jaypyo22: Chatmaestro,

First time caller. Cardfan here in Nashville, really enjoy your commentary. Looking into your crystal ball, where do you see us finishing this year? Also, do you have any insight to the reason we are playing better ball on the road then home.

Joe Strauss: Each day reduces their chances. The Cardinals badly need a two-game sweep of the Brewers next week. Every game that gets away allows also the NL East teams to get more involved in the wild card race. The Cardinals face the Cubs, Marlins and D'Backs 16 times in September. That's not a good schedule for any team trying to make up ground. As for the home-road split, I have no idea. The Cardinals have performed better on the road (37-29) than at home (33-29). Strangely, the Redbirds have not swept a road series this season. They were also 14-7 at Busch Stadium through May 4, leaving them 19-22 since. They have thrived when hitting home runs but struggled otherwise. New Busch is not a home run park. The Cardinals have 61 home runs in 62 home games compared to 78 home runs in 66 road games.

cards fan trapped in chi-town: A tsunami travels across the ocean as a small hump of water but at speeds as high as five hundred miles an hour. When it reaches land, it explodes. . .hence JSL!!!

Do you follow the work of other scribes across the nation? If so, which columns do you enjoy? Please don't say Marriotti from the Sun-Times!!!

Joe Strauss: I like the work of any scribe who tells me something I don't already know. Believe it or not, that includes a large circle of peers, most of them beat hacks like the ChatMeister (P-D sports department motto: "Row Well and Live.") Those who do the reporting are often the lesser knowns compared to higher-paid "stars." The best columnists haven't forgotten their "beat hack" roots. If you read Bernie, Richard Justice, Bill Plaschke, Dave Kindred, etc., you'll get my drift.

brettjhouston: Hey Wise Chatmeister,
In watching the game last night, it has become obvious that when we face tough pitchers or just come out flat our Cards no longer do the things necessary to scratch out runs.
I understand the american league mentality of working towards the big inning but I'd like to see some more fundamentals to put us in the position to suceed whether thats hitting to the right side with a runner on or stealing a base.
In the last couple of years we've seen a little more of that type of baseball but this year appears to be a different story. Is this something you have noticed and if it is a trend is it because of the number of younger players on the roster. Thanks and keep up the good work!!
BA

Joe Strauss: There's a truism about the two leagues: In the AL, the big inning wins. In the NL, whoever scores in the most innings wins. The Cardinals are 34-5 when scoring in four or more innings, 36-52 when they fail to do so. It's a fair read that this year's pitching staff minus Wainwright does less to help itself than its predecessors. The club has not done as well controlling the running game (Carpenter's absence hurts) and is not particularly adept at bunting. Meanwhile, the overall defense is better.

Morgan Lester in Va. Beach: Hey, the JSL!!! surf is up here in VA. Last week you mentioned that Felipe Lopez would not be a Cardinal next year. With Miles/Kennedy (2b) being the major weakness of the current lineup, do you see any potential free agents Mo may persue? Regarding this season, will Mo make any deals now that Izzy seems to be done?

Joe Strauss: I believe I questioned Lopez as a starter for next season. The Cardinals are committed to Kennedy through next season and have yet to suggest they will dump him. As stated before, expect significant turnover in the bullpen next season, which is actually fairly typical.

jeff: Hi Mr. Strauss:

Do you think the following lineup AND bench might help the offense get going for a long winning streak and the stretch run:

Schmaker/Mather
Lopez
Pujols
Ludwick
Ankiel
Glaus
Molina
Pitcher
Izturis

Ideal bench: Mather, Phelps, Miles, Larue, Barton
(we don't need Kennedy here, why we need 3 second basemen in the 25 man roster? that is a waste of a spot which we could have Josh Phelps as a power threat on the bench). Last night, we could bat experienced Phelps with power instead of rookie Barton (who strikes out) with the base loaded and the Cards down 3 runs? Since every game is important now, can we call up Josh Phelps and find excuse to send Kennedy/Barton down for 10 days until the roster expands in 10 days?

Joe Strauss: An A for effort, Jeff. I think there is a larger issue, however. The need to protect this bullpen has caused TLR and the front office to adopt a 13-man staff, leaving only a 4-man bench. Since a team typically uses its backup catcher only as a last resort, this leaves only three position reserves. Phelps is rated a defensive liability, making him unattractive to a short bench. The result ties the manager's hands allowing the man in the other dugout to better dictate match-ups. TLR has been unsparing in criticizing the offense's ability to "add on" late. Might that have something to do with his limited bench?