Cards going after Boomer

The Cardinals are going after David "Boomer" Wells, who is being shopped around by the Boston Red Sox.

No idea who we would give up in return. Maybe cash and a player to be named later?

UPDATE:
According to Bernie at his pressbox, Theo Epstein reportedly wanted Chris Duncan, Adam Wainwright, or Colby Rasmus for Wells. Walt immediately decided against pursuing the veteran lefty pitcher.

While I would love to have Wells, I would not be about to give up any of those three.

I'd love to get Barry Zito in a Cardinal uniform if we go after a lefty. He's an AL pitcher so he'd dominate the NL! Brandon Webb would be another guy I'd love to have on the Cards but he'd likely go to the Reds since Ashland is close to Cincy. But signing Zito, IMO, depends on what happens with Mulder since they are friends.

Cards vs. Marlins

The Cardinals take on the Florida Marlins for the next three games at Busch Stadium. This is the second and final series between the two teams in the 2006 season. Against teams in the east, the Cards are 13-12 overall, and 6-7 at home.

Just in case you are wondering, Gary Bennett is one of three players to win two consecutive games with a walk-off hit. The other two are Nomar Garciaparra and David Ortiz.

For the Cards to pass the century mark for the third year in a row, they'll have to go 31-2 the rest of the season. Last week's Mets series was the first since September 27, 2003, that the Cards faced someone with more wins then them.

Mark Mulder (6-6, 6.77 ERA) takes the start against Scott Olsen (10-7, 4.42 ERA).

Cardinals lineup
Preston Wilson RF
Scott Spiezio LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Aaron Miles SS
Gary Bennett C
Mark Mulder P

Today's game was rather depressing to where it makes you wonder whether Mulder should go back on the DL or just retire from baseball all together. It's sad when you have a pitcher who is of All-Star caliber go out like this. Mulder just hasn't been the same all year. The Cardinals need to win the next two games or it will be neck and neck with the Reds for the rest of the season. I saw the highlights during BBTN and you can tell that Mark Mulder is hurting. He's lost 4-6 miles per hour in his fast ball.

Florida 9, St. Louis 1
Losing pitcher - Mark Mulder (6-7)
HR: Preston Wilson (12)

Jim Edmonds is likely not to start on Wednesday.

Mark Mulder is likely to have season-ending surgery.

Wednesday
Cardinals Lineup
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Preston Wilson RF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Gary Bennett C
Jason Marquis P

Winning pitcher - Jason Marquis (14-12)
HR: Albert Pujols (39)

How they scored:
3RD - Aaron Miles out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Josh Willingham. Ronnie Belliard scores. Jason Marquis to 2nd. FLA 2-1
4TH - Preston Wilson doubles (24) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham. Scott Rolen scores. Juan Encarnacion scores. FLA 5-3
Jason Marquis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Willingham. Preston Wilson scores. Yadier Molina to 2nd. FLA 5-4
Aaron Miles reaches on fielding error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Yadier Molina scores. Jason Marquis to 3rd. TIE 5-5
5TH - Albert Pujols homers (39) on a line drive to left center field. STL 6-5
Preston Wilson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeremy Hermida. Scott Rolen scores. Juan Encarnacion to 2nd. STL 7-5
6TH - Juan Encarnacion out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Alfredo Amezaga. Aaron Miles scores. Chris Duncan to 3rd. STL 8-5
7TH - Chris Duncan singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alfredo Amezaga. Adam Wainwright scores. Aaron Miles to 3rd. STL 9-5
With Albert Pujols batting, wild pitch by Randy Messenger, Aaron Miles scores. Chris Duncan to 2nd. FLA 5-10
Albert Pujols doubles (27) on a fly ball to right fielder Jeremy Hermida. Chris Duncan scores. FLA 5-11
Scott Rolen doubles (42) on a fly ball to right fielder Jeremy Hermida. Albert Pujols scores. FLA 5-12
Juan Encarnacion singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham. Scott Rolen scores. FLA 5-13

So Taguchi had a double in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Cardinals 20 hits.

Thursday
Cardinals Lineup
Preston Wilson RF
So Taguchi LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Aaron Miles SS
Yadier Molina C
Jeff Suppan P

Mike Rose was called up today. He's a catcher and with Bennett injured right now, the Cardinals needed a backup.

The Cardinals won in a 4 run 8th inning following a superb performance by Jeff Suppan. Suppan went deep into the 7th inning, striking out 5, while allowing one run. Rookie Chris Duncan homered to lead off the 8th for his 15th home run of the season. Braden Looper picks up his 8th win--which shows there is no justice in baseball because Soup deserved a win with his outing. Jason Isringhausen picks up the save.

