The Cardinals are off to a great start at 6-3. They had run off five consecutive wins and had a great chance on Tuesday night to make it six in a row, but they squandered a three-run lead, a two-run lead, and a great chance to retake the lead in the top of the ninth. The Cards had the bases loaded with just one out with two runs in, but Tony La Russa opted to pinch hit with Brendan Ryan instead of Ryan Ludwick. Ryan went on to fan at three pitches, only one of which was in the strike zone. Ankiel batted next and looked just as bad striking out. Ludwick never batted and St. Louis went on to lose 7-6 in 10 innings. La Russa's micro-managing has driven me crazy for years, but it's starting to be too much. If it was the sixth inning, I could see saving Ludwick for a critical situation later in the game. But this was the ninth. If Ludwick bats and even just manages a sac fly, the Cards would've taken the lead and been just three outs away from victory. If you have a huge weapon on the bench, you use it at the critical time, right? Well, La Russa doesn't seem to think that's the way to play it. He's always trying to save guys for situations that don't happen because he doesn't get there. He did the same thing in the 2007 All-Star game with the bases juiced and Albert Pujols on the bench. He chose to go with a first timer instead, who went on to make the final out of the game.
The worst part of Tuesday's loss was that Chris Carpenter got injured. It seemed like it would just be a matter of time after the Cardinals' management opted not to sign any starting pitchers as an insurance policy in case Carp or some other starter went down. Brad Penny for $5 million is looking pretty good right now. Even if his injury isn't serious, the Cards still don't have many options in the minors if he has to go on the DL. Carp was scheduled to pitch next on Sunday against the Cubs and they don't have any off days until Monday, so pushing someone back a day that's already in the rotation isn't an option. It's still early in the season, but the Cards can't afford to give the Cubs a head start during the four-game set. If Carpenter misses a lot of a time, this could be another season down the tubes.
Being at Scottrade Center on Friday was the most electric sporting even I've been to since Games 6 and 7 of the 2004 NLCS. The sellout crowd was fired up from the start and so were the Blues. The game wasn't even five minutes old before I started to lose my voice, thanks to Andy McDonalds' power play goal at 3:19 of the first. As soon as the Blues got a four minute power play less than a minute and a half later, I could tell this was the turning point in the game. If we scored, it would probably give us enough momentum to carry us through the remainder of the game. If Columbus could manage to kill off both minors, the momentum could have immediately swung back the other day. Luckily for the Blues, Big Walt came through with a deflection to give St. Louis a 2-0 lead. The teams traded goals in the second and went on to play a scoreless third. Everyone was on their feet for the last minute and a half of play. This was the first time I'd seen the Blues clinch anything live. I'm hoping I can go for a two-fer and see us take down the Canucks in six games.
As most of you probably know by now, the Blues have the best record in the NHL since January 3rd, so anything is possible with this club. That even includes getting Paul Kariya back midway through the first round. His return would allow St. Louis to add another skill player while sitting Dan Hinote. Hinote's been a valuable member of the team as a penalty killer, but the Blues have plenty of other forwards that can kill penalties. As long as Brad Boyes isn't on the penalty kill, I'll feel pretty good about our chances. The Blues split the season series with Vancouver and although they were shutout in their only road game against the Canucks in which goalie Roberto Luongo played, they managed to score four in both home games against him. This tells me that the Blues absolutely must hold serve in their home games. Plus, he's been Oshied before (voted goal of the year on NHL.com), he can be Oshied again. If we can steal one of the first two in Vancouver, we should be able to move on. Blues in six.
Other Western Conference Series Picks:
Sharks over Ducks in 7 (where have you gone J.S. Giguere?)
Red Wings over Blue Jackets in 6 (Chris Osgood will put up a fight against the Red Wings. Yes, you read that correctly.)
Blackhawks over Flames in 6 (Youth over experience, as the Flames have been tanking lately)
Eastern Conference Series Picks:
Bruins over Canadiens in 5 (I don't think Carey Price is ready to make a run quite yet)
Capitals over Rangers in 6 (Ovechkin has more star power than the Rangers' entire roster)
Devils over Hurricanes in 7 (This is a popular upset pick, but I just can't pick against Marty Brodeur)
Penguins over Flyers in 7 (I think Pittsburgh has the goaltending advantage. And a couple of guys named Crosby and Malkin)
