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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Cards News and Notes
Coach Ozzie?
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 Little League World Series is Embarrassing, Breeds Vanity

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 [...]