St. Louis 5, Florida 2
Winning pitcher - Braden Looper (8-1)
SV - Jason Isringhausen (32)
HR: Chris Duncan (15)

Milestone watch:
Albert Pujols needs 15 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Albert Pujols needs 3 runs to have his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 2 saves for 250 career saves.

Farm watch:
Anthony Reyes was named the PCL Player of the week for going 2-0 while striking out 17 in 13 innings.
Skip Schumaker is hitting .538 (7-13) for Team USA in the 2006 Olympic Qualifying Trials. He's scored 8 times.
Short stop Brendan Ryan has been promoted to the Memphis Redbirds and should be up with the Cards after Labor Day.
Mark McCormick debuted in high class A last night. He pitched two solid innings of a double header.
Cardinals Top 20 as ranked by DJ87.

Pujols 5

Ozzie, Mike, and the Bucks, you've got company!

Albert Pujols took the next logical step in the life of a St. Louis sports legend today, announcing the opening of his first restaurant at Patrick’s in Westport Plaza.

Patrick’s will be transformed beginning next week, scheduled to reopen as "Pujols 5" in early August. When finished, the 500-seat restaurant will feature 30 plasma screens with the capability of showing up to 12 sporting events simultaneously. Each table will be outfitted with a wireless speaker so patrons can choose which event they hear.

Parts of the menu have been redesigned by a former Neiman Marcus executive chef, with final approval given by Pujols and his wife, Deidre.

Gary Bennett

Here's an excited Cardinal

Cards vs. Cubs

Just in case this post gets swept away from blogger's system.

It's another round of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs. This time, action is in St. Louis. Cardinal fans have been down recently with a three game skid against the best team in the National League.

Take a look at the letters to Jeff Gordon

For most of the season, I’ve leaned toward advocating a rotation slot for Wainwright next season. But the more Jason Isringhausen fails in critical games, the more I wonder if Adam should take a shot at closing. The Cards could give him his trial this season and give Jocketty something to think about as he ponders changes for ’07.

I would play Duncan full-time unless he proved incapable of taking that workload. Again, Walt needs to know what the kid can do next year.

Plugging Reyes back into the rotation in September is a no-brainer. As for giving Edmonds his option and re-signing Mulder, well, those are pretty big risks when you consider their current state. If you commit more than $20 million to those two for ’07, that will make it difficult to upgrade the roster.

I'm all for keeping Jim Edmonds for some more seasons. CF wouldn't be the same without him. As to Mark Mulder, I honestly don't know. I liked his pitching a few years ago but I don't know what happened to him this season. If he just injured his shoulder and needs surgery, then I expect that he might be better next season. Chris Duncan is the real deal if you ask me. I want Wainwright in the rotation. And Izzy is Izzy.

The best news that I have heard all week is that Jim Edmonds is going to start tonight in center. The sad news is that Yadier Molina has some problems in his throwing elbow. The Cardinals are looking at an extra infielder when rosters can expand.

La Russa held a meeting with his coaches Thursday to compile a list of possible September call-ups when rosters can expand. Obvious selections are pitcher Anthony Reyes and outfielder John Rodriguez. A third catcher will be added. The Cardinals also plan to call up an infielder and, La Russa said, Bo Hart is in the discussion.

And how is it that Cardinals management didn't even notice St. Louis native Ryan Howard?

The Cardinals need to sweep the Cubs with hope that San Francisco can manage to avoid being swept by the Reds.

Milestone Watch:
Albert Pujols needs 16 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Albert Pujols needs 7 runs to have his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 4 saves for 250 career saves.

Postgame
Jason Isringhausen needs 3 saves for 250 career saves.
August 25
St. Louis 2, Chi. Cubs 0
Winning pitcher - Jeff Suppan (10-7)
SV - Jason Isringhausen (31)

Saturday on FOX.
Chris Carpenter (12-6, 3.05) vs. Rich Hill (3-6, 6.44)
The last time that we faced Rich Hill, he lasted 3.1 innings and Tyler Johnson blew the save. Edmonds went 2-3 with a run that game yet Tony is sitting him today.

Cardinals Lineup
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Preston Wilson RF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Gary Bennett C
Chris Carpenter P

The FOX Chevrolet player of the game is Gary Bennett who delivered in the clutch in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Bennett, playing in the catcher's position due to Molina's injury, has been outstanding in the past few days. He hit is 3rd home run in a week!

