Tonight's lineups, courtesy of Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Cardinals:

Lopez 3b

Jay rf

Pujols 1b

Rasmus cf

Craig lf

Schumaker 2b

Molina c

Hawksworth p

Ryan ss

Philadelphia:

Rollins ss

Polanco 3b

Ibanez lf

Howard 1b

Werth rf

Victorino cf

Ruiz c

Valdez 2b

Kendrick p

The Cards are playing the Phillies at the right time, though both teams have been plagued by injuries this year. After dropping three of four to the Chicago Cubs, the Phillies are likely craving wins. But the Cards have momentum coming off a four game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend. Plus, the pitching matchups favor the Cardinals: after Blake Hawksworth's start tonight, the Phillies will have to face the Cards' big three of Jaime Garcia, Chris Carpenter, and Adam Wainwright. Roy Halladay started the final game in Chicago on Sunday, so the Cardinals will not have to face him at all.

I say the Cards take three of four in this series.

For more on the Cards' sweep of the Dodgers, take a look at my column over at InsideSTL.

--Chris

Holy moly! Has it really been almost two months since my last post? Shame on me...but thank YOU for reading. Remember, you can still find my Cardinals column over at InsideSTL every Monday.

The big news in Major League Baseball over the weekend seems to once again revolve around Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals. With the All Star Game just around the corner, a semi-heated debate about whether Strasburg should be named to the team (pitchers aren't elected by fan vote) has started. I don't think he should be.

Don't get me wrong; I have bought into the Strasburg hype machine. I'm half-tempted to go out to Washington at the end of August to see him pitch against the Cardinals. If the Nationals hadn't already made their one trip to Busch Stadium this year, I'd already have tickets no matter what. Chicks may dig the long ball, but I get excited about dominating pitching--I'm still holding out hope that Jason Motte will harness his upper-90s heat enough to become the Cards' closer someday. Strasburg is the real deal, and he has the potential to become one of the most dominating starters for years to come. And that's great news for a Nationals team dying for success and relevance.

But the kid has made three starts. He'll make maybe three or four more before the game in Anaheim. Even if he wins them all with 10 Ks per start, does seven starts and 80 Ks make him an All Star? I just think it's way too early to put him in there. He doesn't deserve it yet. It would be akin to naming a September call-up Rookie of the Year. And remember a couple years back when Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers and some were advocating him being the NL MVP based on two months of great stats? OK, the Strasburg thing isn't quite that ridiculous. But it's in the same ballpark.

Maybe he is the best pitcher in the NL right now. And, believe me, I know the NL needs an All Star Game victory. But Strasburg would pitch a couple innings at the most...he's not going to be in there dominating the game and shutting down the AL for six or seven innings.

I just don't see why this is necessary now. He's not even allowed to stay in a game for more than 100 or so pitches. If he's not ready to pitch a complete game, how can he be ready to be an All Star?

Good evening and welcome to my blog. I've been lazy lately so I'm brainstorming ways I can post more often without devoting all of what little free time I have to this site (and others). So, without further ado, check out a couple of links:

• Head over to InsideSTL.com for my latest column: Big Test, Small Results.
• Over at C70, where the United Cardinal Bloggers' fearless leader resides, an epic has been constructed. Check out this ultra-comprehensive guide to the Cardinals' blogosphere.
• Pay the St. Louis Post-Dispatch a visit for these updates: Felipe Lopez hits the DL, Allen Craig heads back to AAA Memphis, and Tyler Greene and Jon Jay get the call to the Major Leagues according to The Commish. Also, here's tonight's starting lineups as the Atlanta Braves pay a visit to Busch Stadium to play the Cardinals. This is the first in a four game series. I get to go to tomorrow night's game--my first of the season!

--Chris

So I'm a fan of Bill Simmons over at ESPN.com. Even though he's an annoying and unapologetic Boston/American League homer, his writing is great. One of the better gimmicks he uses is the Running Diary, where he watches a sporting event and keeps an ongoing tab of the event and some of the things going on around him while he watches. When my friends talked me into taking a vacation day to join them in watching the Cardinals' first game of the year, I thought an homage was in order. I ended up throwing in some highlights from the Cubs' game too, for good measure. Away we go...

