I agree French that Mulder is probably done but you never know he may surprise us. As for Carpenter, he knows how to take care of himself and knows how to properly rehab. If his surgury was a success, I think he'll pitch well in the second half.

By the way, Izzy pitched fair last night in the ninth. According to MLB Gameday, he only threw one cutter in 15 pitches. He relied alot more on his curve. Still pitching to too much contact for me. Fastball was clocked at 91-92.

That's the problem. Izzy falls in love with his stupid cutter too much. When he stays away from it, he does alot better. I don't know why he doesn't use his curve more often.

Well Izzy blows another one. Get rid of him now! This guy's just lost it, he can't even make a good throw to 3rd base. There's no way we should've lost today's game.

We need to send Izzy to the Cubs.

I don't know about anyone else but when Izzy comes into a game I feel like we are going to lose. I have absolutly no confidence in him to shut down anyone and I don't believe he has the confidence to stop anyone either. The Cardinals desperately need some bull pen help especially in the closer role. It's time for Izzy to go. Bring on Perez or anyone at this point except maybe for Gagne (he's just about as bad as Izzy).

Did anybody else see the line drive that Pujols hit off of the Padres pitcher's face. One thing I did like was that Pujols went over and prayed for the guy. I thought that was awsome.

Yes, I saw it. What a shot. I was just glad to see Young be able to walk off. Pujols is a class act. Perez is looking good if he can just keep that heater in the strike zone. I vote to send Izzy and Gagne down to the Old Timers softball league where I think they can be something special.

Sure hope Pujols isn't down to long. Meanwhile Ludwick continues to rake! Boggs has a good arm if he can keep it in the stike zone he'll be an asset. Go Cards!

Sigma,

it has been a few months since I saw you and longer since posting here.

Just wanted to take a moment to say that all indications through the winter concerning the Cardinals and their philosophy with looking to the future held up at the trade deadline. No moves to protect future prospects all ready in the system.

I hope it works for the organization.

BTW, how was your June weekend in STL? I hope it was all you hoped to enjoy, and I hope to be of assistance for you next year.

CardsfaninAR

CubsFan,

I have not gotten on this site in awhile but i'm still around. I just saw your message. I had a blast during my 3 game series. The first game was a total blowout (like 22-3 or something) but the next 2 were very good games.

The Cardinals have impressed me this year. Ludwick has really emerged as a serious threat alongside Pujols and if Ankiel continues to get better and Rasmus proves to be all they hype him up to be then that could be a formidable lineup for the next few years. Of course pitching will continue to be a concern. You have to wonder how long they can keep winning without a legitimate ace.

Wainwright is and will be a legitimate ace, not to mention Carpenter isn't quite washed-up.

As long as LaRussa and Duncan will leave Waino in the starting rotation. This leaving him in limbo every start is nuts. Let Perez have the ninth.

Carpenter has injury trouble and at this point in his career certainly can't be counted on to be a dominant starter until he proves he can pitch a full season after his surgery. Wainwright is an emerging pitcher however I don't see him as anything more than a #2 starter. They drafted a kid out of Arizona State that I really like, Brett Wallace is his name, and he is tearing it up at Springfield. He should enter next season as the #2 prospect behind Rasmus for the Cardinals. They are in a tough division with the Cubs always being tough, Milwaukee has a GREAT young core and with a healthy Gallardo next year WATCH OUT, Pittsburgh got alot of value out of the Jason Bay and Xavier Nady trades not to mention their minor league system is pretty decent, Cincinatti has a good young core like the Brewers and 2 franchise hitters (Votto and Bruce) along with 2 potential ace pitchers in Volquez and Cueto. Unless they make some actual moves or land a big-name pitcher to anchor that rotation I don't see the Cardinals doing much in the central.

GO ANGELS

I disagree with your analysis of Waino. I think he has the stuff and mentality of a #1. On the central, I will agree on the Cubs, but differ on the rest. The Brewers know this is their year. They lose Sheets and Sabathia after this year. They have a good young core, BUT they will all be arbitration eligble and then free agents in the coming years. They don't have the market to keep all of them. As for the Reds, with Jocketty running that ship look for them to be competitive but he has a tendency to unload prospects. The Pirates did cash in on their two deals this time, but they have been in the same holding pattern for the last 10-15 years. Nobody gave the Cards a chance this year, and here we are almost in September with the third best record in the league with a roster younger than the Brewers and the Cubs.