Living in LA, I'd probably have to go with Beltre -- he seems like the silent killer that actually gets pitched to.

I'm in mourning over the sweep of the Angels.

All right, the "first game" is over. Bob Gibson...um...I mean Matt Morris, mowed the "non-offense" Dodgers down with a complete-game Shutout. The Dodgers apparently couldn't hit him with a backstop/ goalposts combined. The home-plate ump, who probably laid bets for himself and Pete Rose, had no problems calling at least 20 pitches strikes against the Dodgers which never even caught sight of home plate. That's a fact, but neither here nor there, since the Dodgers swung at enough b.s. pitches to make up for it. Then again, later on, the ump started calling phantom strikes on the Cards.

A couple of things for everybody to consider: Maybe this will be the Dodgers' best game in the series, but one decent inning by the Blue Crew would have made the game completely wide-open; poor Grabowski must never have played at Busch before since he's normally excellent defensively (both "hits" would normally have been outs); Lima must have a Sanders fetish-- I hope he's through with it by next week.

Oh well, now I can't wait until tomorrow, even if Kaz Ishii is pitching. See you at the end of the tunnel. Make sure you don't count any World Championships before they hatch. I have a very strong memory of both the Mets and the A's doing that in 1988, and this Dodger team is better overall than that one, even if they don't have Hershiser. Later, all you music-and-Cards-loving Gators.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

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Oh well, now I can't wait until tomorrow, even if Kaz Ishii is pitching. See you at the end of the tunnel. Make sure you don't count any World Championships before they hatch. I have a very strong memory of both the Mets and the A's doing that in 1988, and this Dodger team is better overall than that one, even if they don't have Hershiser. Later, all you music-and-Cards-loving Gators.

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I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect the Cards to take 2 of 3, but I'm also worried about the Dodgers as a team with potentially scary pitching and a great defense.

I only saw about half of tonight's game, but Morris had a fastball topping 93 mph, which is some of his best of the season, and looked tough. Tough loss for Lima, who pitched well. Should be a good series.

Oh, and your welcome for polishing the Pads. They didn't look so good. Sitting out in the left field bleachers, I came to the conlusion that Ryan Klesko, bless his heat, plays the outfield like a bull tiptoes through a china shop. Ugly.

It was unfortunate for Lima that he had to face a Matt Morris we haven't seen for several years. Lima's did look good, but Morris looked amazing. I was camped at my sports bar hoping to see Ankiel come out of the bullpen, but settled my tab in the eighth figuring Matty Mo was looking strong and that it as a low enough scoring game that they wouldn't risk Rick in a high pressure situation.

I'm surprised Grabowski wasn't charged with the error for the back handed catch he missed, but if he had made it, we would all be watching the play on Baseball Tonight's Web Gems. He was in a bad position to make that play.

I agree with pE. This is going to be a great series.

Oh, and counting World Championships before they hatch? I'm not even counting the Penant before it's hatched. The Division, however, feels doable.

Now Playing: NPR's Weekend Edition

Wow! Back-to-back two-hitters! But "The Curse of the Ishii Walk" struck again! ( I've seen enough sequels so far, thank you.) I guess it's just the week for MC Games and me to eat poop.
The Cards definitely deserved to win that game, but let me post the line score since there's only four of us usually in here.

Dodgers 1 10 1
Cardinals 5 2 1

The game had several incredible defensive plays by both sides. I thought the Dodgers, all by themselves, made six great defensive plays worthy of notice. Well, I guess that, combined with 10 hits and only two given up, can't counteract 10/11 strikeouts [don't (want to) remember] and at least two double plays.

The Dodgers were batting REALLY LOW on this roadtrip (except for MVP), but even after this game, they're 6-6. I was actually kinda hoping, after a while, that the Dodgers would get shut out, just to accentuate the ridiculousness of the whole thing, but now I'm glad that they got a run; maybe it'll knock that monkey off their back. I think it's appropriate that Beltre got his 100th RBI of the season in the same game that ex-Angel Edmonds got his 40th HR/300th HR of the season/his career (not trying to rub it in, Games.)