12:01.....Getting ready for the beginning of the game at my buddy Ken's house. Scott the Cubs fan is here too, wearing a Cubs hat and jersey and socks. That's right, Cubs socks. We'll call that "Cubs Fan Questionable Manhood Move"#1. I smoked some ribs this morning and we're getting ready to throw brats on the grill. First pitch is only a few minutes away. Merry Christmas, baseball fans.

12:08.....First pitch of 2010 is swinging strike to Skip Schumaker. I'll take this moment to list out today's starting lineup for the Cards:

1.       Schumaker - 2B

2.       Ryan - SS

3.       Pujols - 1B

4.       Holliday - LF

5.       Rasmus - CF

6.       Ludwick - RF

7.       Molina - C

8.       Freese - 3B

9.       Carpenter - P

12:13.....After Aaron Harang strikes out Schumaker and Ryan, Pujols jacks one over the wall in left center. Cards color analyst Al Hrabosky mentions how many home runs Pujols hit on the road last year, then asks how many he has today. That would be one, Al.

12:24.....Carpenter has little trouble with the Reds in the first, even though he had to learn what home plate umpire Mike Reilly's strike zone was. We'll see how consistent it is. Carpenter looked ticked after Joey Votto's single but settled down to get Brandon Phillips. Cards lead 1-0 after one.

12:44.....Hrabosky just commented that Carpenter has a great body...for a pitcher. Read into that what you will. Carp also had a conversation with the ump over the baseballs, reminiscent of the issue John Smoltz had last year in Cincy when the balls were not properly rubbed up. Stay tuned for more on that situation. So far we have two innings in the books and I have two tequila & OJs in the belly. Cards still lead 1-0 after two; more updates on my buzz a little later.

12:48.....More wisdom from Hrabosky, talking about how often Ryan will bat second: "Tony LaRussa likes power in that second hole." Dirty.

12:55.....Mention was made about the Reds' history. The first game in their franchise was played in 1869. Think about that...when they first played baseball, the Civil War was still a fresh memory. Their closer that year, ironically, was Al Hrabosky. By the way, Hrabosky's broadcast partner Dan McLaughlin just mentioned that the most important thing for a pitcher is getting a first-pitch strike. That was in response to Hrabosky saying that keeping the ball in the park and limiting walks are keys to effective pitching. These guys have done this before.

12:59.....Carpenter is dealing. He's struck out only two, but some of the Reds' hitters have looked completely lost when swinging at Carp's breaking pitches. Cards still up 1-0 after three.

1:14.....Rasmus just golfed a homer about 10 rows deep into right field, and a few hits later the Cards added another run. The highlight of the inning? Yadier Molina going first to third on a single. I may call CNN to get that on their Breaking News feed.

1:24......The Reds decided to start hitting and tacked on a couple solo home runs of their own (Votto & Rolen). But Carp gets out of the inning after giving up a couple more hits. Cards still lead, 3-2.

1:30.....Dan & Al talk about Pujols facing David Weathers of the Reds a couple years back and hitting his NL record-tying 5^th grand slam of the season. Scott the Cub Fan faults Reds manager Dusty Baker for the fateful move of inserting Weathers into the game. That's not a Cubs Fan Questionable Manhood Move, but Baker did manage the Cubs and likely destroyed both Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. No one else here cares. Oh, and another friend of ours, Jim, just showed up. I'm on my 5^th tequila & OJ (don't worry, they're tall and heavy on the juice). Life is good with friends, liquor, and baseball.

1:42.....Ryan, Schumaker and Pujols turn a nifty double play to end the fifth. It looks like Carpenter has settled back in. And Scott the Cub Fan continues to berate Dusty Baker every time he's shown on TV. Now it's officially Cubs Fan Questionable Manhood Move #2. Baker's not the only reason the Cubs suck, man.

