boR: Gordo,

Why did the Blues feel the need to lock up the 6th seed the last game of the reg. season? They played well against SJ and it would be them taking it to the Sharks as opposed to the Ducks. Now the Blues are now stuck getting run over by the Vancouver freight train.

Jeff Gordon: San Jose, despite its struggle with Anaheim, is loaded too. The Blues have had every chance in this series. How do they not win Game 3 with two prolonged 5 on 3s? Vancouver is very good, but not on a different planet.

Brian: Will Rick Ankiel come out of his slump? Every pitcher knows how to beat him and that is to pitch inside. He never makes any adjustment. Why aren't the coaches helping him overcome this? He is either going to strike out, shallow pop up or a weak grounder.

Jeff Gordon: Obviously Rick tries to make adjustments daily. He looks at tape and tries to adapt in the cage. Complicating matters is the outfield crowd -- since it's harder to play you way out of a slump with other guys getting ABs.

Tackleberry: A lot of things left me scratching my head after Saturday's game (why neither Thurston or Rasmus attempted a bunt in the top of the 8th or why Duncan is running the bases in the 10th),but nothing more so than LaRussa batting Ankiel in the 11th inning. Ankiel hadn't showed anything all day that would have inspired an ounce of confidence that he would deliver, yet Tony ran him up there to round out an 0 for 6 day. Why? If the answer is "because there was no one left" than I want to know if there is a scenario where Schumacher ever shifts back to the outfield late in a game if say Ryan hits for the pitcher and an 0 for 5 Ankiel can sit?

Jeff Gordon: A lot of guys had a chance to decide that game before Ankiel's last AB. History tells he is a pretty dangerous power hitter when he locks in.

I would have bunted with Thurston, for sure. He has a chance to get on base while sacrficing -- he's that quick.

In that scenario I don't lift Duncan for a runner since the game was a slugfest. The ball was flying. In other scenarios, Duncan has been lifted and it has paid off.

gnykin2: Any action on the Cardinals making a move to get another starter? Reliever?

Also, is the passivity the Cardinals have shown over the last 1.5 years more of an indicator of Lunhow/Mo's approach or Dewitt's unwillingness to add on outside salary (obviously there are exceptions like Greene)

Jeff Gordon: There are lots of new faces, mostly from inside the organization. And, yes, that is the plan. That will be the plan this year and for years to come.

But . . . the team will have to make moves, due to the building surplus. So, sure, dealing for pitching help is a possibility should it become obvious that there is need.

Reyes was a good get (despite the other day). When there was an obvious team need, Mozeliak spent money to fill it. That could happen again.

Jayman: OK Gordo its over for the Blues. Now what do they need to do in the off season...who do they let go ...who do they sign as free agent. What do they need to do and what would you do...

Jeff Gordon: When you add E. Johnson, Brewer, Pietrangelo and Kariya to the mix, there isn't much room for free agents. Add Eller and Palushaj to the depth as well. Other than adding another strong goaltender, I didn't see a whole lot to do.

If somebody takes McKee's salary, great, that would create some flexbility to do something. If the team moved Kariya, maybe it could add some younger beef up front. But when you factor the return of the injured guys and the growth potential of Berglund, Oshie and Perron into next year's progression, that is pretty exciting.