TBDS Late Night Returns To Present: The Sky Is Falling Over Wrigleyville...

She'll make everything feel better, won't she? (via this site)

Call your friends. Call your neighbors. Call your parents. Call your sons and daughters, too. Heck, give them that child support check you've been meaning to give them for the last 18 years.

The Chicago Cubs are down 6-0 to the Colorado Rockies and are in danger of falling three (!) games behind the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals.

It's time to board up the house, stock up on canned goods and bottled water. Let's go hunker down in the basement until the coast is clear.

Cubs fans, allow me to be the voice of reason that is dying to escape your soul but instead gets intimidated by tales of goats, black cats and fans wearing headphones.

Of the next 20 games the Cubs will play, 13 will come against teams that are under .500. Want another lucky 13 you superstitious sonsofbitches? The Cubs will play 13 home games in that span, 10 of which will come against teams that are below the break-even point as of press time.

When September rolls around, 11 of the first 12 games the Cubs will play will be against the Astros, Mets, Pirates and Reds. Each of those teams ... you guessed it ... below the .500 mark.

In 2007, the Cubs were 8.5 games behind first place Milwaukee on June 23. They also had a season-long seven-game losing streak from May 27 to June 2.

Cubs fans, you act like you haven't seen your team with their backs against the wall. You also act like the 1927 Yankees are ahead of you. Contrary to popular belief, Albert Pujols is human. So is Matt Holliday. As is Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.

And it's not like Tony LaRussa hasn't ever made a mistake in his life. Ever.

Young scribe SalukiOrphan detailed five reasons why the Cardinals would win the NL Central. He made good points until:

The Cardinals have one of the most storied histories in Major League Baseball. They have 10 World Series Titles (would be 11 if not for Don Denkinger), most in National League history and second only to the New York Yankees, who have 26. The Cubs have a lot of history as well, unfortunately for them most of it goes against their favor. Chicago has been brought down with everything from goats to cats to guys named Bartman. The Cardinals also have 17 NL pennants and 10 division titles (seven NL Central, three NL East), while the cubs have 16 NL pennants (none since 1945) and five division titles (three NL Central, two NL East).

Not sure what the past has to do with the 2009 season. But if that is helping make decisions and projections around here, then by that logic, I like the Cubs' chances (19,870 wins in franchise history) more than I like the Cardinals' (19,464).

But it's not about that. See, that little nugget section is a little sample of hypocrisy.

See, the SalukiOrphan rails on the Cubs and their fans for using the team's past an excuse for its failures. Yet, conveniently, the Orphan uses it to show why the Cards will win the division. I guess I shouldn't expect anything more than lazy blogging from a Cardinals fan. That's the kind of lazy blogging that grinds my gears. Especially when it is coming from the same fan base that will lustily boo Manny "The Cheater" Ramirez, but then will give a slurping standing ovation to Rick Ankiel and Ryan Franklin.

My fellow Cubs fans, it's time to take a chill pill. Everything is gonna be OK. More tomorrow on Jay Mariotti, The List and another NFL Preview. Go to sleep now, kiddies. The sun will rise tomorrow.

Statistical Analysis Of The Matt Holliday Trade To The St. Louis Cardinals

Stat Boy says Matt Holliday will love hitting against the NL Central's best.

Good afternoon, folks. Had to wake Stat Boy up from his hangover nap with the news that the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Matt Holliday from the Oakland A's. As usual, Stat Boy has got some good news if you happen to support the Cardinals ... and bad news if you happen to support one of the other National League Central Division contenders.

Take it away, Stat Boy.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Redbird Nation up in arms despite acquiring Matt Holliday. St. Louis is acquiring a career .315 hitter, a three-time All-Star and would have been the 2007 NL MVP had Jimmy Rollins not stolen it from him. However, GM John Mozeliak is paying Billy Beane a hefty price with hot-shot third base prospect Brett Wallace, highly touted right-handed pitcher Clayton Moretnsen and outfielder Shane Peterson.

