Fresh Start

OK, back to some optimism.  The Cards are only four games behind the Cubs, who haven't just set the world on fire lately.  Even the Brewers had trouble with the Astros.  Plus, those two teams play each other, so a win by the Cards and they gain ground against someone.  And Carpenter does return this week.  Things could be much worse, right?

And Atlanta's got their own problems.  They are trying to trade off Mark Teixeira (one of my personal favorites, honestly), Brian McCann and Chipper Jones probably won't play (or not much) in the series, and tonight they don't know who they are starting, according to the official site.  (ESPN lists Charlie Morton.)

Of course, after tonight the Cards face Tim Hudson and Jair Jurrjens, but after that they get to try to knock Mike Hampton back onto the DL!  (If they don't, that could be a long night as well, knowing his history against the Cardinals.)

If Morton is pitching tonight, hopefully it's not another case of "young unknown pitcher tying up the offense".  That's happened often enough in Cardinal history, though they were able to break out against Brandon Knight on Saturday.

Braden Looper goes for the Cardinals, and save for Chipper Jones (who probably won't play, as noted), no one has seen a lot of him either.  Looper really needs to get through six or so innings tonight if at all possible.  The pen probably will come into play early in potentially every game this series, so anytime the starter can still be out there in the seventh, it's a huge bonus.

The series preview and YNOT are up at the Clubhouse for your perusal and entry.

And news you really don't want to hear: TLR says Franklin's still the closer.  That 8.38 ERA for the month of July must not weigh very heavily in the decision making.  Nor the fact that he's given up home runs in three consecutive outings.  I know I speak for a lot of people that won't exactly be relaxing if the Cards have a late lead tonight.

Think positive, think positive..............






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