1:46.....Baker pulled Harang after 5 innings. Scott's hatred-filled bashing of Baker continues. CFQMM #3 for not being over something that happend seven years ago. We seriously may have to punch this guy in the stomach soon, and the Cubs game hasn't even started yet.

1:54.....Scott the Cub Fan finally comes up with something useful after a particularly mindless exchange by the Cardinal broadcasters: "I don't know which is worse...Dan & Al arguing or Dan & Al getting along." I couldn't agree more. I'm about ready to find a radio and just deal with the 5 second delay.

1:56.....Rasmus robs Rolen of his second homer of the day. Colby went way up above the centerfield fence to bring the ball back. Play of the game and maybe of the day. Cards still up 4-2 after six.

2:02.....Pujols just hit his 2^nd home run of the day, a two run shot. Dusty Baker comes out to make a pitching change, and Scott the Cub Fan spits on the TV. CFQMM #4. I make another drink and plot his demise.

2:26.....After Dennys "Moons Over My Hammy" Reyes comes in and does his job, Jason Motte comes in and gives up hit after hit. Last year he earned the closer's job in Spring Training and blew the save on opening day, clearing the way for Ryan Franklin to become the closer and be an All Star doing it. Not real sure how Motte's status will be affected by today's performance. He eventually gets out of the inning after allowing only one run. Cards lead 6-3 after seven innings.

2:40.....Just broke the seal.

2:53.....That was one long 8^th inning. McClellan came in and did his best Jason Motte impression, giving up several hits and a run but getting out of the inning. These Reds are good, and the Cardinal bullpen is far from impressive so far. My tequila, on the other hand, has been quite impressive. I brought half a bottle over and it's gone. Time for bottle number two, which I will be sharing with my pals. Scott the Cub Fan has backed off his Dusty Baker soapbox but is now complaining because the Cardinal game is taking a long time and the Cubs game is starting soon.  What a jackass.

3:02.....Rasmus is up, and FSN just showed highlights from his big day. Right before the leaping catch where he robbed Rolen, the graphic said "Glovely." Wow. Scott the Cub Fan is mortified, and I cannot disagree. Our friend Dan has joined us, and two other buddies made a cameo about 20 minutes ago. Jim brought over his roommate's new puppy and it just threw up all over the garage floor. Quite a day in Belleville, IL.

3:05....Yadier Molina just hit the first Grand Slam of his career. Gotta love Opening Day. I think I need more tequila. This game is in the bag, and next I have to sit through a Cubs game.

3:18.....We're in the 9^th, and Ryan Franklin has given up two runs. Of course, Scott the Cubs Fan has him on his fantasy team, so now he's bitching about that too. I love this guy; he's one of my oldest friends. That's the only reason he's still alive.

3:20.....Franklin gets to a chopper and tosses to Pujols for the third out. Cards win, 11-6. Now we're flipping to the Cubs game, and I'm not sure if I'll continue this blog. I guess it will depend on our conversation and the way the game goes. But it's great to see the Cards get the win; it's their first Opening Day win since 2006...and we all remember how that year turned out.

4:17.....Well, the Cubs are getting shanked by the Braves but it's still relatively early. Rookie of the Year favorite Jason Heyward hit a home run--the first of many, I'm sure--in his first major league at bat. Carlos Zambrano was pulled after 1.1 innings and eight earned runs. But the story of the day here is that Scott the Cub Fan has changed Cubs hats like twenty times. We haven't killed him yet, but the plans have been drawn out. I'm halfway into my next fifth of tequila and feeling saucy. For a little more salt in the wound, the White Sox won their game today too (and pitcher Mark Buehrle took the "Play of the Day" honors from Rasmus with this gem). It's a bad day to be a Cubs fan...and it can only get worse from here. Cheers.

5:01.....The Cubs are still losing, and Scott the Cubs Fan is on his fifth hat (not exaggerating this time). You ever notice that people who root for terrible teams always find the most obscure things to blame their team's failures on? "Hey, guys...I wore the socks. But I cannot believe they're still losing! Maybe I should change my hat...again!" In other news, I'm feeling no pain. I think it would be wise to call a cab. Otherwise it will be a long, confusing walk home.

