| STL |
7 |
8 |
2 |
11 |
| DET |
2 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask trailer |
4 |
2 |
6 |
• Reyes is a pimp. This is the kid we saw his first four starts of the year, including the phenomenal game on the Southside when he went eight (complete) and gave up one hit – a homer to Jim Thome. It appears that early in his career he’s shaping up to be a big game pitcher; not that the last game of the season wasn’t big, but his NLCS turn wasn’t bad (save the whole “tipping your pitches” thing,) and now he comes up huge here. He has to just watch that he doesn’t turn into a Brandon Backe or Josh Beckett.
Just one complaint: Tony pulled him too soon. With a five run lead, trust the kid to finish the game since he can hardly get you in that much trouble. I don’t think it’ll cost anything in the long run (hell, my immediate reaction was “pull him” until I thought for a second,) but I’d rather build confidence in the kid so game five can be a potential repeat.
Moose Hunters trailer • 3-4-5 is why the Cards were swept in ‘04 and lost to the Astros last year. Pujols produced okay (just ask Brad Lidge,) but had no support, as Rolen and Edmonds sleepwalked through the playoffs. It wasn’t even that they seem frustrated, but that they didn’t seem to care.
Now, Rolen seems pissed.
He murdered that ball, and I think it’s because he’s taking his anger out on it. Anger at Tony, anger at his injury, anger at the media (like USA Today predicting “Detroit in three”,) whatever – he’s absolutely possessed and the fact that he got another hit later in the game makes this two solid contests in a row and a big monkey off his back.
Edmonds still has a way to go, but he looked sharper. Certainly having him in the cleanup spot is a better fit than Encarnacion, who’s patient at the plate and would be a better fit for the two-hole when the series returns to 420 South Eighth and the Cards lose the DH.
• Molina stayed sharp, as did Taguchi even if neither of them mirrored their previous impact. Eckstein’s struggles concern me, but I don’t think he’s completely healed. Nor is Pujols, but he smells the ring and he’ll play fine through the pain.
• Belliard’s hair Virtuosity film completes the “puppy” look. Now we know that he’s a poodle.