When it comes to trades with Beane and Oakland, I'd be remiss if I didn't give a buyer beware notice because of the last time these two hooked up for a big trade.

But I'm not here to re-ignite a burning sensation you should probably see a doctor for. Instead, I come to bring St. Louis fans a little bit of good news and the rest of the division some really bad news.

The common misconception is that Holliday can't hit outside of hitters haven Coors Field because he was allergic to gray road uniforms. Apparently, that doesn't count toward NL Central teams, especially the contenders.

• Against the Milwaukee Brewers, Holliday owns a 1.082 OPS with 5 HRs and 13 RBIs, with three of the five dingers coming at Miller Park where he owns a .928 OPS.
• Against the Houston Astros, he owns a .989 OPS and will challenge Albert Pujols for longest home run in Minute Maid history if he gets to face a flat Brad Lidge slider.
• Against the Chicago Cubs, Holliday OPSes .856 ... but his number surprisingly slip to .652 at Wrigley Field. Probably distracted by this particular bleacher babe.

Interesting to note that the team Holliday OPSes the highest against is, in fact, the St. Louis Cardinals, where he owns a career 1.225 against the Redbirds.

Want more numbers? Of course you do.

He batted .394 with a .475 on-base percentage while slugging .750. I'm sure Cardinals fans are glad Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Ryan Franklin don't have to face that anymore.

Then there are Holliday's numbers at Busch Stadium II. I'll acknowledge the small sample size, but even Don Denkinger can see .385/.478/.872/1.350 is impressive. Not to mention the five homers in 46 career plate appearances.

When the going gets tough, Holliday seems to get going with a .305 career batting average after the seventh inning to go along with 38 homers and 142 runs batted in.

Truth be told (as pointed out by Hire Jim Essian), Holliday's bat is, in essence, a replacement for the 30 homer 100 ribbie year expected out of Troy Glaus at the hot corner. But more than that, adding Holliday shows that the Cardinals will not settle to be just "one of the guys" in the race.

This trade means they're for real.

Whatever that means

News, Notes, Quotes & More From This Weekend In Chicago Cubs Baseball

Big day of blogging at TBDS tomorrow. But in the meantime, this should hold you over.

News

• You would not believe how hard it is to get rid of a Cubs-Cardinals ticket at Wrigley Field.
  
• I had three Cardinals fans say "yes" only to cancel on me before the game. Baseball's best most unreliable fans.
  

Notes

• Tony LaRussa flip-flopped his Friday and Saturday starters to tick me off, knowing I would be at Friday's game. My idea of payback? LaRussa drunk jokes on the hour every hour.
  
• If Cubs and Cards fans had a "douche-off" real fans of both teams would win. Some people just shouldn't be allowed in a ballpark
  

Quotes

• Question posed to me on Friday: "Why isn't (Micah Hoffpauir) playing more?" Answer from me: "Because he's batting .242."
  
• "Alright, we've got 8 points." -grown woman Cardinals fan. Even a real Cards fan next to me was disappointed.
  

More to come tomorrow.

DeRo Shall No Longer Be Your Hero, He's A Cardinal Now

Consider this to be my warning shot to Cubdom.

Mark DeRosa was a pretty good ballplayer in Chicago. He wasn't great. He was good. He hit 31 homers, drove in 159 runs, hit .289, on-based 373, slugged .451 and OPSed .824 primarily as a second baseman while dabbling at first, short, third, right and left in his two year reign in Chicago.

When he was traded, Cubs fans were outraged and that was understandable. Replacing Mark DeRosa with Aaron Miles is like replacing a reliable Honda Civic for a Yugo. And when DeRosa returned to Chicago, the Wrigley faithful gave him a standing ovation. Again. And again. And again.

Personally, I don't want to see that again. He's a Cardinal now. It's time to get over it.

