“Cubs starter Ted Lilly really pounded the strike zone in Saturday’s win; I don’t know why more pitchers don’t try to do that to the Cardinals, who lack home run power”

In regard to your above quote, this series with the Cubs may be the series that helps to expose the Cards to other clubs . It will not take long for the word to spread around the league. Other than Pujols the Cards just do not have anyone in thier lineup that scares you when meaningful game situations occur. We’ll soon see how the Cards can hang with the other clubs this month. The schedule is a bit tougher than Aprils.

“The Cubs’ terrific all-around performance in Saturday’s win showed why they’re the only team in the NL Central capable of sprinting off and running away from the others in the division …”

In regard to this quote Bernie; The Cubs lineup is scary. As a devoted Cards fan I envy them. Their starting pitching may just be tough enough to hold down other clubs while that lineup pours on the runs. As we saw yesterday, they only need one inning to put a game away. I think the Cubs are just now beginning to go into a trot. I saw the 19 runs they put up against Milwaukee. When they go into thier sprint they won’t even break a sweat. The rest of the division will compete, but only against each other as they watch the Cubs cross the finnish line way ahead of them.

“As you know, manager Tony La Russa likes to bat the pitcher eighth in the lineup. Here’s a little stat for you: so far this season the Cardinals have gotten only six fewer RBIs from the No. 8 spot than they have from the No. 4 spot in their lineup. The No. 8 hitters have combined for 12 ribbies; the cleanup hitters have only 18″.

That statement is a telling one Bernie. DAMAGE CONTROL…SEND UP THE RED FLAG…WE NEED MORE FIRE POWER ON DECK! Get MO on the line… NOW.

Great stuff Bernie!

“Molina has nabbed only three of 15 stealers. Something ain’t right. ”

For a battery to work good, it needs all the cells to be filled with water. There is nothing wrong with Molina’s cell. But the rest of the cells (Pitching staff) need to individually fill thier cells to the proper level. And by that I mean there overall game. Whatever it may be that gives Yadi a chance to show his game. Some need to work on their slow delivery to home plate. Some need to pay more attention to the runner. The other clubs are exploiting the pitching staff, not Yadi.

Somehow Berine; I know you know that. ;>)

“Albert Pujols has an onbase percentage of .518. There’s a long way to go to the end of the season. But since 1900, only six players have finished a season with an OBP higher than .500: Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantle and John McGraw.”

Bernie: GREAT STAT! How do you find this stuff so handily? As you might have guessed I really enjoyed the “CUBS-CARDS: Notes on Saturday’s Score Card.”

THANK YOU Bernie! Have a great day at the Ball Park!

Comment four hit it right on the nose. Its not so much Molina , but his pitchers that should hold responsibility for his 3 for 15. To support this just see how many times this season hes picked off runners at first base. There is nothing wrong with his arm.
Interesting that the clean up hitters have combined for only eighteen RBI’s. I don’t see Ank as a cleanup hitter. when Albert is on they need someone that is steady …..not off and on like Ank.
Can we please trade Duncan! His defense is a mess. He strikes out to often and his power has disappeared.
I really want to see Barton get some time. Do you know if he is in the line up tonight,Bernie?

Speaking of Barton……..What about this for the potential Cards out field: LF. Barton,CF. Rasmus,RF.Ankiel
Does Schumacker come off the bench? Do you trade Ludwick and please,please,please, trade Duncan.

I hope this isn’t the start of the Kyle Lohse downfall. The rotation may be starting to hurt the Cards. These guys can’t sustain their great starts……HURRY BACK MULDER!