You know what’s happened the past two days, so I won’t bother to recap. I also won’t come out and say this is the beginning of the end, but here are three reasons why this is the beginning of the end:

• The Cardinals starting pitchers for the next two games will be Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer. That’s not all that bad, but the Brewers starters for the next two games will be CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. I hate to be too pessimistic, but it looks like our beloved Redbirds are going to get swept at home, and that can’t be too good for morale.
• The injury situation is getting worse, not better. Wainwright is still likely three weeks away from returning, according to the Post-Dispatch. Carpenter is scheduled to for another rehab start, but in light of the comments he made after his last start he won’t be coming back until at earliest mid-August either.

Even worse news, Chris Duncan is now headed to the DL. Who will get to hit into double plays and play atrocious left field? While that may not be that big of a deal (and actually a blessing), news of Colby Rasmus injuring his knee is a big deal. The good news is Rasmus won’t be traded now, the bad news is he may not play again this year.

• This pitching staff is breaking down. While the bullpen has been a huge problem for a while now, Viva El Birdos points out the offense hasn’t been much better. In fact, from the fourth inning on they’ve been absolute crap. As for the pitching, trading for George Sherrill and hoping the two aces return before September isn’t going to be enough.

Again, I’m saying those are the reasons this is the beginning of the end without saying it, if you know what I mean. This team has surprised everyone and they could rebound from all that has gone wrong in the past couple of days to prove me wrong. Here’s hoping they do.

I Hate Bill Hall

Not only has Bill Hall won the past games against St. Louis, he also ruined my fantasy team last season.

Going into 2007, there was nothing not to like about Hall. He was in the prime of his career (27 years old) and coming off a ridiculous 2006 (.270, 35 HRs, 85 RBIs). Not only that, but he was eligible at SS, 3B and OF. What’s not to like?

I drafted Hall late in the second round, being the aggressive fantasy baseballer that I am. In case you missed it, Hall sucked in ‘07, hitting only 14 home runs (and batting only .254).

I’m a forgiving guy, I mean I now root for Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus, so I have to be. But after watching Hall completely waste his talent for the past year and a half, and then to have him win consecutive games against the Redbirds is too much. You’re dead to me, Hall. I know that sounds harsh, but you brought it upon yourself.

My favorite site for the next week and a half, MLB Trade Rumors, put together a list of the LOOGY market, and I’m a little taken aback by what teams are asking for their situational relievers. Brian Fuentes is an All-Star caliber reliever, but that the Rockies asked for Clay Buchholz in return for him is ridiculous. If it’s that much of a sellers market, I’d just as soon stick it out with Villone and Flores.

Need more insanity? Apparently the Rangers are interested in Jess Todd, with the Cards looking at Eddie Guardado. Todd isn’t the most highly thought-of prospect, some have doubts about his ability to start in the majors. But it seems that barring some major injury, not only will he pitch in the majors but he will be a very valuable arm. In his first full pro season, he is 6-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 16 starts with Palm Beach and Springfield.

And what would the Cards get for that? A 37-year-old reliever who spent last year injured and struggling (though he has been good this season)? That leaves a little to be desired.

There is good news, though. Citing an article from the Beaver County Times and Allegheny Times Online, the LOOGY article also says the Pirates (owners of two LOOGY’s likely to be traded - Damaso Marte and John Grabow) have interest in Chris Duncan and Alan Reyes. As much as I think both those players will eventually once again be productive players, I think I speak for a lot of Cardinals fans when I say it’s time for them to move on - while they have some value. Duncan isn’t hitting enough to earn a spot in the outfield and Reyes doesn’t appear to work well with pitching coach Dave Duncan.

One last trade link, this one from Athletics Nation. Looks like the A’s are really getting into that rebuilding spirit, and this piece advocated the trading of Mark Ellis/Bobby Crosby, Justin Duchscherer, Alan Embree, and Huston Street for Colby Rasmus. Wow.

I’m against the trading of Rasmus, but damn, if St. Louis were to trade him this would be the kind of package that would be worth it. The trade not only addresses the Cardinals LOOGY problem, but also their closer problem, starting pitching problem and middle infield problem. Of course we do all remember the last time we traded with Billy Beane…

Bird Droppings

• Cardinals Diaspora isn’t thrilled with the performance by the bullpen in yesterday’s tough loss, or their performance all season long.
• Speaking of unsatisfactory pitching, Mitchell Boggs is back in St. Louis.
• Jeff Suppan is returning from the DL tonight to pitch against his former team.
• Two of my favorite things, Viva El Birdos and Baseball Prospectus, and one disturbing theory: help isn’t on the way.