Cubs fans slurped DeRosa so hard in his return, you would have thought they were erecting his statue next to Ernie Banks or retiring his number alongside Ernie, Billy Williams, Greg Maddux, Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo.

Cubs fans, look at that dreaded sign over the right field bleachers. Your team hasn't won a World Series in 100 years and hasn't even squared off agaisnt an American League team in October since 1945. DeRosa didn't change that. There's no reason to treat him like he did.

Now the Cardinals have DeRosa and Chicago is up in arms. Milton Bradley has been bad and you can apparently add manager Lou Piniella to the list of people trying to bring him down. Ryan Dempster's glove trick is not apparently tricking anyone anymore

The Cards getting DeRosa is like watching your girlfriend leave town for her new job, only to return to be dating your slack-jawed cousin who believes Larry The Cable Guy is the funniest man in the history of comedy.

Meanwhile, your new special lady friend, who started off as cute, but tempermental, has been unable to step out of the buffet line since the day you started dating. And yet, the girl is still one weight watchers meal away from being able to seen holding hands with her again.

The Cubs are only 3.5 games out of first place, and that is fine and dandy. But Cubs fans, if you want to be angry, re-direct your anger, torches and pitchforks to the office of Jim Hendry. It was Hendry who failed to replace DeRosa's production at second base. It was Hendry who insisted on signing Bradley and re-signing Dempster. It was Hendry who failed to replentish a bullpen that has been flat-out full of bullsh*t.

As for the most beloved ex-Cub in team history, he'll get his second first-shot against his former North Side pals on July 10 at Wrigley Field, a game the TBDS staff will be in attendance at.

Funny how things work sometimes.

Cubs-Cards Round III Game III: At Least I'm Not The Only One That's Pissed Off Edition

The weather isn't the only thing heating up in the Midwest. Someone check Cubs manager Lou Piniella's temperature, because I'm pretty sure Mount Piniella is about to erupt.

Apparently, prior to being "razzled" by some St. Louisans on his lonely walk back to the Hilton at the Ballpark which is a stone's throw from the new Busch Stadium, Piniella had an unpleasant conversation with the team's traveling secratary. (For the record, you can find stones at the landfill that is supposed to be Ballpark Village if you'd like. I digress.)

Sweet Uncle Lou does this from time-to-time to deflect some eyes, ears and thoughts away from the team when they're playing bad. But a rift with the traveling secretary should be the least of the team's concerns.

And I know it's three hours til game time, so here are a list of things that should be concerning Piniella:

1. Milton Bradley's .193 batting average
2. The Mini-Me Midget Committee at third base
3. The fact that Aaron Miles and Kevin Gregg are still on the roster
4. Rich Harden's (lack of) velocity
5. The after-effects of eating a large Imo's pizza

No. 6 on that list would be Adam "Jesus" Wainwright, who is due for a breakout game ... unfortunately for Cubs fans, his next start is against the boys in blue.

Prediction: Wainwright's good for seven shutout innings as the Cards complete the sweep.

Now That! Is What I call Pessimism, Vol. 100.

Cubs, Cards And The Return Of Carp

Long story short, the Cubs are screwed.

If all they could muster off Joel Piniero was three hits, then an offense in which Mike Fontenot is the best option at third base will make Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright look like Bob Gibson and Dizzy Dean.

Sure, Carp is coming off an extended stay in the DL Hotel and hasn't done any minor league rehab ... but he's Chris Carpenter. A former Cy Young award winner who owns a career mark of 7-3 against the Cubs with a 3.08 earned run average, 1.14 WHIP and a 5.69-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in more than 96 innings of work.

And even though he will be making his return to the rotation, I wouldn't be shocked if the Cubs went hitless in St. Louis.

As for Game 3 of this series, the Cubs will have to deal with Wainwright, who has surprisingly struggled this season. Well, except against the Cubs, where Waino already has a win against the Cubs -- thanks in part to Larry Vanover's extended strikezone.

The Cubs will counter with Sean Marshall.