Chris Carpenter helped himself going 2-2 with singles. Carp goes eight innings, striking out five, and left with cramps in the calf. He left with a no-decision, lowering his ERA to 2.97. His ERA got as low as 2.93 in the game before giving up a home run to Phil Nevin to tie it up. Carp is now in second in the ERA standings. The Cards are now up a game and a half in the standings.

August 26
Winning pitcher - Randy Flores (1-1)
HR: Gary Bennett (3)

Sunday (ESPN Sunday Night Baseball)
Cardinal lineups:
Preston Wilson RF
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Miles SS
Gary Bennett C
Jeff Weaver P

Here's an update on the pitching situation for next season. I honestly like the idea of bringing back Jeff Suppan next season, just like I did for Matt Morris last off-season.

I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW. I DON'T FRICKIN' BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW!

How about Gary Bennett?!? Walk off home run for Gary Bennett! We have swept the Cubs despite some bad plays in the infield and outfield and some bad pitching too. Weaver had a solid start if you take out the bad play by Juan but, wow, Gary Sno Cones Bennett!!! It was Bennett's fourth home run in a week and the third against the Cubs this season.

Winning pitcher - Braden Looper (7-1)
HR: Gary Bennett (4)

Updated Milestone Watch:
Albert Pujols needs 16 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Albert Pujols needs 6 runs to have his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 3 saves for 250 career saves.

Bill DeWitt, Jr. calls out team

DeWitt says that they are underperforming.

Cards vs. Mets

Let's actually take one from them today! I'm hopeful that Gold Glove center fielder Jimmy Edmonds starts today. We could really use his bat.

Jason Marquis (13-11, 5.70) takes the mound against former Red Dave Williams (2-3, 6.90)

Here's some trivia, only three opening day starters started yesterday (Molina, Rolen, Pujols).

The bullpen is 16-16 with a 4.03 ERA with 33 saves in 48 opportunities.

For those of you that are not in the FSN Midwest viewing area, you can watch the game on ESPN2.

Lineups
STL:
Ronnie Belliard, 2B
So Taguchi, LF
Albert Pujols, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Juan Encarnacion, CF
Preston Wilson, RF
Aaron Miles, SS
Gary Bennett, C
Jason Marquis, P

NYM:
Jose Reyes, SS
Paul LoDuca, C
Carlos Beltran, CF
Carlos Delgado, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Shawn Green, RF
Jose Valentin, 2B
Endy Chavez, LF
Dave Williams, P

Milestone Watch:
Albert Pujols needs 16 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Albert Pujols needs 7 runs to have his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 4 saves for 250 career saves.

They were just talking about the MVP race on BBTN
Jeff Brantley - Pujols
Tino - Howard
Tim - Howard

St. Louis 2, N.Y. Mets 6
Losing pitcher - Jason Marquis (13-12)
HR: Gary Bennett (2)

Why Walt?!?

Personally, I hope that this Bill Madden character is lying. I don't see anyway how this team could afford to take a payroll cut unless players are signing with a hometeam discount just because it's St. Louis.

The Cardinals are a team that is suddenly leaking everywhere while the upstart, underwhelming Cincinnati Reds hang tough on their heels in the National League Central. The Cardinals' need for another outfield bat is best evidenced by the fact that their three big run producers, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds have been together in the starting lineup only 61 of their 125 games. Edmonds, suffering from post concussion syndrome, has been limited to only pinch-hitting and pinch-running cameos in recent days, and his status the rest of the year is questionable.

But the $20 million the Yankees were willing to absorb on Abreu was entirely out of the question for the Cardinals as was even the $6 million Green would have cost them. Jocketty will only say he has "budget constraints," but the fact is, Cardinal ownership is on the hook for $340 million in out-of-pocket construction costs on the new Busch Stadium, which is nevertheless sold out just about every game. At a shade under $90 million, Jocketty isn't being allowed to add to his payroll and, chances are, he will have to even reduce it over the winter. You can be certain that even though the Mets and Yankees are doling out twice as much as the Cardinals for their new stadiums, there will no similar constraints on their GMs.

As a result, while Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya have been able to do their shopping for the postseason at the high-end counter, Jocketty has had to resort to the retread market. In pitchers Jeff Weaver and Jorge Sosa, outfielder Preston Wilson and his latest pickup, old friend Jose Vizcaino, who arrived last night, Jocketty has signed four players who were released. And, trust us, there was sufficient reason for their being released.

How will he reduce it? Bring up minor leaguers who would make the league minimum?

Believe me, I want players that will put 110% in like Jim Edmonds, Pujols, Rolen, and Carpenter. I want a GM that will sign players that won't be DFA'd halfway through the season.