5:06......Samardija.

5:06.....Samarzjdia.

5:06.....Samardzija. There we go.

5:16.....Seven hats. SEVEN HATS!!! Cubs fans have issues.

*5:47 Scott the Cubs Fan Here (please hold your applause). This is ugly. All's I have to say is 162 games. We can do this. This is the year. *stifiling laughter*. It's a long season and the best scenario I can think of is Cards vs. Cubs in October.  All I hope for is a healthy, competitive season for both teams.

*5:50 I changed my mind. F the Cardinals. I hope Pujols gets hit in the nuts with a pickoff throw from Yadier Walton and is out for the season. I hate you all.

5:52......With that, I think it's safe to say Scott the Cubs Fan is wasted. In case you're wondering, the "Yadier Walton" thing references the TV show "The Waltons," who had a bunch of kids, and compares it to the trio of Molinas in MLB. Good one, dude. We've subdued him with a wiffle ball bat and he's in the corner chanting "Kerry Wood is the Savior...Kerry Wood is the Savior." I'm half in the bag, but I'm still coherent enough to realize that bad baseball is bad baseball. The Cubs lost this game and the Cards won theirs.  Opening Day was a success. I'm going to do another shot of tequila and look up the phone number to the closest cab company.

And there you have it. Definitely a fun afternoon. I have to add a disclaimer, just in case any kids or people with no sense of humor are reading: we did not bludgeon Scott the Cub Fan with a bat, and no one drove drunk. We like to have a good time, but we're not stupid. You shouldn't be either. Go Cards!

Welcome to the first Nooner of 2010!

I have today's Spring Training game on in the background while I work, and my lunch hour has proven to be rather eventful.

First, the good news: According to this article by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, LHP Jaime Garcia will be announced as the team's 5th starter for 2010 later today. I'm happy about this for a couple of reasons: having a lefty starter in the rotation is a great equalizer, and the fact that it's a guy that came up through the system only strengthens the validation for the Cards' "draft and develop" plans. Congrats, Jaime. Do us proud.

Now, the bad news: Yadier Molina came up lame running to third base in the second inning of today's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Early reports indicate it's a strained right oblique. Yikes. I'd imagine a catcher would have a pretty tough time coming back from this injury. Guess we'll see...

--Chris

The American League may be the better league, but it does not have a better brand of baseball. I am not a fan of the DH and its trickle-down effect on the AL style of play (i.e., no strategy at all). Regardless, this year's ALCS matchup is the one I felt was inevitable.

Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees This really is a battle between the two best teams in the AL. The Yankees once again loaded up on talent via trades and the free agent pool, landing Nick Swisher, AJ Burnett, Mark Texiera, and CC Sabathia in the offseason. The Angels took a strong core and added just a couple of missing pieces--namely Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes, and Scott Kazmir--to their seemingly bottomless well of homegrown major league talent.

Of course, the midseason trade for Kazmir probably wouldn't have been necessary if not for the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart at the beginning of the 2009 season. But Adenhart's death has become a rallying point for the Angels; they play with a sense of purpose and inspiration. Although they haven't been back to the World Series since winning it all in 2002, the Angels seem to be in the postseason (or at least in the race) every year. They're winners. 

The Yankees, for their part, are trying to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2003, their longest drought since they began their amazing run in 1996. And for all the talk about how the Yankees "buy their way" into the postseason every year, 12 of the players on their 25-man roster have been with the Yankees their entire careers, whether that be 15 years or two. And that doesn't count Hideki Matsui, who has only played for the Yankees in North America but had a great pro career in Japan first, or Andy Pettitte, who was brought back to his original team after several years with the Houston Astros.

This series, like all postseason series, will come down to pitching. Both of these teams can hit and score runs, and both can hang in a tight game. They have strong rotations and bullpens, top to bottom. But the Yankees have the equalizers: Sabathia is one of the best pitchers in the game, Pettitte is one of the best starters in postseason history, and Mariano Rivera is the best closer in postseason history. The Angels have answers in just about every other area but those three; unfortunately they happen to be the most important three of all. Yankees in six.