Yep, St. Louis is supposed to be real nice this time of year. But not for the Cubs.

Cubs, Cards To Battle For NL Central Supremacy, Best Lawn Bragging Rights

When the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals take to the green grass of Busch Stadium Jr., no one will care about offensive t-shirts. Unless they work for ballpark security, of course.

The Cubs and Cards renew the National League's best rivalry in what looks to be the most winnable division in all of baseball. The injury-riddled Cubs find themselves at 21-15, a game ahead of the injury-plagued Cardinals (21-17), but two games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers ... who have their own injury concerns now that Rickie Weeks is gone and Craig Counsell will assume the everyday responsibilities that come with being a full-time second baseman.

Seems like the NL Central job market is deep in lawn care specialists and doctors.

Defacto ace Theodore Roosevelt Lilly takes the bump against Joel Piniero in Game 1, and Ryan Dempster and his fancy glove trick will meet the return of Chris Carpenter in Game 2. In what will likely be the rubber match of this series, Sean Marshall (on extended rest) will square off against Cy Wainwright.

The pessimist Cubs fan in me sees the Cardinals winning two-of-three while. The Cubs fan that watched the Cards get swept by the Brew Crew over the weekend sees the Cubs winning two-of-three.

My bookie says take the under in runs scored.

I don't know who to listen to.

Cubs-Cardinals Part Duex: The Edition Written For A Special Reader

So, it has come to my attention that this site has been lacking on its coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals.

I'd like to go on the record and say that it is not my fault. We've got two Cardinals "experts" that are on staff and would likely provide much better coverage of "their" team than "that idiot Cubs fan" would.

With that said, welcome aboard Prof. Freivogel. Thanks for the clicks, and if you'd like, you can click on an add and help us get paid.

And now, onto the baseball stuff.

The Cardinals (11-5) enter baseball's best rivalry in first place as they continue to ride the hot bat of first baseman Albert Pujols. The Machine is batting .345 with 6 homers and 21 ribbies and a ridiculous OPS of 1.184. I know it's only April, but it is at the point where I constantly wonder why pitchers even throw him strikes anymore. You wanna take a pitch low and away for a seeing eye single down the right field, cool. But it's not cool when a pitcher lays a slider that doesn't slide and it ends up as a souveneir.

Adam Wainwright (tonight's starter) is a heck of a pitcher and Ryan Franklin seems to have found a niche at the back of the bullpen. But everything in between is muddled. If the Cubs can somehow pinpoint that weakness, they could take two out of three just like they did last weekend.

As for those Cubs (8-6), they find themselves behind Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the standings. Ath this point, all I can say is yuck! Pittsburgh's got talent, but not enough of it. Cincinnati is still managed by Dusty Baker. So while the Pirates could stay long enough to pester some folks in the NL Central, but the Reds, ha! That's laughable. It won't be long before Dusty ruins the golden arms Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Aaron Harang, so no fan of a club outside of Cincy should worry.

But as a Cubs fan, there is lots to worry about. Milton Bradley can't play because he's hurt and because he's going to be suspended. Bradley's batting .043 with his only hit being a homer in Milwaukee. He's shown a great eye at the plate, too good at times. Everyone knows about Crazy Uncle Milton's antics toward figures of authority, but I feel as if he could summon that aggression toward a 90-mile-per-hour fastball, it could lead to a boost in production.

Then there's Crazy Uncle Milton's replacement, Micah Hoffpauir The Great. Cubs fans love "The Hoff" because he's left-handed and he hits for power ... two things the Cubs haven't had since Henry Rodriguez. And while Cubdum treats him like a young pup, few seem to realize he's 29 and many 29-year-olds don't magically realize their potential during what is supposed to be the prime of their career.

And he doesn't play defense well. At all. Think Daryle Ward without consuming two tons of donuts between half-innings.

The big issue with the Cubs is their bullpen, or lack of it. Carlos Marmol is doing fine and Kevin Gregg isn't terrible when he's not facing the heart of a really good line-up. Same with Aaron Heilman.