Pregame Report

The St. Louis Cardinals have added Jose Vizcaino to the roster. He'll be taking jersey #35. Mulder is expected to come off the DL, and with Eckstein going to the DL, my guess is that Timo Perez is the one who gets sent down to Memphis.

Former President Bill Clinton attended last night's game and I imagine he was pulling for the Cardinals. With his wife being a Cubs fan, it is interesting to note that that marriage has actually worked out...

"We grew up with the Cardinals," Clinton said as he stopped outside of the visitors' clubhouse. "I go way back. I'm so old, I remember Harry Caray calling the Cardinal games. There weren't any baseball teams in Texas back then. So we had KMOX and (a Chicago station). I remember I did all my homework listening to the Cardinals."

Clinton and his brother, Roger, attended Tuesday's game between the Cardinals and the New York Mets, and the former president implied the Cardinals' presence was at least a part of the inspiration to attend a ballgame. About an hour before first pitch, Clinton entered the Cardinals clubhouse.

He circled the room, shook hands and signed baseballs.

"It was an honor to meet him," pitcher Chris Carpenter said.

Clinton, whose wife Hillary Rodham Clinton is a Senator from New York and a well-publicized Chicago Cubs fan, said that when he watches television all he watches are "sports and movies." Before entering the clubhouse, Clinton posed for a picture with Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen. He then spoke for a while with Lt. General Franklin "Buster" Hagenbeck, the superintendent of West Point.

Sporting a polo shirt with a Cardinals' logo on it, Lt. General Hagenbeck had spent batting practice chatting with Cardinals' officials, including La Russa and general manager Walt Jocketty.

Hagenbeck told Clinton how he became a Cardinals fan, and the president said he and his brother grew up listening to Cardinals games.[...]

"Stan Musial came to the White House once," Clinton told a group that included Hagenbeck. "Musial taught me how to crouch to hit."

Mark Mulder takes the start this evening. His record stands at 6-5 with a depressing 6.09 ERA. He'll start against the Mets' Steve Trachsel (12-5, 4.79), best known for giving up home run 62 to Mark McGwire in September 1998.

Mazel tov to the family of Jason and Debbie Marquis on the birth of Andrew Michael Marquis on Jason's 28th birthday this past Monday.

Milestone Watch:
Albert Pujols needs 16 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Albert Pujols needs 7 runs to have his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 4 saves for 250 career saves.

Post game recap:
Again, with the game on the line, why does TLR decide pinch hit So Taguchi for Chris Duncan? For starters, Mark Mulder was about as bad as pitchers get today. I honestly think that he needs shoulder surgery or somthing because he couldn't even last five innings and was pounded.

Jose Vizcaino went yard for the second time this season. Preston Wilson hit his 11th and made the #1 web gem on Baseball Tonight. Scott Rolen hit his 19th.

Farm Watch:
Reyes went six innings, striking out nine. Where was that Reyes in the majors?!?

St. Louis 8, N.Y. Mets 10
Losing pitcher - Mark Mulder (6-6)
HR: Scott Rolen (19), Jose Vizcaino (2), Preston Wilson (11)

Cards in Queens

The Cardinals are visiting Shea Stadium in Queens, New York for a three game series against the NL East division leader.

Cardinal fans should keep an eye on Vernon Wells during the off-season should Jim Edmonds' option not get picked up. I'm hoping Jocketty buys out the option and negotiates a new contract.

When it comes to drafting new players, the Cards are one of the best out there.

Albert Pujols is in the same league as Babe Ruth.

Jeff Weaver takes on John Maine today.

The Cardinals starting lineup hasn't changed much since Eckstein and Edmonds are not starting.
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Preston Wilson RF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Yadier Molina C
Jeff Weaver P

Milestone watch:
Albert Pujols needs 18 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Albert Pujols needs 2 RBI and 9 runs to have his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 4 saves for 250 career saves.

Postgame report:
Pujols accounted for the RBI's tonight as he belted a three-run home run and a grand slam in back to back innings. Unfortunately, Jason Isringhausen gave up a home run to blow the save in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jeff Weaver was pitching strong until the 5th inning when he gave up a grand slam to Carlos Delgado.

In the standings, we are only up by ONE game since the Reds have been winning lately.

Pujols, with his 37 and 38th home runs, is 16 homers away from tying Ken Boyer for second place with the club. He now has 105 RBI and is seven runs shy of the stat above.

St. Louis 7, N.Y. Mets 8
Losing pitcher - Jason Isringhausen (4-7)
HR: Albert Pujols (37, 38)