But Saturday and Sunday’s games were each incredibly encouraging. St. Louis had no business winning either of them, trailing by five early on Saturday and losing late yesterday only to come back and then - inexplicably - turn the game over to the human gas can known as ‘Izzy’.

Yes, the Cardinals should be beating up on the Pittsburgh’s and San Diego’s of the MLB, but that doesn’t make this feel any less satisfying. Beat the teams you should, play .500 ball against the elite teams and everything will work out. Now on to one of those elite teams - the Brewers.

Redbirds With Injured Wings

Never has a four inning, one-hit performance been so disappointing.

Chris Carpenter made his long-awaited rehab assignment with Springfield Sunday night, and though his final line looked good (except for four walks), Carpenter was not all that optimistic about an early return to the major league team.

“I’m going to go by my stuff,” he said. “And obviously command of my fastball today is not where it needs to be.”

Of his 60 pitches, 31 were strikes. His fastball topped out at 92 MPH and he was regularly in the 86-89 MPH range according to the Post-Dispatch article.

His next step probably will be a Friday start at Class AAA Memphis, pending a conversation today with manage Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and general manager John Mozeliak.

“The big thing is how he feels tomorrow,” Mozeliak said Sunday night. “Having him pitch within a five-day rotation is certainly our preference.”

Carpenter has missed 53 turns since experiencing elbow swelling following an abbreviated 2007 opening day assignment. Based on Sunday’s outing, his return will have to wait at least two more turns.

As much as the Cards need Carpenter in their rotation, they need a healthy Carpenter. All of us can remember what happened the last time we rushed a pitcher back from injury (see: Mark Mulder, who has recently been prescribed a new medicine - rest).

Now back to our other injured pitcher - the mentally ruined Jason Isringhausen. Why continue to put this guy in game-deciding situations? I get that the pitching staff has been slowly melting down for a while now, but bringing Izzy back and praying he gets his closer’s touch back is not the answer.

Cardinals Diaspora has the right idea:

The Izzy experiment has to be put to rest. DL him until the 40-man roster on September 1 and let him get some mop-up work in to save face for a contract with someone else next season, but please- please- stop running him out there in pressure situations.

For the Love of All That is Good Please Let’s Make a Deal

The inhabitants of Oz continue to beg this team to make a trade, yet nothing has been done so far.

In case you missed it this weekend, the Brewers made another trade, this time getting Ray Durham from the Giants for two minor leaguers - Steve Hammond, a 26-year-old starter who was a hot prospect two years ago, but a pitcher who has struggled since, and Darren Ford, a 22-year-old outfielder with speed and little else. The Cardinals couldn’t have topped that offer?? Good thing Aaron Miles is hitting .330 right now, I’m sure he’ll keep that up…

Even those outside of the Wizard’s jurisdiction are insisting this team must make a move if they are serious about contending this season. MLB Trade Rumors is reporting the Cardinals reliever search has been narrowed to Ron Mahay and Brian Fuentes. Mahay has pitched way over his head this season for the Royals, going 5-0 with a 1.78 ERA in 50.2 innings. Fuentes is pretty close to his career norms, with a 3.23 ERA and 16 saves so far for the Rockies. Fuentes should be more expensive, but a much better option.

While the bullpen needs to be addressed, so does the starting rotation. We should no longer assume Carpenter is coming back this season, and at our healthy best now the rotation would be Wainwright/Lohse/Looper/Wellemeyer/Piniero. Doesn’t exactly compare to the Cubs and Brewers, does it?

I also love what we’re getting out of Aaron Miles, but to expect this to continue to go on is ridiculous. Even with him hitting out of his mind, there is still a gaping hole in this lineup, no matter how many times you throw out Brendan Ryan, Ceasar Izturis and Adam Kennedy. Uhhh, Durham would have been nice.

We’re down to 10 days, let’s hope we get more out of this trade deadline than a left-handed reliever.

I not only remember Scott Radinsky, but I love the guy. I’m one of the 8 to 10 people (possibly more) who was not only a huge Cardinals/baseball fan when he was an active major leaguer, but a huge fan of West Coast/skate punk rock in the 90s (NOFX was at their prime, Lagwagon was/is one the greatest bands of all-time, Pennywise, etc., etc.).

