The First Losing Streak

The Cardinal spring season started off very promising, defeating the Mets twice (including Johan Santana).  Since then, though, little has gone right.  They let the Marlins come back on Saturday to win the game (even though they only allowed three hits), lost again to the Marlins on Sunday, couldn't rally against the Nationals Monday, then were pounded by the Orioles yesterday.

The good feelings around Anthony Reyes surely took a hit with yesterday's results.  Two innings, six hits, four runs.  Though, apparently, Reyes wasn't too disturbed by it.  It is spring, pitching is different then as it is not as much results-oriented, but still, better results next time would make many in Cardinal Nation feel much better.

By the way, if you are looking for some of the more advanced stats for the spring, check out Fungoes.  Kip is keeping up with all of that.

Looks like Tyler Johnson only needs rest, not surgery.  That said, knowing the Cardinals and their track record with injuries, don't expect to see him effectively pitching anytime soon.

The Rasmus watch: He singled, homered and drove in the only two Cardinal runs in yesterday's game.  Good stuff, of course, but Matthew Leach made the most persuasive argument for letting him spend a month down in Memphis.  Trading an extra year of him for a month now seems to be a no-brainer, especially with the season the Cardinals are likely to have.  And it gives Juan Gonzalez a chance to get back to the majors and then get hurt.

For the first time in basically forever, you won't get any Bucks doing Cardinal baseball.  (Well, unless Joe does some national Cardinal games.)  I can understand the reasoning behind it, but I always enjoyed the FSN games that Joe did.  It'll be too bad not getting that reprieve from some of the inanities that Dan and Al get into.  For the record, Dan isn't that bad, but you gotta wonder about Al sometimes.

Cards have a doubleheader scheduled for today, if weather permits.  The second game will be started by Adam Wainwright and have the players that aren't in the first game, which Bird Land lines out to be:

1. Brian Barton, CF
2. Joe Mather, LF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Troy Glaus, 3B
5. Juan Gonzalez, DH
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Ryan Ludwick, RF
8. Cesar Izturis, SS
9. Aaron Miles, 2B

Starting pitcher: RHP Mike Parisi. Followed: LHP Ron Villone; RHP Hugo Castellanos; RHP Russ Springer; RHP Tyler Herron; RHP Chris Perez; RHP Mark McCormick; RHP Jess Todd; RHP David Kopp; RHP Blake King.

I'd like to see Jess Todd get an inning or so of work.  The former Razorback is someone I'll be keeping an eye on this summer.  And Barton needs to get his bat going or he'll wind up back to Cleveland.  (Unless Mozeliak can work some sort of trade to keep him permanently.)

Don't forget Day 3 of UCB week is below.


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