Let's see. I told my wife I was just going to say, "I'm speechless!" and post the line score. I guess this proves that my mouth is as big as my belly and/or my head, take your pick.
Right now the sting of this game means something, but I sure hope that next month, it doesn't. Later, you happy or sad Gators (didn't the Angels win?) That would make it 3 and 1 . (Blue is my favorite color.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

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Dodgers 1 10 1
Cardinals 5 2 1

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That was a crazy one, but indicative of the Cards this whole season.

All I can say is that the recent pitching by Morris, and the continued excellence of Carp and Marquis, along with Suppan and Williams, will lead to MANY debates about the post-season rotation.

As I write this, the Dodgers picked up 1 to get within one (its 3-2 in the 5th) with Woody and Weaver locked up pretty tight.

A non-divisional rivalry note: how 'bout what Ichiro is doing for the go-nowhere Mariners? His charge at Sisler's hit record (a great, and WAY underappreciated, record) is unreal. 5-5 last night. The way he takes pitches anywhere he wants them is amazing.

My sympathies, mark. I'm not sorry, mind you, but I am sympathetic. It was a tough series for your guys.

It's been a busy couple of days of travel and racing with much of that time in a virtual news blackout, so I have little to say about the remainder of the series save for my relief that Larry Walker's knee sprain appears to be minor. THAT was nothing I wanted to see on the ESPN crawl one of the few times I was in front of a TV. I did, however, get to watch some of the Angels/Indians on ESPN last night. I'm sorry to say I missed Molina's amazing play, but got to see quite a bit of Lackey's terrific performance.

I see this evening that the Yankees are asking the commissioner's office for a forfeit of the first game of the planned double-header with the Devil Rays tonight. The team had a hard time getting out of Tampa and didn't arrive in NYC until around five this evening.

I'm usually a stickler for rules, but that strikes me as petty. I'm wondering if they're starting to look over their shoulders at the Red Sox more than they would care to admit.

Oh, and thanks for the tip on Ichiro, pE. That's a tidbit that's gotten right past me. Why the heck isn't anybody writing about it?

Now Playing: "Flute Concerto in F, Op. 10, No. 1, RV 433" Antonio Vivaldi (perf. Stanley Ritchie/IU Baroque Orchestra feat. Jennifer Streeter, rec.)

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Originally posted by LinnTate:


I see this evening that the Yankees are asking the commissioner's office for a forfeit of the first game of the planned double-header with the Devil Rays tonight. The team had a hard time getting out of Tampa and didn't arrive in NYC until around five this evening.

I'm usually a stickler for rules, but that strikes me as petty. I'm wondering if they're starting to look over their shoulders at the Red Sox more than they would care to admit.

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I admit that it's Yankee panic operating here, but I heard that MLB requested the Rays find an alternate travel date out of Florida, and they took their chances with their scheduled flight. They should have headed to NY earlier and they didn't: blame the weather, if you must, but the Yanks have a beef.

Of course, a REAL team wouldn't be afraid to play 'em, but the Yankees are a sinking ship...

I was going to let this all slide, but between the sympathies and the various comments, I guess I should jump in. Hell, I've already been stirring up plenty of trouble today.

You may not believe me, but remember, I said elsewhere that baseball is the hardest sport on the individual/team/fan. What are you talkin' about, you MF!?! All they do is stand around 98% of the time! Well, OK, for the uninitiated, the pitcher, catcher and opposing-batter, as well as the managers and the coaches, basically don't have any time to "stand around", unless they're trying to psych-out their enemy or psych themselves up. The fielders had better not "stand around" unless they want to lose their juicy paychecks. That's the thing. I don't want to imply that baseball players are smart (I've seen plenty of idiots), but the game IS a physical drain, but EVEN MORE a mental drain.

On the various subjects at hand. The Cards look ALMOST invincible. I'm just wondering if they're going to get TESTED before the REAL test or not. I will tell you something. The Dodgers were tested the last three days, and I would hope that even if they "failed" this test, they can still "pass" the FINAL. The Dodgers have been scrapping all year and coming through, so far. If they are in the playoffs, at the end of the season, they will have passed a very important test of character. They will have beaten back doubts, challenges and heartbreaks. I hope they make it, and I actually believe the Cards series will strengthen them. If they sink, then they weren't meant to be there anyway. NO BIGGIE. (I'm an old fart.) There's always next year or much later, whatever.

