Continued Cause for Concern

OK, it’s not just the Cardinals.  The Yankees lost last night to the Royals.  The Dodgers just finished losing three of four to the Pirates and lost to the Padres last night.  Playoff teams are losing to the bottom rung of teams. Still, the Cardinals have now been outscored 13-3 in two games in Great American Ballpark.  So you name it, there’s a concern about it.  (Save maybe relief pitching–that’s done pretty well the last couple of nights.)

John Smoltzhad a very rough night, walking batters and allowing a grand slam for his worst outing since he came to St. Louis.  Apparently, there were other issues at play as well.

As I said last night on the UCB Radio Hour, it’s one thing to have this issue with the baseballs.  It’s coming from Smoltz as well as the manager and staff, so there is probably something to it.  When it comes on the heels of Chris Carpenter complaining about the mound in Colorado, though, it starts to take on the air of persecution and/or excuse making.  I’m not saying that they are, especially when the pitchers involved are the ones really bringing it up, but it seems problematic that you have these two issues within five days of each other.

Notice that Dave Duncan, in the above story, didn’t have a problem calling Bronson Arroyo a cheater.  Dunc’s always been plainspoken, but I wonder if he feels a little more free to do this kind of thing because he’s not going to be here next year and doesn’t have to worry so much about repercussions.  Probably not, but you wonder.

Anyway, if the issue with Smoltz last night was due to just the slick baseballs, it’s a little less troublesome.  With the rotation after Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright struggling somewhat, it’d be nice to have the earlier Smoltz back, but we won’t be able to know until the playoffs unless he gets some relief work in.

Hero tag goes to Albert Pujols, for his two hits and the lone RBI.  When the whole team only manages five hits , it’s not hard to find the top offensive producer.
In other news, it looks like the rotation is set for the NLDS.  Also, the sun will be coming up in the East tomorrow.  If you are surprised that it’s Carpenter, Wainwright and Joel Pineiro, you’ve not been paying much attention to St. Louis this season.
More interesting in that link was the note that there was a meeting with the “impatient hitters” of the club, noting Colby Rasmus, Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel and Brendan Ryan.  Mark DeRosa helped run the meeting with the hitting coaches.  Looking at last night’s game, Colby drew a walk and got a hit, but he and Ludwick still struck out.  It’s good to see them start to address the problem, though.  Putting the ball in play will help a lot to get this offense on track, I think.

Afternoon game today (which means the last regular season Fox Sports Midwest live blog ).  Lots of lasts, really.  The last road game of the season.  The last time we have to deal with Dusty Baker (anyone want to bet on someone being thrown at today?).  The last time we get to see Chris Carpenter in the regular season, as he tries to burnish his Cy credentials.  Plus, the Cardinals get to face old friend Kip Wells, one of the reasons I started blogging in the first place.  Should be a lot of fun!

Daniel Shoptaw is the founder of “C70 At The Bat,” where he regularly writes about his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.  You can find more of his work here .