Joe Strauss: All right, everybody up for this week's cyber-Tsunami known as Joe Strauss Live!!! Shockingly, the question list is light this week so we may be going short. For those of you seeking validation, this may be a unique chance to get your plaudits and/or queries heard. The home nine is "reeling" from a three-game losing streak and is starting to face real roster issues because of recent injuries to position players. Aside from the early bullpen chaos, this may be the club's first big test of the season. It will be interesting to watch Mitch Boggs tonight play the role of stopper. Speaking of stoppage, the ChatMeister is ready to climb aboard and ride the tide in.

CCF1: I have a friend who is a Hand Surgeon. I ask him about Wainright's finger injury of last year. He said it is very difficult for a pitcher to ever get back to normalcy again in using that finger. I am worried that has been the problem with his ineffectiveness, Oscar,Miami Lakes, Fl.

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals are playing off such concerns; however, the fact that Wainwright is averaging more than five walks per nine innings invites the connection. He walked more batters in his first five starts this season than in his first 13 in 2008. Until Tuesday, he had made the right pitch at the right time to defuse or minimize rallies. Allowing double bombs to the Phillies was both uncharacteristic and shows what happens when a pitcher slips from the high wire. Pitching coach Dave Duncan said earlier today on 101.1 FM that he believes Wainwright has fallen in love with a cut fastball. Perhaps true enough. But his commmand does not appear to be what it has been. To be continued...

Mark G.: Chatmeister,

What's wrong with Wellemeyer this year? What does Dunc have to say about getting him right? The amount of baserunners he's allowed (same with Waino) is scary.

Joe Strauss: Wellemeyer has made a series of adjustments. The first had him lower his glove during his delivery to simplify his mechanics. More recently he has concentrated on landing his front leg toward the plate rather than toward the third-base side, which caused him to throw across his body. The dangerous WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched for you "peripheral" types) is an issue and has led many spreadsheet types to question the legitimacy of the Cardinals' strong start. Barring physical issues, the ChatMeister believes Waino and Wellemeyer will "seek the mean," meaning their WHIP will normalize.

Nathan in MN: I think the start the Cardinals have had this season is a true representation of how deep the the minor league system is. I says hats off to our GM for not mortgaging the future for a 1 or 2 year window at a championship. However, my question is, with our farm system being so deep don't you think we can afford to trade a few pieces (i.e. ankiel, duncan, stavinoha, anderson, mortenson, thompson) for a strong starting pitcher who can be with ball club for years. I know we have Wainwright,Lohse,Carpenter locked up but I think only Garcia will be a ready pitcher next year. We need a little more depth there don't you think?

Joe Strauss: This space has long suggested that a system's value is better determined by what potential trade partners perceive. Since Garcia is recovering from ligament replacement surgery, Boggs and Clayton Mortensen appear the most advanced starters in the system. Projected as the "No. 6" starter coming out of camp, P.J. Walters was exposed in his first trip up. He needs to find an out pitch in the strike zone. Boggs has an effective sinker that translates at this level. Mortensen was rushed through the system last season but has found greater consistency at Memphis this year. Starting pitching often dictates the strength of a system because of its potential cost savings to the parent club and its worth in trades. The Cardinals' No. 8 ranking by Baseball America is not reflected in the collection of advanced starting pitchers. That said, I am intrigued by last year's supplemental pick Lance Lynn. Even though he made only eight pro starts last season out of Mississippi, the ChatMeister would have projected him as one of the system's top 10 talents. Apparently, I'm alone on that boat. Lynn turns 22 next week and is moving quickly... with reason.

Kylejh9: I have a question. Do you see the cardinals, especially after such a tough series with the Phillies, (which clearly showed our weaknesses) going after any of the free agents still on the market...like Sheets? or what about a package deal to get Peavy now from San Deigo...I know Peavy's numbers this year have not been what they usually are so...would that make it a "buy low" situation for the Cards?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals are who they are. There is potential for a tweak around the trade deadline... or another interim dumpster dive a la Blaine Boyer. But there is a better chance you'll be visited by the tooth fairy than to see a mega-trade for Jake Peavy. Until Ben Sheets is healthy there's no need to revisit his situation.