More Fireworks in store for Cardinals and Brewers?
St. Louis — Last Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-7 in 11 innings which prompted me to write a game recap the next morning titled Cardinals vs. Brewers August 2nd = Classic because of how unbelievable that win really was. That win ended up being the only victory the Cardinals earned in that 3 game series at Miller Park in Milwaukee and St. Louis is 3-6 versus Milwaukee so far this season.
Exactly one week after the Cardinals huge extra innings win – both teams will open up a 3 game series at Busch Stadium, with both teams coming in on a roll and the Brewers leading the NL Central by 3 games over the Cardinals. The Brewers have won 11 of their last 12 and if not for Shortstop’s Rafael Furcal’s gold glove caliber play in that extra innings win – Milwaukee would be coming in on a 12 game winning streak. The Brewers are absolutely on fire both at the plate, as well as on the mound. During this 12 game stretch, the Brew Crew has only allowed 2 runs or less in 7 of the 12 games and have scored 5 runs or more in 8 of those 12 games. Brewers All-Star 1st Baseman Prince Fielder comes in to the series as one of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball. In his last 10 games, Fielder has raised his batting average from .286 to .304, he has 17 hits overall, including 4 doubles, 3 homeruns and 11 RBI’s. The other head of Milwaukee’s 2 headed monster, Leftfielder Ryan Braun, hasn’t hit a homerun in 9 games, but still has 15 hits in his last 10 games with 1 homerun and 5 RBI’s.
After losing 2 of 3 in Milwaukee, the Cardinals took their talents to South Beach to take on a depleted Florida Marlins team that looks like they are just playing out the schedule while going through the motions. It doesn’t help that Shortstop Hanley, I really don’t want to work hard, hustle or try EVER, Ramirez and potential ace of the starting staff Josh Johnson were both out with injuries. The Cardinals took care of business and swept the 4 game series against the Fish. And because of that sweep, the Cardinals come into this big series against the Brewers at Busch winning 7 of their last 10 games overall. The Cardinals Big 3 absolutely terrorized Marlins pitching this weekend – they hit .437 with 5 homeruns (Pujols hit 3 of them), 5 doubles, a triple and 13 RBI’s. Seriously, that’s just dumb! In Holliday’s last 7 games, Matt has 4 homeruns and 10 RBI’s.
But let’s not forget how emotional the series last week was. Remember, there was A LOT of extra curricular stuff going on during the Cardinals Brewers last week. Tony Larussa filed a formal complaint with MLB about Milwaukee dimming the lights while the Cardinals were at the plate. After the Brewers went head hunting and just missed ending Albert’s career, the Cardinals retaliated immediately. Cardinals Reliever Jason Motte threw strike 1 to Ryan Braun, who led off the following half inning after Pujols was hit, but then took 2 pitches to hit Braun (the 1st Ryan got out of the way, but the 2nd one drilled him in the back). Immediately following Braun being hit by a pitch, Brewers TV color analyst Bill Schroeder called the move “Bush League.” Will there be more fireworks this week…if I was a betting man and I am – I would say heck yes there will be. If one pitcher has a ball “get a way from them” – you can bet your last dollar the other side will even up the score. Like I said last week, if I am the Brewers, I am starting the biggest brawl since the Cardinals Reds brawl last year. Why? Well, after the brawl with Brandon Phillips and Yadier Molina last year, the Cardinals faded (and that is putting it lightly) and the Reds ran away with the NL Central.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, ace Chris Carpenter will not pitch in the series versus the Brewers. Right now, the Cardinals will send out Edwin Jackson on Tuesday, Kyle Lohse Wednesday and Jake Westbrook in the finale. And with the day off on Monday – how does Larussa not skip Westbrook and let Carpenter go Thursday? The Brewers will trot out Shaun Marcum, Randy Wolf & Yovani Gallardo. Which team do you think has the advantage in this series??? Yeah, there is no doubt…and it would not shock me if the Brewers leave Busch with a 6 game lead if Larussa and the Cardinals don’t get Carp on the mound for the series finale.
So what do you think Cardinals fans – let us know your thoughts in the comment section of this post!
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First I would plunk the first 3 batters the Brewers send out, then I would plunk LaRussa as he comes out to argue why Jackson is getting tossed. Then I would shock the world and throw Carpenter for 3 straight games. Then, if we could get a couple of HR’s from the rest of the boys I think we could sweep. Don’t laugh, just because it hasn’t been done is 1898 doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try it.