Weekend That Was

First off, hope you all had a great Easter weekend.

Mike on the Cards got his UCB transcript up since last we spoke.  We're sending around the final discussion now, and you should be able to read it here tomorrow.

So we get down to the last week of games.  Saturday, the Cardinals beat the Twins 6-3.  I didn't get to see or hear any of this game, spending the Saturday with family, but looking at the box score and write up, I see that Colby Rasmus got to make the trip and continued to show he's got the skills to play.  I can't wait until we get to see him in St. Louis on a regular basis and neither can Albert Pujols, apparently.  Pujols raised his spring average to .400.  Imagine if he made a run at that during the regular season.........  The newest Cardinal starter, Kyle Lohse, didn't look too bad.  Two runs, five innings, three K?  I think we can take that.  Whether he can do it on a regular basis will be the key.  Chris Perez blew the save by giving up a run in the eighth, but still struck out two in his inning of work.  He should make it to St. Louis sooner rather than later as well.

Sunday, the Cards just bombed the Mets 14-4. I got to see some of this game, including Rick Ankiel's blast after he double-clutched in the swing.  He definitely is going to be someone worth watching this season.  If he can be a little more selective, he will be a force.  I was gone before Colby Rasmus hit his home run.  Wish I'd been able to see that.  It's only fair to note that I saw Cesar Izturis--aka this blog's whipping boy--make a couple of very impressive fielding plays.  That's what the Cardinals thought they were getting out of him!

The Cardinals beat the Mets every time they faced them this spring.  Doubt that means much, but it is interesting.  They are also 8-1-2 in their last 11.

So that brings us to today.  What's in the paper?

Well, here's the lineup from Mr. Goold:

1. Skip Schumaker, LF
2. Chris Duncan, 1B
3. Brian Barton, DH
4. Rick Ankiel, CF
5. Ryan Ludwick, RF
6. Adam Kennedy, 2B
7. D’Angelo Jimenez, 3B
8. Jason LaRue, C
9. Cesar Izturis, SS

Starting pitcher: RHP Brad Thompson.

The players on the bench include: OF Colby Rasmus, C Nick Derba, OF Nick Stavinoha, 1B Mark Hamilton, C Matt Pagnozzi. The spare pitchers brought along for protection are RHP Josh Dew and RHP Bob Zimmerman.

As he notes, all five outfielders that probably will be in St. Louis on opening day are in the lineup.  And Mr. Rasmus is on the bench to fill in.

Pujols got the star treatment and wasn't asked to make the trip.  Troy Glaus was supposed to, but he was scratched from the trip with a sore back.  Apparently it wasn't serious, which of course raises the question of whether it was a little convenient to miss one of the longest bus trips of the spring with "back pain."  Also noticeable that it comes after a day when the man he was traded for breaks a finger.

In other news, it appears that Kyle McClellan has made the roster.  I got to see him pitch Sunday and he looked pretty sharp.  Whether that was due to the batters' unfamiliarity with him or what, I wouldn't lay claim to know.  But this does blow some minds.  On one hand, you have the whole Anthony Reyes situation, on the other a pitcher that hasn't thrown but a handful of innings at AA is getting the call.  This seems to refute the "LaRussa won't play young kids" theory and puts more weight on the "Anthony Reyes ran over one of TLR's cats" theory.
 
What appears to be really good news about Mark Mulder.   It sounds like the health issues are in the past and that he can focus on getting into game shape.  If that's the case, those early-May return dates that have been floated around for some time might have some accuracy and that could be a boost to the team.

When I started writing this entry, the Cards were down 2-0 and their five game winning streak was in jeopardy.  Now, they've gone up 3-2 after loading the bases with nobody out in the fourth then hitting into a non-scoring double play.  Some of the guys you wouldn't expect leading the charge.  Find the Gameday link on this page.


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