Anyway, Radinsky just happened to be the lead singer of a couple of great punk rock bands, Ten Foot Pole and Pulley. I was probably 15 when I found this out, so there was a couple month period when Scott Radinsky was unquestionably my favorite MLB player (this was, of course, after Ozzie Smith’s retirement).

Now the real question is why do I bring this up now? Well, Hugging Harold Reynolds posted an interview with Radinsky Wednesday and, what can I say, I just wanted to reminisce.

[youtube mYCJsWuGWmI]

Bird Droppings

• Brian Barden and Colby Rasmus were named to Team USA on Wednesday. Awesome, now I have a reason to watch the Olympics. In all seriousness, congrats to them.

• An interesting interview yesterday in the Post-Dispatch with team chairmen Bill DeWitt Jr. On a possible trade: “We’ve got room to add payroll if it would be something to improve our club. But, again, you don’t see teams moving payroll just for the sake of moving payroll.”

• Back to the All-Star game I ripped into Wednesday. I saw on SportsCenter that more than 60 percent of people voted the game as an ‘Instant Classic’ (I know, Internet polls should be taken with a grain of salt). Still, are you serious? If it was a playoff game, then I would get it. Even a 15-inning, five-hour regular season game can be interesting. But an exhibition game? It’s a f-ing exhibition! I also see on SportsNation a poll asking if you were watching when Michael Young drove in the winning run a 1:37 EST. Sixty percent weren’t. My point exactly.

Even the hometown media is befuddled by St. Louis’ 53-43 first half. As Bernie points out, even after the team has completed its successful first half, no one is really sure how it happened (well, other than Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan being better at their jobs than the rest of the league).

But the Wizard promises not to let this kind of pessimism dampen spirits here in Oz. No, instead we will simply accept that somehow this team is in the Wild Card lead, Kyle Lohse hasn’t lost in two months, Aaron Miles is batting .317 and Yadier Molina is no longer an offensive liability. We will not look for answers to these mysteries because, quite frankly, I doubt we will find them.

So on the second half. We will no longer mention the mysteries of April through early July - after all, why look a gift horse in the mouth?

All-Star Rant 

Excuse the Wizard for getting a little off topic, but that was an awful display by Major League Baseball last night. Good thing the exhibition game didn’t end in a 3-3 tie, but instead went 15 innings, nearly 5 hours and reminded sports fans around the world why they prefer football.

The All-Star Game being in prime time on a major network is really the last claim baseball has to being America’s pastime. The NBA has recently moved to cable, and we’ve known for a long time the Pro Bowl doesn’t matter.

So while there is some merit to the MLB owning the best All-Star Game, it’s hard for me to imagine what happened last night helped baseball. The Home Run Derby is fun, the Yankee Stadium celebration stuff was very cool, but the game itself was awful - just like it is every year.

And in case you forgot, next year it’s in St. Louis. Yippee.

Live The Birds 

A fantastic post at Viva El Birdos brings to light a couple of issues that are sure to arise in the coming months.

One, what are the Cards going to do with Kyle Lohse? Surely you remember the team somehow got Lohse to sign a one-year, $4.25 million dollar deal only months after his agent, Scott Boras, was talking about a four or five-year deal.

As VEB points out, it is doubtful the Cardinals will offer Lohse more than three years on a deal, and that could be a problem. VEB goes into much more detail about whether or not Lohse is even worth a three-year, $30 million type of deal, but the Wizard is skeptical.

Presumably Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter (whose contract is as bad as Lohse’s is good) come back next month, and Lohse will then be a number three starter. That’s a lot of money for a number three guy, especially when you consider the gaping holes St. Louis has at second, short and in the bullpen. It wouldn’t kill me to see Lohse back next season, I’ve actually grown quite fond of him. I’m just not sure it’s the wisest way to spend money.

Two, El Birdos also mention the possibility of Jarrod Washburn with the Cardinals. Washburn has put up some pretty ugly numbers the past three years in a great pitcher’s park, but does consistently put up close to 200 innings. I’m very meh about him as well, though at times it seems Duncan can make anyone an All-Star caliber starter.

It appears the Cardinals will make some kind of move before the MLB’s trade deadline, as oddly enough after LaRussa went public with his thoughts on what the team should do in the wake of the CC Sabathia and Rich Harden trades, St. Louis has been popping up more often in trade rumors.

