Two Series, Different Results

Wow, my blogging has gotten bad lately.  I mean, Nick heads to Europe for a week and still Pitchers Hit Eighth is updated at least once a day.  Bear with me and I'll try to get back into a blogging routine this week.

Let's hit the high points of the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati series before discussing what they actually mean.

Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh (Win 4-2)
Hero: Albert Pujols
Goat: Brian Barden
Notes: Pitcher was back to the eighth slot temporarily.  Barden went ofer in the leadoff slot, which is always a good way to get the Goat tag.  Chris Duncan was pretty solid as well, smashing a key triple.

Thursday vs. Pittsburgh (Win 5-2)
Hero: Skip Schumaker
Goat: Chris Duncan
Notes: Duncan was 0-3, though he did have a sac fly.  Ryan Ludwick got his RBI the harder way, taking one for the team with the bases loaded.

Friday at Cincinnati (Loss 6-4)
Hero: Chris Duncan
Goat: Joel Pineiro
Notes: If you want to go with one play, Joe Thurston might have gotten the Goat being caught stealing in the ninth.  Pineiro had the Cards in a big hole early, though, and it was at least good to see them battle back.

Saturday at Cincinnati (Loss 8-3)
Hero: Ryan Ludwick
Goat: Albert Pujols
Notes: Kyle Lohse gave up seven runs, including a bases-loaded single to the pitcher, so it was a tough call on Albert.  Still, 0-4, five left on and an error is an all-around bad night.

Sunday at Cincinnati (Win 8-7 in 10)
Hero: Colby Rasmus
Goat: Ryan Franklin
Notes: Tough to blow a save on two home runs, but that's what Franklin did.  I know Micah Owings is a good-hitting pitcher, but two outs, full count, and he goes yard on you to tie the game?  That's a Goat move.

The Cards still hold a two-game edge over Milwaukee, even after their stumbles lately against Philadelphia and Cincinnati.  They'll get a chance to take on their nearest rival this weekend, but first they have to survive a trip to Pittsburgh first.

Typically, that's not been a problem.  Since 2001, when PNC Park opened, the Cardinals are 44-22 against the Pirates in their ballpark.  The Cards get rematches with Zach Duke and Ross Ohlendorf after beating them last week, plus add Jeff Karstens to the mix as well.  This will be the third time the Cards will have seen the first two guys, which tends to help out St. Louis.  The more they see a pitcher, the better.

If you want to talk upbeat and positive, there are two things that get your attention.  One, apparently Adam Wainwright sat down with Chris Carpenter at the end of the game yesterday and found a flaw in his delivery.  (Unlike Dan Quisenberry, who often quipped he found a delivery in his flaw.)  If this is something that actually works, getting Wainwright back to form would be huge for the Cardinals.  That said, I want to withhold judgement for another start or two, see if he really is back.  A lot of times the players think they've figured it out but they've actually not gotten the handle on the problem.

Secondly, in the same link, the news that Carpenter could be back during the next homestand has to put smiles on the faces of most of Cardinal Nation.  I don't know when in the homestand he would make his appearance, but the fifth starter slot would come around Wednesday the 20th against the Chicago Cubs.  I'd bet that, barring setback, he'll be on the mound that night.

Off day today gives the Cards a chance to regroup after a rough series.  We'll see if Pittsburgh is just what the doctor ordered.