Now the Yanks (the team I dislike the second-most, behind the Giants [I've gotten way beyond HATE, what's the point?], they are in a challenge, just as the Dodgers are, however they are much more under a microscope and so much more is expected of them. They are going through their test, and I would be shocked if they don't pass it.

OK, now we come back to the invincibly-seeming Cards, and I'll tell you guys right now, if the Dodgers or Angels don't take it, I'm rooting for the Cards (although I tend to always root for the Cubs because...well, you know, so let's see what happens.) But I will throw the cautionary-BS that the Cards remind me of the Seattle Mariners a few years back. They mow everyone down and tie a record for most wins in a year and do a nosedive in the playoffs. I'm not trying to imply anything, but there's something to be said about proving that you can win based on CHARACTER and not just TALENT and "RESULTS." A few tests before post-season might be beneficial to the Cards, but then again I don't follow them daily, just as you don't follow the other teams as religiously. Maybe the Cards have passed some tests recently. I was pretty impressed how their platoon position players basically killed the Dodgers on Sunday, who "missed it by that much." Hey, I'd love it if this week the Dodgers give the Cards a test and vice versa, but the actual results probably won't determine who wears any WC rings in a little bit. This is just a friendly babbling of ideas which I wasn't even going to mention except that I must be in a Grandpappy Amos (feisty, but wise) mood today.

As far as Ichiro, his attack of the record should be honored, but I'll be the wet blanket to mention that George Sisler played in 154 games and batted .407 in 1920 when he set the single-season record for hits. Oh well, two years later, he batted .420 with ONLY 246 hits. I know you guys know he played for St. Louis, just for the Browns in the A.L. Good luck to everyone and shut up, mark.

EDIT- LT, I wouldn't be too much a stickler for rules in any sport. Between incompetence, physical disability and outright mendacity, the officials and players have never followed the rules. Then again, USC just got screwed because Williams didn't "follow the rules" (how the hell could he?), but he completely fulfilled their intent, so "No Sale!"

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

That's a lot to comment on, Mark. You're outta control!!!!

I, too, worry that the Mariners set a precedent. The regular season's a marathon and the postseason a sprint (or at least middle-distance), and marathoner's aren't trained for the middle distances. BUT...the Cards have what you need for a post-season: defense, good pitching, solid bullpen, and potentially explosive offense that can, if need be, play small ball.

And, yeah, Ichiro's getting 8 extra games to break that record. Good point. But I've not seen a hitter so "locked in" since Tony Gwynn in his heyday...

LT: Ankiel looked good last night. The team is protecting him from the media: the only interview he's done so far was with Mike Shannon. Edmonds said in a recent interview that he "warned" some reporters to leave lil' Ricky alone...

Oh, mercy, Morris is getting roughed up today. He just left in the bottom of the third having given up four runs on top of three in the bottom of the second. While shaky outings are nothing completely new for Matty Mo, he did have a visit from the trainer while he was on the mound, which is worrisome.

I really wanted to stay up for the game last night, pE. I wanted to see Ankiel's return to the bigs, but a long day and an early morning today got the better of me. Still and all, I'm so happy to see him back, not just because it's another left arm in the bullpen, but because it's just a great story. I wish him all the best.

I've thought of the spectre of Mariners a few times myself, mark. I have to echo, pE, though. This is a good team on so many levels, but then again what do you expect for me to say?

Now Playing: The Cards, still down 7-0 in the bottom of the third in San Diego...Dan Haren's on the mound and taking care of business...so far

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Originally posted by LinnTate:
Oh, mercy, Morris is getting roughed up today. He just left in the bottom of the third having given up four runs on top of three in the bottom of the second. While shaky outings are nothing completely new for Matty Mo, he did have a visit from the trainer while he was on the mound, which is worrisome.

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You mean Matt "Box of Chocolates" Morris? With this Matty Mo, you never know what you're gonna get: a shutout, or 7 earned runs in under 3 IP.

Watching David Wells getting people out with the garbage he's throwing is getting me angrier than a drinker stuck in a dry county.

If the Dodgers had the kinda year the Cards are having, I'd be screaming at the top of my lungs and feeling very confident. It's just that it seems so unpredictable, especially recently, to figure out who the champion will actually be, but any year it's not the Yanks is fine by me.

Not to draw attention too far away from the mess going on in San Diego at the moment, but the Astros just won their twelfth straight to tie the NL wild card.

