The Bird’s Are Red, Pujols is HOT

The St. Louis Cardinals are on fire. They currently sit atop on the National League with the great record of 36-25. The Bird’s are winning despite nothing going the way things ought to. Where to start?

Albert Pujols is in his last year in his contract. Arguably the greatest player in baseball and without a doubt one of the greatest player in St. Louis’ franchise, may not be returning to St. Louis to play ball, (I know the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach as well). As far as the public knows, (supposedly we know nothing), Pujols is asking for a 10-year contract and $30 million; the Cardinals just won’t give it to him. So, there’s supposed to be a little animosity in the clubhouse? From an outside perspective, I don’t see it. Pujols has been in only the worst slump of his career, until this weekend. Welcome back to the throne, Prince Albert. In the past two games, Pujols was the hero in extra innings, against the Chicago Cubs, in front of his home crowd, punishing the leather off the ball sending it over the fence. I’ve never seen anyone hit two game-winning homeruns in back to back games, and to make it better, it was against the Cubs!

Next downfall for the Cards this season was losing ace pitcher Adam Wainwright. As soon as that information was released, you could almost hear the air being sucked out of Busch Stadium. What a loss for the organization? Pitching Coach Dave Duncan had spend so much time building a tremendous bullpen and it was slowly deteriorating right in front of him. Who was going to step up and fulfill the role? Well, even though Chris Carpenter is pitching well, his record sure isn’t doing him justice, (1-5). The top three winning pitchers for the Birds are Kyle Lohse, Jamie Garcia and Kyle McClellan. Hey, even though these guys may not be All-Stars, I’ll take that. If you would’ve told me, the Cardinals are where they are and Chris Carpenter is 1-5, and All-Star closer Ryan Franklin has virtually single-handed taken himself out of baseball, I would have said you’re crazy.

Did I mention the Skipper himself has been placed on the DL this season? Tony LaRussa’s “reaction,” (still not convinced that’s what it was), made his face look like the mob took baseball bats to his moneymaker. Not to fear, LaRussa made a swift recovery and was calling the shots as soon as he could.

Now, we have Matt Holiday listed on the disabled list for a strained left quad. But, the Cardinals won’t let that come as an excuse. Though, Holiday is one of the best players on the team this season hitting .342 and leading the National League batting race, his teammates are filling in his shoes. Lance “The Big Puma” Berkman has become an instant favorite in St. Louis. Berkman has revived his career and turned St. Louis fans from his biggest haters to his biggest fanatics within a year. Ryan Theriot has stepped up with his bat, nursing a 19-game hitting streak. Theriot came up with a huge double yesterday in the bottom of the 9^th inning extending the game to extra innings. John Jay, Colby Ramsus, and Yadier Molina all have lifted their games this season.

Bottom line, nothing could make St. Louis fans happier than to see Pujols high-stepping his way to a home plate full of the Cardinals cheering for him, meanwhile, hearing Carlos Zambrano whining and complaining about his Cubs teammates not being good enough. Go Cards!