Well, I was 3 for 4 on my Guessology picks in the Division Series. Unfortunately, the one I guessed wrong is the one that hurts the most...my Cardinals got swept by the LA Dodgers. If you'd like to read my take on that series (or lack thereof), check out my column from last Sunday. 

OK, moving on...

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Ladies and gentlemen, we have a rematch! These two teams battled it out last year, with the Phillies taking the series in five games to earn a trip to the World Series. The teams obviously haven't changed much, so short memories could play a role in the demeanor of this NLCS. And the secondary stories are intriguing as well.

Dodger manager Joe Torre is trying to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2003 with the New York Yankees, and if he does he has a shot at facing his former club in  the Fall Classic. The Dodgers have also reunited Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome, who enjoyed a lot of success as teammates in Cleveland. Even though the Indians made a couple of World Series appearances in the 90's, they never could win it all. Ramirez eventually won a couple of rings with the Boston Red Sox, of course, and Thome just missed his chance by joining the Chicago White Sox in 2006. When they look across the diamond, they'll see former Dodger Pedro Martinez, scourge of both the Indians and Yankees a decade or so ago and Ramirez's teammate on the 2004 World Champion Red Sox.

The Phillies are up against a lot of history. They are trying to become the first NL team to win back-to-back World Series since the Cincinnati Reds did it over three decades ago in 1975-76. The Dodgers are hoping for a shot at their seventh world championship, and if they make it they'll have to battle some history as well...they will either be a part of the first ever all-Los Angeles World Series against the Angels, or they will re-kindle one of the longest and deepest World Series rivalries of all time against the Yankees.

These teams match up pretty well top to bottom. Both have big bats in the middle of their lineups. Both have deep benches. Both can play defense, steal a base or two, and scratch out a run with smallball. Overall, the Phillies have the better rotation and the Dodgers have the better bullpen. It's like a pick'em, really.

Pitching does win championships. The Phillies' rotation isn't vastly superior to the Dodgers', but it is better. The Dodgers' bullpen, however, is vastly superior to the Phillies'. When it comes down to it, a good starter can get you far...but a solid bullpen is essential to winning the four games it takes to finish off a seven game series. Dodgers in six.

Now that the AL Central Division has finally been clinched, the playoff matchups are set. That means it's time for some wild (but somewhat educated) guesses as to who will survive to play in the League Championship Series!

ALDS

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees: The Twins won a thrilling game to take the AL Central Division crown Tuesday night. Momentum may be on their side initially, but the Yankees are a juggernaut. They have superior pitching, superior hitting, and at least equal defense to the Twins. They also have home field advantage and a day of rest that the Twins will eventually wish they had. The Metrodome gets no more than a two-game stay of  execution, and even that may be generous. Yankees in three.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels: Again? These two teams seem to make a postseason meeting mandatory, and the Red Sox always seem to have the Angels' number. But all good things must come to an end. The Angels have a very solid team top to bottom. Their defense will be the difference in this series, and it won't be easy, but I think the Angels have more of a sense of purpose than the Red Sox this year. Angels in five.

NLDS

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies: This series could set a record for most runs scored in a five-gamer. The thin air in Colorado; the cozy confines in Philly...and both teams have a ton of offense. The pitching? Well, the Rockies' rotation is suspect with the injury to Jorge De La Rosa, and the Phillies' bullpen is terrible. In the end, I think the Phillies have more firepower...and if they put up a ton of runs the closer issues will be moot. Phillies in five.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: The two most storied franchises in the NL hook up for only the third time in playoff history. Neither team was great down the stretch. The Dodgers can do some damage on the basepaths, and manager Joe Torre isn't afraid to play smallball...but these situations can be countered with (if not nullified by) catcher Yadier Molina and the Cardinals solid if unspectacular infield. The Dodgers have the superior closer, but he's useless if they can't get a lead for him. Pujols. Carpenter. Wainwright. LaRussa. It's all too much for LA. Cardinals in four.

Stay tuned...we're just getting started, baby!