I'm dubious they can stay this hot, but the Cubs best note that they are now TIED with their another National League Central rival. Though, on the other hand the Astros do have to face the Cardinals twice more and the Giants once, so the odds are still in the Cubs' favor.

But still.

Now Playing: 10-3 Padres, though the Cards just answered with a solo shot from Marlon Anderson in the top of the eighth...then again, Cody McKay is pinch-hitting...whoops! The pitch grazed his uniform...with Cody ahead of Pujols in the order, I'll take it!

It basically means nothing, but we won a game against the Cards which Ishii started! Is Rolen supposed to be really hurt? Later, Gators.

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Originally posted by mark f:
It basically means nothing, but we won a game against the Cards which Ishii started! Is Rolen supposed to be really hurt? Later, Gators.

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I admit: I fell asleep. West coast games go on WAY past my bedtime.

Initial reports are that Rolen hurt his shin, but the Cards site reports a "gastroc strain" behind the left knee. With a magic number in the single digits, I expect we'll see Rolen resting more and more these last few weeks.

From what I saw of the game, Beltre really made his case against the Cards MVP lineup. That homer off of Marquis (who's not easy to homer off) was HUGE.

OK, the Dodgers' starters have the WORST ERA in the league in Sept., and the Dodgers also haven't led a game all the way through in the last 35 games they've played! Somehow (if that's a word) , their magic number is five. They also won a series against the Giants in Sept., for the first time in five years. Let's see, I'm assuming a lot, but you Cards' fans, you're dying to play the LA Crumbbums? Good luck, if my team even makes it. Go, you lousy, ever-lovin', over-achievin' Bums!!

OK, LT, here's the Cards postseason ticket skinny:

Cards tix in the STL are gone. I was only able to get a pair of standing room seats to the NLDS Game Five, and that was after trying ALL DAY! They were totally sold out by 8pm.

BUT...if you want to gamble and take a road trip to Atlanta, you can get good seats to the NLCS in Atlanta right now.

I bought tix to Game Three at Turner Field (which will be either Game 5 or Game 6) hoping it will be Braves/Cards. If the Braves don't make it, you get a refund. If the Cards don't make it, you're stuck with the tix, but I figured I'd chance it. If it IS Braves/Cards, it'll be Game Five in Atlanta (if necessary) and it should fall on about the weekend of October 17-19.

The difficulty of scoring playoff tickets in St. Louis has been the topic of much conversation on my Cardinals mailing list. Apparently the max was set at twelve, which is pretty much a scalper's dream.

pE, you first suggested Turner for the playoffs. I don't know if I'm going to try to make round one, but that's still looking like the best option. I have two friends here in Bloomington that are recent transplants, so we might consider a road trip.

The sun rose this morning with me shaking my head over the Cubs' weekend in New York. Saturday afternoon's implosion in the bottom of the ninth and loss in the tenth and yesterday's loss makes me wonder if the Wild Card is still really theirs to lose. I mean, dropping two out of three to the Mets? The rest of the schedule theoretically favors the Cubs, but consider this. The Reds are going to be tougher to beat than the Mets, even at Wrigley. Also, the Cardinals travel to Houston this week. We've already started a reliever against the Rockies. Given the way injuries have finally caught up to us late in the season, I cannot believe LaRussa will be fielding our A team every night. Dropping a game or even two in the Juice Box is not out of the question.

The Cubs have their sights set on the Giants who are breathing down the necks of the Dodgers for the West as much as the Wild Card (it's going to be the Dodgers, mark), but they really ought to be looking over their shoulders at the Astros.

Now Playing: "Ode to the Big Sea" The Cinematic Orchestra Motion (Ninja Tune)

So the Angels suspended our second best player for the rest of the year in the heat of a division race...Wow! I'm still a little torn about this. Guillen certainly didn't fit the mold of the 2002 Angels - team before individual, and that's important. The Angels are not the station-to-station Bronx Bombers or the Buzz-Saw Red Sox. That team chemistry MUST play a huge role for the team to win. But it's tough giving up the 110 RBIs and 27 long balls with one week left of the season, sitting a game back of Oakland. Stoneman has a couple of churchbells down there. I hope it works out for us. (We've won our first two games without him playing amazing team ball, but we'll see how long the production lasts.)