This is getting ugly. A sweep by the Astros leaves St. Louis eight games back. Only a miracle could save them now.
So, who do I think the Cards should call up to finish the year and make one last desperate push? FanSided MLB Director Wally Fish organized a collaborative post to answer that question. My answer can be found over at Call to the Pen.
It may be surprising, but considering the Cardinals current state a little shake-up can’t hurt.
Be sure to check it out along with the other responses. The Reds answer was simple and better and had something to do with a guy throwing 105 mph. This season is just getting worse and worse for the Cards.
It is often said that we don’t realize how much something or someone matters until that thing is taken away — until it’s gone.
Since the Cards traded Ryan Ludwick to land Jake Westbrook at the trade deadline, Cards fans have admitted they miss Luddy. The outfielder gave St. Louis some great years and some much-needed pop in a weak lineup. It doesn’t help that since the team traded him, they have lost more than they’ve won and fallen far behind the Cincinnati Reds. Offense is a big part of the problem and Ludwick would certainly make a difference. He is in San Diego where the sun is always shining and the Padres are always winning. He’s come up with some clutch hits for the Friars and Cards fans can only cringe with every loss.
Brian Feldman says the Ludwick deal can’t be an excuse for the Cards troubles though.
A look around the rest of the NL Central this week focuses on some positive news about the Astros and Cubs despite tough seasons and some bad news for one Brewers star. Lately, it’s been all bad news for the Cards as they try to stay afloat in the pennant race. Check out some of the big stories as we head into September.
The Cardinals recent play has been embarrassing. In the heat of a pennant race, the Redbirds seem to be wilting and they don’t seem to care either. That’s the most disappointing part of it all. The reason ballplayers play ball is to compete and to win and to win in October. The goal is the same every year. Everyone wants a ring. And every April, excitement and anticipation for a summer of baseball go through the roof. This April was no different in cities across the baseball landscape.
St. Louis had every reason to believe their Cardinals would cruise to another division title and maybe make a run at the shiny trophy at the end of the year. The excitement stayed strong going into August, the beginning of the stretch run in baseball. It wasn’t as easy as expected — the Cincinnati Reds elbowed their way into the race from the season’s start and never let up — but the Cards were still there. After a big sweep of the pesky Reds, it looked like St. Louis’ experience and winning tradition would carry it over the up-and-coming underdogs from Ohio. But the Reds dug in and the Cards started to fall — fast.
The winning tradition and pride of St. Louis Cardinals baseball was invisible. This team had no fight, no spirit, no energy, no fire. And that’s a shame. Losing five out of six games to the Pirates and Nationals is a shame for a team fighting for October. You know, that month that ever ballplayer, fan, and front office exec has circled on the calendar when April rolls around. It’s when the magic happens and it’s when one team will stand above the rest and take its place in history. The 2010 Cards don’t appear too concerned with the chance to do something special. They don’t even look like they care about the division. And that’s too bad.
On a night filled with action and entertainment in Washington, the Cardinals were left with mixed emotions following a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to the Nationals in 13 innings. Albert Pujols belted his 400th career home run off Jordan Zimmermann, becoming the third youngest player in history to reach that milestone. In doing so, he joined fellow Cardinal Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth as the only players with 400 home runs, 1,200 RBI’s, and a career batting average of .330.
That’s not a bad list to be on if you ask me. However, the homer was not enough as the Nats took game one of the series and the Cards fell even further behind the Reds in the N.L. Central standings.
Albert Pujols watches as the 400th home run of his career soars into the seats. (Source: Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Albert Pujols hit the 400th home run of his brilliant career Thursday against the Washington Nationals. Pujols drilled an 0-1 pitch from Jordan Zimmermann into the right-center sits in the fourth inning to reach the milestone.
He became the 47th player in major league history and the second Cardinals slugger to reach No. 400. Stan Musial who hit 475 home runs in his Hall of Fame career is the other. Pujols is the fifth-fastest to 400 homers in history and has a good shot at the all-time record.
The home run, his league-leading 34th this year, continues his hot August which has put him in the middle of a race for the Triple Crown. He leads the National League in home runs and RBI and is third in batting average. It was his 11th homer in his last 22 games.
Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds is also in the hunt for the Triple Crown. He leads the league in batting with a .326 average and has 31 homers and 90 RBI. The race for the crown and the division title will likely decide the MVP award too.
The feat adds to Pujols’ list of achievements. Earlier this month, he hit his 30th home run of the season for the 10th consecutive year — the only player to do so in history. He is also in position to hit .300 and drive in 100 runs as he has every year of his career.
Pujols is writing history with every at bat. When he’s done, he will be among the greatest hitters of all-time.
Ozzie Smith has denied any interest in coaching or managing as recently as this year’s All-Star break. The Wizard has been content staying busy with his family, charity commitments, speaking engagements, and working with the Hall of Fame’s Education program. Smith has stayed in the public eye since retiring from the game and he still has the same love for the game. Smith spoke in Iowa at the Cards Quad Cities affiliate Sunday and helped with a youth clinic. Coaching came up again and this time Ozzie was singing a different tune.
For this week’s look around the NL Central, we spend some time on the Chicago Cubs problems past and present, Pete Rose will be celebrated by the Cincinnati Reds, the Pirates clinched another losing season to add to their record in futility, and more.
For my Ryno Report this week, I tell you why the Little League World Series is a joke. I know some people love it but after watching two innings of the Puerto Rico-Germany game today, I had more than enough. It was embarrassing to watch. Head on over to Call to the Pen to check out my column.
The Cardinals traded for veteran third baseman Pedro Feliz to help fill the void at the hot corner. Feliz comes to St. Louis from Houston in a deal for minor league pitcher David Carpenter. With David Freese out for the year and Felipe Lopez struggling, the team needed to do something as they dropped to three and a half games back of Cincinnati. Since sweeping the Reds, the Cards have lost series to the Cubs and Brewers.
Part of their struggles is related to the hole at third base. Feliz can help, but he’s not an impact player largely because he just can’t hit anymore. It’s hard to see him coming up with a big hit down the stretch for St. Louis and that’s what this team needs. The veteran was hitting .221 with four home runs and 31 RBI for the Astros. The 35-year-old has experience in the postseason after contributing to the Phillies Word Series championship in 2008 and National League championship in 2009. Before Philadelphia, he spent his entire career in San Francisco.
While he’s no longer a threat with the bat, Feliz is a great defensive third baseman. He has soft hands and a strong arm and he makes a lot of plays look easy at third. The strong defense should bring stability and confidence to the team in the field.
David Carpenter, 24, was 5-3 with 2.36 ERA in 49 relief appearances at high Class A Palm Beach. He was a converted catcher.
Bleedin' Blue
Call to the Pen
FanSided
Ramblin' Fan
Blog Red Machine
Cubbies Crib
Reviewing the Brew
Rum Bunter
Loading ...