Joe Strauss: OK, everybody up for your work week. Like clockwork -- except on those Wednesday afternoons when the Cardinals are actually playing -- the Tsunami creates a cyber-swell rolling through Cardinal nation. I just got through highlighting the Bernie Show on 101.1 FM. Now we're going to do the same for STLtoday.com. Enough self-indulgence. Starting to sound like BirdLand. Let's get to the approaching crash of questions, many about the Cardinals manager and pitching coach, strangely enough. Word is leaking that the Cardinals will open the Minnesota Twins' new facility in Minneapolis next April 2 and 3 with two exhibition games. Nice and toasty, I'm sure. We'll expand the scope of today's conversation to entertain some college football tidbits if the ChatHeads desire. Surf's up. Boogie boarders not allowed.

NY Card Fan: Joltin' Joe,

I usually don't like to look too far ahead and normally would wait for that big, beautiful "X" to be posted in front of St. Louis in the standings (as in "X- clinched playoff spot") before asking my question. However, if the Cubs play .800 baseball the rest of the way (unlikely), the Cards only have to play .500 ball to win the division, so they're clearly in the driver's seat. How do you see the Cards stacking up against the other probable playoff teams (Phillies, Dodgers, Giants or Rockies)? I certainly respect the Phillies offense and the Giants pitching...but the Dodgers and Rockies look beatable to me. How do you see it?

Joe Strauss: Given how the Cardinals have played the last six weeks, anybody is beatable in the NL. The Phillies have a lot of LH launch. The Dodgers seemed to have the Cardinals in mind when they acquired Jim Thome Monday as nothing more than a LH bench bat. The Giants remain overly reliant on pitching but have reached the Cardinals' staff for a .292 average in seven regular season games. That number, however, is skewed by a 10-0 loss started by Brad Thompson at Busch June 29. It is conceivable the Cardinals could add a third lefthanded reliever (Royce Ring) to their postseason roster through some sleight of hand. That appears a long shot but it is doable. The Phillies remain the team positioned to give the Cardinals the most trouble. The Cards have lost four of five to them and allowed a 7.95 ERA, .324 average and .935 OBPS. Their July 24-26 series at Citizens Bank remains their most recent series loss. Jason Motte and Todd Wellemeyer were losing pitchers in that series. The Phillies outscored the Birds, 38-24, in those five games. Chris Carpenter has had some rough outings in Philly. It would appear essential that the Cardinals finish with a better regular season record than Philadelphia, likely ensuring Carpenter two starts at Busch. The Cardinals have owned the Dodgers in regular season and postseason play. I don't see much reason to expect that to change. This month's series in Denver may provide clues about a head to head with the Rockies. They jump-started their resurgence under Jim Tracy by taking two of three here in June. The Cardinals appear well-equipped to exploit their thin bullpen.

Brett: Now that the Franklin and Miller deals are done...is it time to get very serious on a Holliday deal? Also...is the club planning on keeping DeRosa as 3B next season or giving it up for Freese? Thanks.

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals have plenty of reason to get serious about Holliday very soon. Indications are that they will attempt to initiate negotiations within the next two weeks if Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, is willing to listen. Holliday backhanded the question Tuesday night, saying he wants to remain focused on the regular season. That's much what another Boras client, Lohse, said last year before doing his deal on the season's final day. The Cardinals discourage players from discussing negotiations, partly because it deflects attention if the talks crumble. Numerous players have played the game (Eckstein, Woody Williams) and come away disappointed. Holliday will have a market regardless. It's questionable whether the Cardinals have enough payroll flexibility to do both Holliday and De Rosa. I doubt that David Freese's injury-filled season offers enough foundation for the club to project him as its starting 3B for 2010.

chris: What's your over/under on these things happening, the Cardinals winning 100 games this year and/or finishing with the best record in the NL.

Thanks

Joe Strauss: The Cards need a 22-7 rush to finish with 100 wins. They're currently on a 26-9 roll. It would seem a bit much to ask for them to go 48-16.... It's far more likely -- JSL!!! believes probable -- that the Cardinals finish with the league's best record. Their next homestand against the Braves, Marlins and Cubs will likely determine that.

Tackleberry: JSL,

I read something yesterday about Wellemeyer's return; suggesting he was pitching for a place on the post-season roster and his Cardinal future? What "future" does Wellemeyer have with the club? Would the club consider him a real option for the rotation in 2010?

Also, do you ever feel like with Franklin the Cards are "playing with house money?" He's had some appearances as of late that would have had Izzy being chastised (by persons like myself), do you see two more effective seasons being realistic for Ryan? I for one was more excited by the Smoltz move because it would give the Cards an insurance policy at closer come play-off time. I'm guessing I'm alone here.

Joe Strauss: Franklin had an unsteady appearance in San Diego Aug. 23 and another wobbly one last night. There are plenty of doubters who consider Franklin's pitch-to-contact rep as suggestive of a "lucky" season. I consider that spreadsheet madness. When not overtaxed Franklin has been outstanding in three seasons here. He's converted 37 of 39 save chances. Tuesday was his third outing within 53 in which he has allowed multiple runs. His ERA stands at 1.37 and he's allowed two home runs the entire season and fewer than 1.0 baserunners per inning. I don't see the comparison with "bad Izzy." Yeah, you're on an island this time, T'Man.