But the rest of the 'pen, is a joke. And not one of those good, hearty jokes. One of those played out, boring jokes your friend tries to use on a girl that he's trying to pick up at the bar that only end up c-blocking you in the end.

Neal Cotts is bad and should be taken out to the pasture and left there. Angel Guzman is a flop and should have been dealt when opposing GMs still thought his arm had value. David Patton isn't worth the jersey they throw on his back every day.

If the Cardinals can expose the joke, then Cardinal Nation will be laughing all the way to the bank this weekend.

Each game has a pitching match-up that is honestly worth a damn. Which is nice. No one wants to see 4th and 5th starters go up against aces. Mismatches make rivalry games boring.

Game 1 pits Ryan Dempster against Adam Wainwright. Can Dempster rediscover the magic that made him an All-Star pitcher last season or will "Cy" Wainwright continue his dominance over the Cubbie blue bats.

Sean Marshall and Mitchell "Almost Typed Wade" Boggs square off in Game 2. Both youngsters have something to prove here. Boggs has been very highly regarded in the Cardinal minor league system, while Marshall needs to prove his worth to the big club before he gets shipped out in exchange for Jake Peavy.

Game 3 seems like a mismatch on paper with Rich Harden taking on Todd Wellemeyer. But it all depends on which pitcher shows up to the bump. If the good Harden, which doesn't have shoulder problems or control issues, shows up, then the Cubs will be in great shape. If bad Harden shows up, they're screwed. Same as Wellemeyer. If the nightmarish Wellemeyer shows up, the Cubs won't be able to wait to step to the plate. But if he takes Dave Duncan's advice and applies it, the Cards will be just fine.

So, sit back, relax and strap it down. The National League's best rivalry comes to you starting at 7:00 p.m. central time.

Don't miss it.

Cubs-Cards Reloaded

Today has got to better for the North Side Nine, right?

Carlos Zambrano is on the mound and I have to think after watching yesterday's bullpen performance, Big Z is not going to want to exit early today.

Nor do I want him to.

Zambrano is the Cubs big-name, big-money pitcher and I want him to pitch like that against the team's chief rival ... especially after a brutal loss.

While I'll put yesterday's loss on the relief (or lack thereof), maybe hitting coach Gerald Perry should tell Cubs hitters to aim toward left field.

Watching Chris Duncan patrol the outfield is like watching that kid in Little League who has his finger up his nose, hat on backward, counting clouds in the sky and one pant leg rolled up before a screaming liner comes his way.

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune

I'd be really excited about Cubs-Cardinals, but...

Adam Wainwright vs. Sean Marshall?

In one bullpen, you have Marshall, who is on about seven months rest, having not started a regular season major league game since Sept. 23 against the New York Mets.

Wainwright, well, he's the second coming of Cy Young if you ask Cardinals fans.

In any case, baseball's best rivalry is renewed today in Chicago with a four-game set that already has implications at the top of the division.

And just because I can, I'll drop this picture of Playboy bunny Holly Madison wearing Cubs gear.

I await to see our Cardinals expert's response.

TBDS Civil War has begun!

Cubs add Bradley, Cardinals continue to do nothing

In an offseason where the Chicago Cubs have made moves to improve their NL Central winning team of a year ago, the St. Louis Cardinals have continued to be content with last season's fourth place finish.

The Cubs signed Milton Bradley to roam right field at Wrigley for the next three seasons only days after inking one of the biggest surprises from last season's Cardinals team in utility infielder Aaron Miles.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, have been content with their moves for left handed reliever Trevor Miller and shortstop Khalil Greene. They've made it clear they will stick with the offensively offensive Adam Kennedy at second base despite .280 average and total of just 35 RBIs and 42 runs.

Greene had a career worst year last season, hitting .213 with just 10 home runs and 35 RBIs to go with a .260 on base percentage. If those numbers don't improve for next season, he might not even be considered an upgrade from Cesar Izturis.

