No One is Coming to the NL Central Party

Have you ever had a party where you invited a bunch of friends and no one showed up? That situation describes the St. Louis Cardinals and the National League Central Division race.

Only a month ago, many thought that the NL Central race would go down to the very last day. After July 22nd, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Houston were all within 2 games of each other and Pittsburgh, the last place team in the division was only 7.5 games out.

Since then, the only team to show up to the party has been the St. Louis Cardinals. Since July 22nd, the NL Central teams have the following records:

Cardinals 19-8
Chi. Cubs 13-15 (6.5 games lost)
Milwaukee 11-15 (7.5 games lost)
Houston 11-16 (8 games lost)
Cincinnati 7-20 (12 games lost)
Pittsburgh 8-18 (10.5 games lost)

The Caridnals, who own a record of 70-54, are now 7.5 games ahead of the second place Chicago Cubs ((61-60). Although the Cardinals of course have had a great run, nobody else in the division has even come close to keeping up with the Cardinals. The Cardinals don't seem to be winning it so much as the rest of the division is losing it. With one good month, the Cardinals have put themselves in a very good spot to win the division with ease.

It's a shame noone came to our party.

Cardinals Go 4 Up on Cubs with Strong Performance from Carpenter

So what else is new? Chris Carpenter takes the mound and the Cardinals win. Tonight, Carpenter, who improved his record to 12-3, pitched seven innings, gave up 2 runs on 8 hits and 0 walks, and struck out 10 Reds batters. The three runs that the Cardinals got off Homer Bailey in the first inning were all they needed, as the Cardinals beat the Reds 5-2 and won the rubber match of their three game series. Albert Pujols hit his 38th homer, Matt Holliday went 3 for 4, and Ryan Franklin picked up his 28th save.

The Cubs, who entered the evening three games back of the Cardinals, got killed 12-5 by the Philadelphia Phillies. Jeff Samardzija (1-2) only was able to go 3 1/3 innings, and gave up 7 runs on 8 hits in his first start of his career. He was clearly no match for the vaunted Phillies lineup which hit him early and often. Pedro Martinez, who made his first comeback start for the Phillies, gave up 3 runs on 7 hits but struck out 5 and only walked one batter to get the win.

The Cardinals improved their record to 64-52, which ties their season high of 12 games over .500. They now hold a 4 game lead over the Chicago Cubs who with the loss fell to 58-54. The Cubs do not get a break as they go up against red-hot Cliff Lee tomorrow against the Phillies in a day game at Wrigley, while the Cardinals have Thursday off and will rest for their weekend series against the Padres at Busch Stadium.

Cards, Cubs both lose one-run games, Cards Stay 3 Up on Cubs

Mitchell Boggs (1-1) gave up 4 runs on nine hits over 6 innings and the Cardinals were never able to come back as they lost to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday 5-4. Down 5-3, the Cardinals were able to score one in the ninth and had Albert Pujols on second when Matt Holliday struck out looking to end the game.

The Cubs meanwhile, in a bizarre game where the Phillies had more runs (4) than hits (3), had an amazing outing from Rich Harden who was perfect through five innings. but then gave up a walk to Carlos Ruiz and a homer to Jimmy Rollins and the game was then tied at 2. The Phillies were able to score one in the eighth, but Brad Lidge blew a save to allow the Cubs to tie the game at 3-3 after nine innings. In the twelfth, Ben Francisco of the Phillies opeed the frame with a home run off Kevin Gregg and the Phillies hung on to win in 12 innings 4-3.

the Cardinals (63-52) still lead the Chicago Cubs (58-53) by 3 full games in the NL Central.

Cards 3 Up and Hungry for More

With a win last night against the woeful Cincinnati Reds, the Cardinals improved their record to 63-51 and are now 3 full games over the slumping Chicago Cubs (58-52). Now ahead of the Cubs in the loss column, the Cardinals have a chance to gain further ground. The Cardinals have 2 more games against the ailing Reds today and Wednesday, and another 3 game series against the lowly Padres, while the Cubs are at home for three games against the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies. If the Phillies are able to win a couple from the Cubs, and the Cardinals do what they are supposed to do against the Reds and Padres, the 3 game lead could become even more. With only 50 or so games remaining in the season, it would be nice if the Cardinals could get a little breathing room in the NL Central race.

What was very encouraging in the win against the Reds last night was the outstanding pitching performance of Kyle Lohse, who pitched 6 innings, gave up one run on only 4 hits and had 3 K's. If Kyle Lohse can get hot (and this win against the Reds, who look like a Triple-A team right now doesn't count, but it is a start), that would be a big step for this Cardinal team who are looking for a solid 4th starter.

Mitchell Boggs will pitch against the Reds for Todd Wellemeyer who has gone on the DL. I'm guessing they just don't want him to start. Things look on the up and up for the Redbirds.

Go Cardinals!

August Schedule Sets Up Nicely for Big Month

August could be a big month for the Cardinals, as they face many teams who are out of the playoff race in their respective divisions.

This week the Cardinals face the Cincinnati Reds (48-62) and the San Diego Padres (47-66) at home for two three-game series. Then the Cards go to LA to face the Dodgers (67-45) for 3 and then visit San Diego for a four game set. Then the Cardinals return home to face Houston (55-56) and (oddly enough) the red-hot Washington Nationals (40-72), both for a three-game series.

They will only face one team with a winning record, the LA Dodgers, however, the Dodgers have stumbled as of late, having only gone 3-6 in August. The Dodgers currently are on a 3-game losing streak, having lost 3 straight to the Atlanta Braves.

Hopefully the Cardinals can take advantage of this easier stretch of games and pull away in the National League Central Division race.