What to do? What to do?
What’s up with the Redbirds lately. The offense was expected to improve with the addition of DeRosa, but he has provided little spark since arriving on Sunday. I know it’s just 3 games into his tenure in St. Louis, but things aren’t off to a good start.
Wainwright really needs to step up tonight and outshine Matt Cain, which will not be an easy task. Wainwright has the ability, but hasn’t shown the consistency this year to be the stopper we are in need of. I know the pitching, both starting and bullpen haven’t been lights out lately, but you have to wonder what is going through the pitchers mind. If he gives up a run or two, the offense is not picking up the pitchers at all. And the offense revolves all around the outfield.
You are getting more than expected from Pujols. The man can’t hardly be any better than he has this year. Schumaker adn his .352 obp and Yadier Molina are giving you what you expected along with whatever you get out of the shortstop position, which you shouldn’t have expected much from. You have to hope that DeRosa will give you something from the 3B spot, because that has been lacking since hot starts in April by Thurston and Barden, which you knew wouldn’t hold up.
On the flip side, there is the outfield, or lack their of. Duncan, Ludwick, and Ankiel are all failing to meet expectations. Colby Rasmus has played well, but is very streaky, which is understandable from a yound player, but he shouldn’t be your most productive outfielder withe 3 other guys who have put up 20 plus homer seasons in the past. I think you just have to leave Ludwick in and hope he can get himself out of the funk, but with Duncan and Ankiel, I just don’t know what to do. For a power hitter, Duncan has one of the weakest swings I’ve seen, and Ankiel can only hit a fast ball or a hanging breaking pitch. Don’t throw one of those two pitches and he’s most likely down without a fight.
With the half way point of the season two games away, if we sweep the last two with the Giants to even the series, we’ll be 5 games over .500, which would equal out to 10 games over .500 for a record of 87-75. Not going to get you into the playoffs this year, so Redbirds, right the ship or possibly turn from buyers in the trade market to sellers in less than a month.
Matt Wilson
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