While the Cubs didn't re-sign Kerry Wood, they will be just fine in the closer department with Carlos Marmol moving there from the set up spot.

The organization has stated finding a new closer is the team's primary focus, but with Brian Fuentes now off the market and Mozeliak stating Trevor Hoffman is not an option, that leaves the Cardinals with very few options.

In the outfield, the Cardinals have more players than spots open. Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel, if not traded, are guaranteed starting spots. That leaves Skip Schumaker, Colby Rasmus, Joe Mather and Chris Duncan (it sincerely pains me to write his name as an option) to fight for the final spot.

The Cubs are also looking to improve their farm system. After the signing of Miles, they traded the no longer needed Mark DeRosa for three minor leaguers.

The Cardinals also need a utility infielder to fill the shoes of Miles. It will be nearly impossible to find someone to equal the production of Miles, who hit .317 with 49 runs and 31 RBIs and deserved to be the full time starting second baseman last season.

Don't expect any big moves from the Cardinals, as Mozeliak has been content balancing the checkbook while adding mediocre players to the team and finishing with around 80 wins since moving to the new Busch Stadium.

Albert the Great

Albert Pujols has received his just due and won his second MVP award, his first since 2005. While this should probably be his fourth or fifth MVP, the voters finally wised up and voted for the most deserving player.

For those of you arguing for Ryan Howard as MVP, just take a look at the numbers. The only areas Howard holds a significant advantage are home runs and RBIs. Howard finished with 48 and 146, respectively, compared to Albert's 37 and 116.

But when you look at more important stats, Pujols has Howard beat in every category.

Pujols' .357 batting average was 38 points higher than Howard's on-base percentage and 106 points better than Howard's abysmal .251 average.

Howard's 199 strikeouts were also 145 more than Pujols', while Pujols walked 104 times compared to 81 by Howard.

While voters who didn't vote Pujols first don't both me, it's idiots like Tom Haudricour, who had an MVP vote, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who make sportswriters look like idiots.

Via the Brewers Blog:

"With the Cardinals finishing fourth, I voted Pujols seventh on my ballot. I don't consider MVP to be "the most outstanding player" award and therefore don't just go by who had the best stats. i like to credit players for lifting their teams to the post-season or at least keeping them in the race until the very end."

Then, Haudricour went on to give his list of the top 10 players he voted for.

1. Ryan Howard
2. CC Sabathia
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Carlos Delgado
5. Aramis Ramirez
6. Prince Fielder
7. Albert Pujols
8. Ryan Ludwick
9. Ryan Braun
10. David Wright

That's right. He voted Carlos Delgado No. 4, despite the fact that the Mets didn't make the playoffs and choked down the stretch, y et again. Did I mention that was his exact argument as to why he put Pujols No. 7.

I don't think there is a person in their right mind who would actually say Delgado had a better season than Pujols.

But it gets even better.

"St. Louis did stay in the wild card race until mid-September, but mainly because the Brewers and Mets were gagging at the time."

So you put two players, Delgado and Prince Fielder, whose teams you say were "gagging" at the end of the season in front of a player who dominated opposing pitchers from the beginning of the season to the end.

Idiots like this can't take away from a great season by arguably the best player in baseball. Pujols has been the most consistent player in the MLB since he entered the league and he should have five or six MVP's by the time he decides to hang it up.

Far from un-hittable

Sometimes your the dog and sometimes your the fire hydrant.

Carlos Zambrano's line today against the St. Louis Cardinals:

1.2 IP 6 H 8 R 8 ER 3 BB 1 K

Yeah, it's 2:31 p.m. and the game is still going on and Big Z's day is done.

Still you can't take away Sunday's no-no.

Not Drayton McClane. Not Skip Bayless. Not Bud Selig.

No one.

If this score stands, the Chicago Cubs' magic number will remain at 2.

