Yadier Molina for MVP?

We are officially one month into the 2012 season as of today–that’s if you don’t count the two games that took place overseas. There is still a whole lot of baseball to be played. While a certain someone continues to struggle on the Pacific coast, the St. Louis Cardinals remain a red-hot baseball team as they sit on top of the National League Central.

Wednesday night’s game was an absolute blowout. During the offseason, if you predicted Lance Lynn would be 5-0 this season after one month of play, I would have called you crazy. The rookie pitcher has been amazing this season. A 1.60 ERA that leads the starting rotation is further absurd.

The Cardinals are heading to Houston. While I was originally not going to speculate on anything as far as what might take place while in Houston, I changed my mind. Looking at the pitching this weekend, the Cardinals will start Kyle Lohse, Jaime Garcia, and Adam Wainwright. Going by the rotation, I’m expecting a sweep of the Astros. Anything less would be a shock. As we saw from his previous outing, Wainwright is getting back to the form he had pre-surgery.

Taking a look at the offense,

might have just finished what very well could be the absolute best month of his career. He doesn’t feel pressured by his contract extension! Going into today, Molina was tied for first with 10 doubles. His .318 batting average was good enough to be in 11th place. Molina ranks 7th in OPS with .949. His 17 runs tied him for 6th place in the National League. Throw in 15 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Not too shabby for a catcher if you ask me!

In some sad news this evening, it was announced this evening that Lil Musial, the wife of Cardinal great Stan Musial, passed away at the age of 91. I offer my condolences to the Musial family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The club sent out a press release with a statement:

"“We have lost a valued member of the Cardinals family,” Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. “Lil was the love of Stan’s life – – a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of so many people. From her selfless work in organizing the Cardinals Pinch Hitters group to her more recent efforts to help homeless, runaway girls with the Covenant House, Lil was always helping others. The entire Cardinals organization extends its sincere condolences to Stan, their children Richard, Gerry, Janet and Jean, and their eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.”"