Cards Get Swept

Very impressive.  The Cardinals were able to execute the game plan I outlined in yesterday’s post to perfection, losing all three games of the series to the Kansas City Royals.  Here’s tonight’s recap and box score.

Heading into this series, I remember thinking how it was the perfect time to gain some ground on the division leading Cubs.  That certainly didn’t happen, but luckily, Chicago was also swept in their interleague series with Tampa Bay.  So, the overall suckiness of the Cardinals’ play during the last three games is offset by the fact that they’re in no worse shape now than they were before the embarrassment.

Now for the bad news.  The Cards head to Boston for a three game set against the Sox in Fenway.  If they were able to muster just four runs in three games against the Royals at home, I shudder to think how little offense they’ll provide against the World Champion Red Sox on the road.

Alright, that’s enough negativity.  The sky is not falling.  After all, our beloved Birds are still just a few games off the pace in the Central, and still lead the Wild Card race by two games.  The upcoming schedule might be tough, but after seeing this team fight to prove all the “experts” wrong to this point, you can bet a Tony La Russa led club will be up for the challenge.

Think of the possibilities for the Cardinals in the second half.  They’ll have a slew of players coming back from injuries, including Yadi, Wainwright, perhaps Carpenter, and of course, The Mang.  If they’re able to stay in the race until the calvary arrives, the Cards will be in good shape for the stretch run.

For now, let’s hope for some wicked good ball against Bah-ston!