From the cutting room floor

One of the things that makes the internet awesome is that there is endless space to create posts like this.

Unfortunately, because of the size of Thursday's Daily Egyptian, space was limited for the Cubs/Cardinals arguments that went into the paper.

So I present to you additional offerings, fresh from the cutting room floor.

Jim Edmonds

Once the bane of Cubs fans' existence, the former Gold Glove center fielder has switched alliances and is doing his best to leade the North Side Nine to new heights.

Edmonds will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest players to wear a St. Louis Cardinals uniform, but could ultimately go down in Cubs lore as one of Cubdom's greatest folk heroes if he keeps his act up.

His defense has been superb, and that was to be expected. But what he has done with his resurgent bat has kept him in the lineup.

"Jimmy Baseball" has hit 18 home runs since putting on the Cubbie blue pinstripes in May, providing the Cubs iwth the left-handed hitting power threat the Cubs desperately have been looking for.

Edmonds has also torched his formet mates with a two-homer game (resulting in a Cubs win) and has made several diving catches.

Harry Caray

It's true Cards fans, you had him first. Most of our generation remembers Caray as the lovable Cubs announcer who sang "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" to the masses at Wrigley Field, but Caray got his start working with the Cardinals.

However, Caray didn't become a national icon until joining the Cubs.

It's like what Jay-Z said about his hit song "Dead Presidents II" in the classic track "Takeover"

"You made it a hot line, I Made it a hot song."

caray might have gotten his start in St. Louis, but Chicago made him a superstar.

Wrigley Redux

Not only is WRigley Field awesome because of its orginiality, the fact that it has spawned copy-cats throughout the league.

Houston's MInute Maid Park has the brick backstop and the hand-operated scoreboard and San Francisco's AT&T Park has the bullpens that are in the playing field.

It is a testament to how awesome the beauty on Clark & Addison truly is.

Cubdom has stars, too

Cubs fans that reacted to Brian's story were rightfully upset that Mr. Feldt ignored Cub greats of the past.

It wasn't an oversight - Brian knows his baseball - so I'm going to defend my editor here.

But for every Musial, Gibson, Brock and Smith, the Cubs can answer with Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg.

Not to mention Greg Maddux (twice).

And Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, who had a Hall of Fame career despite having only three fingers on his pitching hand.

Writing stories like this put a smile on my face. Knowing that someone's gonna tweak out over what one of us says about our rivals gets my heart pumping.

That's why I've always wanted to be a part of this journalism thing.

The only thing left to look forward to

Well, let's be honest. The Cardinals are done. They're not coming back. No division crown, no wild card. Over, we are done.

I was feeling down about it until I realized something. The Cubs are in first place!

Most of you are probably saying 'Wait, I thought you were a Cardinals fan?' Yes, I am a Cards fan and yes, I hate the Cubs with a fiery passion.

That's why I'm so happy they're in first. I don't have to watch as whatever team goes and wins a World Series. I still have something to hope for. That something is for the Cubs to choke.

So, let's break down the possibilities:

Mets win East, Dodgers win West, Brewers win Wild Card

Under this scenario, the Cubs will go up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. I love the Dodgers' chances here. They have been on a role since acquiring Manny Ramirez, who will undoubtedly earn another hefty contract in the free agent market.

Currently, they're my favorite to make it to the World Series from the National League.

If the Cubs do slip past the Dodgers, then they would go up against either the Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets. In a five game series, I think the Mets take it.

In the Cubs-Mets NLCS, the curse of Ron Santo takes place. There is no way the Cubs are getting past the Mets with Santo still part of the organization.

Phillies win East, Dodgers win West, Brewers win Wild Card

In this scenerio, the Cubs once again face the Dodgers in the NLDS. My prediction stays the same as above.

Once again, if the Cubs do slip past L.A., I think the Brewers take care of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, so that sets up an all National League Central NLCS.

The Brewers fired manager Ned Yost. They're now the team that has no chance. In a series against the Cubs where no one gives them a shot, they prove that Billy Goats can cause curses.

