Joe Strauss: All right Everybody Up!!! for another free-wheeling, goofy-footing session of Joe Strauss Live!!! Judging by the volume of questions awaiting the ChatMeister five minutes before post time, this week's chat tsunami may possible shut down the Internet. The Cardinals are 8-0-1 in their last nine series, the runaway leaders for the wild card and breathing a sigh of relief that Chris Carpenter will not require additional surgery and that Yadier Molina may be available by the time the locals reach Fenway Park Friday night. Since JSL!!! is expected to generate a 8.8 on this week's cyber-Richter scale, let's get moving before the big waves crash. Let's Get It On!!!

Dave Cobler: Hi Joe;
Although this Cardinal team is hanging in there with the Cubbies, the remaining schedule heading into the Allstar break looks to be really tough. Have you seen enough of this Cardinal team to date to believe this first half of the season not to be a fluke? Do you think they have the team makeup to take the turn for the second half lap and finish with the club that is in that Cardinal dugout right now?

Joe; No doubt some of my questions and comments do not warrant an answer...and I really enjoy reading those that make your post. All in all, it just tells me you are a man of integrity to your clock that makes you tick. As a regular poster on your show, I just wanted you to know I respect that. Thank you always for your considerations.

Joe Strauss: Dave, as a regular ChatHead, your questions are always insightful and posed with the proper reverance. Those of you hoping to hit the board take note. My first impression starts to form after 40 games and usually firms around July 4. That said, many of us had a different vibe about the 2006 team after 40 games than near the All-Star break, when it took a sweep of the Astros to re-inflate the Cards' lead. I think it's safe to say this team has bought into TLR's play-for-now philosophy. There's very little jake in this bunch. How else to explain its 8-2 series record after losing the opening game. At some point, injuries will create more pressure. This rotation will be stressed by Adam Wainwright's extended absence and Carpenter's setback. The recent struggles of Randy Flores and Ron Villone are to be watched. But this is a team that rarely gives away at-bats, rarely gives up on games and is much better fundamentally than last season. I picked this bunch to finish fourth during spring training. The ChatMeister would be insincere if he said he wasn't impressed by what's going on. Bottom Line: This team needs to keep its core of position players healthy. Albert Pujols will be back on time. In the meantime, the Cardinals can't tolerate another major hit.

tc22: O Wizard of Chat,

With the Colby Rasmus train due to depart from Memphis to St. Louis some time this season, which Cardinal outfielders will likely board the next train out? Obviously Ludwick and Ankiel will remain. I really like Skip Schumaker and the strides he's made this season. He could develop into an excellent lead off hitter. His defense, especially his arm, looks very promising despite some recent errors in judgment in the outfield. However, with Rasmus here, that leaves Duncan, Barton, and a promising prospect in Memphis by the name of Joe Mather in limbo. Considering that the Cardinals will only carry five outfielders that leaves two of the aforementioned players on the outside. Each of which show promise at the major league level! In your omniscient opinion, who will depart and how? Thanks, Joe!

Joe Strauss: I assume you're looking past this year.
If so, much depends on how the club views Chris Duncan. If he remains on board, it may be tough to retain Schumaker. I would assume Brian Barton will be projected at Triple-A next season, when the club will have the ability to move him off the 25-man roster. Ludwick and Ankiel are locks, one would assume. Rasmus will have to play his way onto the team next spring and that might be complicated by some recent Internet intrigue surrounding his struggles. We'll see. Mather could be projected as a backup 1B and fifth outfielder. Again, it's hard to project him and Duncan on the same team. Like you, I've been impressed by Schumaker. With Duncan approaching arbitration, it's fair to say the club will have to decide how he fits before December's winter meetings.

Nathan: I've heard a lot of chatter lately about whether the Cards' W-L record reflects that they are a very good team, or reflects that they have had a soft schedule. As of today (June 16), they're 42-29 overall, and I figure they're 10-8 against teams w/ a winning record (including Milwaukee, Chicago, Tampa Bay, and Philedelphia). To me these numbers show that they're a good team that has benefitted from a relatively soft schedule. I think this team can win 90 games (just 48-42 the rest of the way), which should be more than enough for the NL wild card. Your thoughts, oh wise one?

Joe Strauss: It ain't football, Nate. Before this season many would have included the Cardinals among the softies. Now that they've beaten Tampa, Philadelphia and gone 4-2 on a West Coast trip that impression no longer implies. The NL East appears down. The West has become a farce. You don't hear anyone rushing to anoint the Diamondbacks as baseball's best team anymore, do you? It's possible that the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers may be perceived as three of the league's top five teams at season's end. That doesn't sound like a soft schedule to me. My magic number for the wild card is "88." As I write this, that means 46-44 gets it done.

tim: I hate to diss a player, but, Chris Duncan has no business in the NL as an everyday player. Sunday, his arm almost killed us...literally and figuratively...he turned a ground ball double play into a force out...with a high throw to Miles....not the greatest glove either; then made a terrible throw to Molina that he was lucky to make the tag on...and get killed over because Duncan has NO ARM, he can't play defense...thirty five errors at first, in one minor league season and seventeen at first...when he got called up. He is an AL dh'er at best. Also, if Izzy is back...then why wasn't he used Sunday? The Cards didn't deserve Sunday's win but neither did the Phils.
PS...is there a bad seat at the new ballpark? I sat up in the notsocheap seats..422...and the view of the field was great. Food and drink are outrageously high...and you can keep the Team Fredbird whistle blowing obnoxious promotions...just play ball.

Joe Strauss: Apparently Tim bet "short" on gasoline futures... Hopefully tomorrow is a better day, big guy. Your comments are duly noted.