Using the wonderful information at mlbtraderumors.com, here’s what’s being floated around.

Jason Bay, LF, Pittsburgh Pirates

This is the most intriguing rumor, but there are problems. One, the Pirates should be reluctant to trade Bay within the division - teams normally have a problem with that. This is Pittsburgh, though…

Two, they’re going to ask for Colby Rasmus in return. I’ll always favor proven talent over prospects, but Rasmus is extremely talented, a year away from the majors and has to be untouchable. The Cardinals have plenty of other outfielders - albeit ones with lower ceilings - but it’s doubtful the Pirates would fall for that. Then again, this is Pittsburgh…

Finally, there have to be plenty of teams vying for Bay’s services. MLB Trade Rumors lists the Mets and Rays as suitors also, but for a guy that is a proven .280-.300 hitter with power, I’m sure more teams than that would be interested.

Odalis Perez, Tim Redding, P, Washington Nationals

TLR wants a bat, but you’ve got to imagine this pitching staff is going to come back to earth eventually. Apparently the Cardinals were scouting the Nationals earlier this week, possibly looking for another arm.

Perez has struggled since posting a 3.25 ERA in almost 200 innings for the Dodgers in 2004, but he has enjoyed some success this season (2-6, 3.66 ERA in 16 starts). Redding is enjoying his best season in the majors (7-3, 3.85 ERA in 20 starts) and both could come cheap. The Cards need at least one more pitcher before Wainwright and Carpenter’s rumored August returns, and either of these guys would be welcome additions - for the right price.

A.J. Burnett, P, Toronto Blue Jays

I’m pretty sure Burnett’s going somewhere, but I doubt it’s to St. Louis. Ken Rosenthal said though Burnett almost signed as a free agent with the Cardinals, the team isn’t as interested in him.

Good. Burnett doesn’t fit Dave Duncan’s pitch-to-contact philosophy, and despite possessing all the talent in the world - he sucks. Not only is he injury-prone, but he’s got a 5.23 ERA this season. I understand the interest, I guess, but I doubt he’d make a positive impact.

Barry Bonds, OF

Seriously. The Cardinals said they have no interest in Bonds, but TLR is a fan. Bernie Miklasz isn’t, but he’s more open to the idea of Bonds as a Cardinal. Regardless, it’s not happening. Bonds isn’t coming to St. Louis - or any major league team - unless he buys a ticket. Even then I think he’d have trouble getting in the stadium.

• I hate to link to ESPN Insider, seeing as how not everyone has it, but Rob Neyer’s comments on the Mark Mulder debacle are quite damning - and I can’t argue with them.

It’s bad enough that Mulder’s struggles are put on national television. But I’m surprised the Cardinals are willing to throw games away while vainly hoping for a medical miracle.

TLR challenged reporters to give him a better idea than starting Mulder, and now that we here in Oz have the power of hindsight we have an answer for TLR - anyone.

• JoeSportsFan.com recently posted their seven worst trades of the decade, and the Cards made the list twice. Once for getting Jim Edmonds in exchange for Adam Kennedy and Kent Bottenfield (bwahhahahahhaha!), and of course once for the Mulder trade.
• Cardinals Diaspora wants Joe Blanton, but I’d rather not deal with Billy Bean again. Besides, I’m not as sold as others are that starting pitching is this team’s biggest need. The middle infield still sucks, Ryan Ludwick hasn’t hit well since May and the bullpen still lacks a dominant guy.

TLR just wants help of some kind, and fast. I understand the win-now attitude, but there is something to the argument that Wainwright and Carpenter are coming back later this year. Besides, I hate giving away prospects for a short-term fix, and it’s doubtful there’s anything more than a short-term fix available.

• Chris Duncan’s season gets worse and worse. Damn, he looks like I feel.
• St. Louis product Ryan Howard is batting .368 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs against the Cardinals. I can’t wait until his atrocious defense forces a trade to the AL.
• Let’s end this party on a positive note: we’re playing the Pirates next! And they flat out suck!

I was so wrong about Lohse that I’ve decided to devote an entire entry to it. Somewhat in my defense, when St. Louis signed Lohse to a one-year, $4.25 million deal in March I - along with just about everyone else - thought it was a good deal.

But who could have expected this? Lohse is tied with Braden Looper for the most wins on the Cardinals staff (9) and second to Looper in innings pitched. His 3.63 ERA is well below his career 4.73 ERA, and for whatever reason he’s overcome his tendency to give up the home run, which so plagued him in the past (he’s given up 6 this year, while his career average in 24).

