Scarily for both sides, it's not clear whether this is a genuine corner turned or 30 odd effective innings strung together.
Bullpen wise the teams again are very similarly matched, both have what's been a lights out closer. Ryan Franklin however, is a lot less formidable then Rodriguez when you look behind the numbers, he's only striking about 6 per 9, however, unlike Frankie Knuckles who seems to be permanently in danger of walking the park, he's made the hitters work, giving up only a little bit more one walk per 9 - in contrast to our boys 5!!! I'll say it again, I've know problem with 4 more walks this week to Pujols, but if Rodriguez is giving free passes to the likes of Ludwick & Greene we're in BIG trouble.
Again, like the mets (honourable exception Feliciano noted) the rest of the bullpens been ok rather then anything more, Chris Perez, strikes out a ton, but walks even more then K-Rod (sorry running out of other things to call him). However the most entertaining thing that we could do, is have someone drop down a bunt to big fat Dennys Reyes and see if treats it like a cheese sandwich (gobbles it up) or like a hot potato.
ok that's as much as i'm getting done. No contractions yet & I ain't talking about Minnesota & Montreal.
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