12 Big Games in 14 Days

Aug 21, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager

warms up pitcher

(not pictured) before the bottom of the 9th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow starts the conclusion to the St. Louis Cardinals’ season who face the Reds, then the Pirates, then the Reds again, followed by the Pirates again.  Two weeks packed with playoff preparation and positioning.

Today’s loss versus Atlanta allowed the Braves to take the season series 4-3, which could come back to hurt the Birds in a month if the two teams have the same record.  Much more importantly, Lance Lynn looked shaky again giving up multiple runs early. Will it be LL of late 2012, or will Lance Light make a comeback and return to his less filling potential?

After the deterioration of Jake Westbrook, who now ails on the DL with a stiff ERA, and the reappearance of Tyler Lyons, the starters have become the inconsistency in a newly stabilized lineup, which is producing.

Starting Monday, the Cardinals host the Redlegs before hitting the ro-ad to battle the Bucs.  Then next week, a series in Cincinnati looms before returning to St. Louis to host the Pirates.

It is the most exciting time of the season but also the scariest.

The great news for the Redbirds is that the cakewalk begins when the Brewers come to Busch in two weeks.  The bad news is that for the next two weeks each game has a giant impact.  In two weeks the Cards could be in a totally different position than now, especially since two other teams outside of the division, the Braves and Dodgers, all have very similar records.

Make or break, do or die, put up or shut up.  Whatever time it is that defines success, that time is now.  Fall is near, and on the 10th of September the lightest part of the schedule begins for St. Louis.  It will be as cool and refreshing as the weather.

Milwaukee(twice), Seattle, Colorado, Washington, and Chicago are the cakes in next months walk into the postseason.  Thanks Bud!

Aug 25, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Team Fredbird girls launch t-shirts into the stands during the sixth inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. Atlanta defeated St. Louis 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports