Tuesday August 18th, 2009

Cardinals Update:
Carpenter looked good not great lastnight. 8 IP 8 K's and the win, cant ask much more of him. Very much enjoying the competition going on between Waino and Carp. Keep going guys.
Pujols hit #39 lastnight and it would be nice to see him keep this up and hit over 50 for the season. With about 40 something games to go he looks like a lock to do so.
Ankiel's homerun in the 7th inning was a welcome surprise even if it was against a knuckleballer. He was in the midst of a 1-17 slump and for him to propel the cards to a hard fought win over the team with the best record in the National League was great to see.
Ryan Franklin got season save #30 lastnight and what else can you say about him other than he has been one of the most consistent aspects of the Cardinals team this year. His consistency is one of the main reasons for the Cardinals success this year; a season removed from the bullpen debacle that was the Cards last year, i.e. 29 blown saves.
The Cardinals have expressed serious interest in John Smoltz. I had previously predicted he would end up in Arlington with the Rangers, but from what I have been reading it sounds more and more like he will end up in St. Louis with former teammates Mark DeRosa and Wainwright. At the time Waino was traded from the Braves to the Cardinals Smoltz was not a fan of losing his young protege. Not to metion I have heard Waino can hold his own on the links with Smoltz, who has been known to get out on the course and give Tiger a run for his money. Jayson Stark of ESPN predicted that Smoltz would be a good fit for the Cards and said that he thought he would end up here to shore up the eighth inning. He also metioned that the Cubs were in freefall and that the Cardinals looked like a team that could end up in the World Series. I also liked that guy.

I'm going to skip the updates around sports for today because I refuse to comment on Brett Farve anymore than has already be done. Don't get me wrong I like the guy and he definitely makes the Vikings a better team but enough already. Good luck Brett, but you have worn out your welcome with me.

Baseball Picks for Wednesday August 19th, 2009

Royals over White Sox
Angels over Indians
Tigers over Mariners
Rockies over Nationals
D-Backs over Phillies
Brewers over Pirates
Blue Jays over Red Sox
Rays over Orioles
Giants over Reds
Braves over Mets
Rangers over Twins
Astros over Marlins
A's over Yankees
Padres over Cubs
Cardinals over Dodgers