Two Out of Three Ain't Great

I know, I know.  You are supposed to just focus on winning series.  Win enough of them and you'll be on top at the end of the year.  But when it gets to this late in the season, when you are in the situation the Cardinals are in, you really need to get the sweep.

It's a Monday, so you know that means it is time for the weekend roundup.

Friday
Hero: Umm, how do you pick one in an 18 run onslaught?  Everyone that played (save one) either had a hit or a run.  Adam Wainwright returned and gave six strong innings, which was great.  Albert Pujols went 3-3 with 3 RBI.  But I think we'll go with Yadier Molina for his 4-5, 4 RBI day.  Still, you could close your eyes and point at a reasonable selection.
Goat: It's either got to be Joe Mather, for coming into the game and going 0-2, or Joel Pineiro for giving up two runs in three innings.  I think I'll give it to Pineiro, but with the caveat that it's doubtful he was throwing his best pitches when up 15-1.
Notes: Wow, that was a fun game, wasn't it?

Saturday
Hero: Albert Pujols wanted the sweep, you can tell.  A 3-5 day with three RBI, including a HR.  And, as Derrick Goold put it, "it took one replay-ready diving catch in left-center field and one bruised palm for [Chipper] Jones at third base" to get him out at all.
Goat: Kyle McClellan.  Two runs in an inning with the game tied is going to be a problem.  The rest of the bullpen just added on.
Notes: This was a tough one to lose after being up 3-1.  Still, it was one of the better outings for Kyle Lohse than we've seen in a while.  Perhaps he's starting to turn a corner.  Or it was just the weaker lineup.

Sunday
Hero: You could go with Pujols again, especially since he started off the scoring with another home run.  But I think most would agree that Brian Barton had a heck of a game, with three hits and 2 RBI in the nine hole.  Hopefully the oblique that he tweaked isn't serious, because it is starting to look like that time in AAA did him some good.  Braden Looper is also in the Hero conversation after another seven inning outing that kept the team in the game.
Goat:  Ryan Ludwick.  0-5 and left 8 on base.  If he's going to hit behind Pujols (especially while AP is this white hot), he's going to have to make people pay for walking El Hombre.
Notes: A good solid win for the Cardinals.  Which at least kept them in the race.

So, the difference in winning and losing Saturday is that, even if the Cardinals sweep this last set against the Brewers starting tomorrow, they can't retake the wild card lead.  On paper, the series is sweepable, but then things are out of your control.  Still, 2.5 out with 30 games left isn't the worst situation to be in, though I don't think we'll see a fade by the Brewers like last year with Sabathia on their squad.

Chris Carpenter seems to be doing better.  He'll throw again Wednesday and, to my untrained mind, it sounds like if that comes out well, he'll be activated for a start a few days after that.  I could see him being activated for a Labor Day start against the Diamondbacks as rosters expand.

Another off day today.  We'll look at the big series tomorrow morning.


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