Oddly enough, it appears much of his success can be attributed to pitching to contact - something you would not imagine to be the case for a pitcher prone to giving up home runs. But this season Lohse is only averaging .47 strikeouts per inning (44 k’s in 94.1 innings), while his career average  is  .61.

Excuse my continued man love, but Lohse’s past six starts have been even more incredible. He’s won each of them, posting a 1.93 ERA to go along with a 1.00 WHIP. He’s given up four home runs over that time, but even that doesn’t seem to effect this new bizarro-Lohse.

Word has it he could even kick Chuck Norris’ ass.

The main reason I bring this up today is because tonight is going to be a real test for Lohse. The former Twin will face an old division rival, the Detroit Tigers. And as Roger Kuznia of the Sporting News points out, Lohse hasn’t had the greatest luck against the Tigers in the past.

So tonight will be a provide at least some insight into if this has been nothing more than a lucky three month stretch for the pitcher, or if the one-time promising prospect (he was 13-8 as a 23-year-old) has truly figured out this pitching thing.

One thing is for sure, finding a taker for his alleged off-season demands of a 4-year, $40 million contract will not be a problem for Lohse this upcoming free agency period.

There are the injuries, the fact that both games were one-run loses, flooding, etc., etc.

It really comes down to the St. Louis offense not being all that great without Pujols. It sounds obvious, but really, it’s that simple

As Viva El Bridos points out, the Cardinals are having some trouble with plate discipline. Derrick Goold from the Post-Dispatch just focused on Ankiel and Duncan, two of the streakier hitters on this team.

And if you don’t believe them, then just let Bernie Miklasz point out the obvious: the Cardinals miss Pujols.

I hate to sound defeated here, but there are no answers to these offensive woes. Since the Pujols injury, the Cardinals are 2-4 and that’s probably a pretty good representation of what kind of team they are without the best hitter in baseball. Other guys are capable of stepping up for a short time, but without Albert it is just that - a short term fix.

It’s not all bad news, though. One, Pujols is a quick healer, or at least that’s what he says. For all I know, he also has a skeleton made of adamantium and retractable claws. Nothing would surprise me.

Two, he is eligible to come off the DL next week. He’s already taking grounders and participating in batting practice, so there is a very real shot he could be back in the lineup by then.

And finally, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Just keep repeating that to yourself until Wolverine is back in the lineup. Watch the first and second X-Men movies (avoid the third) and marvel at Logan’s healing ability. Pujols is no different, and soon our super hero will return to save the NL Central from the evil Cubbies. Speaking of…

Rival Talk: Big Z’s Shoulder Goes Ouch

Is it okay to celebrate injuries? I’ve always thought of it as a little petty and kind of dirty. Besides, you’d like to defeat a rival when they are at full strength just so there’s no doubt that you’re the better team.

That being said, it was difficult for me to hide my smile when I heard Carlos Zambrano is having shoulder problems. Do I feel good about this? No. But seeing as how the Cards are without Wainwright and Pujols, the Cubs being without Big Z and Soriano seems fair. Now if we could just do something about Derrick Lee…

Do We Have Any Healthy Pitchers Left?

Thanks for stopping by, Anthony Reyes.

He came in for just long enough to pick up a victory Sunday, pitching one scoreless inning, only to be put on the DL the day before his scheduled start. Brad Thompson was recalled from the DL and will take his spot today.

That means we have a staff of injured pitchers (Carpenter, Wainwright, Mulder, Clement and Reyes) that is arguably better than our actual staff (Lohse, Looper, Piniero, Wellemeyer, Boggs).

2008 St. Louis baseball. It’s fantastic!

I’ll Take Beltran To Block

Trade speculation is fun. The Mets suck and are a disaster, so why shouldn’t the Cardinals pick from their decaying carcass?

Cardinals Diaspora wondered aloud about getting Carlos Beltran. At first I thought this was an awful idea, but Beltran did have 74 homers and 41 steals between 2006 and 2007. His power numbers are slightly down this year, but everything else (including the .270 batting average) remains amazingly consistent.

Now for the bad part - this trade will never happen. Beltran makes too much money and the trade would have to include Colby Rasmus, who despite his AAA troubles isn’t going anywhere. You can’t stop a fan from dreaming, though.