Mets win East, Dodgers win West, Phillies win Wild Card

Ryan Howard vs. Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano, as much as this intrigues me, I don't see the Phillies beating the Cubs.

I see the Dodgers taking care of the Mets in that series, setting up Chicago to take a seat to Joe Torre ripping Yankee hearts out by making the World Series as Dodgers manager while the Yankees sit patiently at home waiting until CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets hit the open market.

I really don't care how it works out. As long as the Cubbies choke, I'm going into the offseason a happy person.

I love to see the Cubbies choke and all the sad faces on their drunk faces after it happens. The only thing that makes me happier is seeing St. Louis win.

Cards-Cubs rivalry about more than just the division

SalukiOrphan, one of the newest members of TBDS, provides another look of one of baseball's more storied rivalry.

If you're expecting Yanks-Sawks talk, then you can fughettaboutit.

Here's Cubs-Cards from atop the Redbirds' Perch.

As the days of September continue to wind down, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will face off in their final series at Busch Stadium this season.

The Cubs enter the series limping, losing six of the seven September games, but lead the season series 5 games to 4.

Chicago currently holds a nine game edge over St. Louis in the division. Look, they're not going to win the division this year. It's over. They're in third place, five games behind the Brewers in the NL Wild card race and I'm just about ready to wave the white flag there, too.

Still, that doesn't mean the Cardinals don't have anything to play for as the series resumes under the Arch on Tuesday night. This rivalry carries more weight than just a division crown, in fact, this rivalry is on par with Yankees-Red Sox.

The Cardinals have struggled against the Cubs in recent years, dating back to the Dusty Baker Era. Even when the Birds were on top of the National League, they still struggled against Chicago.

If St. Louis can take the season series from the Cubs, Cardinals fans can use the same argument Cubs fans have been using for years: "so what, we beat you in the season series."

Winning the season series from the Cubs would salvage an otherwise disappointing season. Otherwise, Cubs fans will be able to rub it in that they won the division and they beat St. Louis in the season series, to boot.

When that happens, all Cardinals fans will be able to talk about is how the Cubs blew it in the playoffs again.

Dear Mo: Can you please get us a bullpen this offseason?

I can't take this anymore. I'll put it bluntly: the Cardinals bullpen sucks.

General Manager John Mozeliak needs to take some of that money they are going to have in the off season and spend it on some help for the bullpen.

I'm not going to put it all on Mozeliak's head because this also has something to do with principle owner, Bill DeWitt, Jr.

I don't think he's supplying Mo with the proper funds he needs to make this team into a true title contender.

So my message to DeWitt is simple: Quit being so damn tight with your money!

This city has some of the best fans in baseball. You have the money to allow our GM to go our and get some bullpen help (I wouldn't mind a shortstop, as well, but I'm not gonna ask for too much.)

So Bill, let him do it.

This team has the potential to compete for a World Series as early as next year. If DeWitt would stop being so tight and if Mo will do his job, that goal can be accomplished.

That's all I've got for today. I think you've heard enough of my ranting.

State of the Cardinals (Plus my introduction)

So I should probably begin my first blog with an introduction of myself. 

My name is Stile Smith a.k.a. the SalukiOrphan. I am a Centralia, IL native and I'm a newbie on the staff of the Daily Egyptian at SIUC.

OK, now that we're done with the boring stuff we can get to what everybody actually cares about...the St. Louis Cardinals! 

Yes, things might be looking bad right now but things can always make a turn for the better when the two teams ahead of you are notable choke artists the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers.

There is basically no hope for the division crown. They're 11 games behind the Cubs with just a month left to play. Although they are currently 6.5 back of the Brewers as the Cardinals hold a 5-3 lead over Arizona as I type, this race is not over yet!

As my fellow blogger Luis has pointed out many times before, Ned Yost is one of the most incompetent managers in the history of baseball. Let's be honest here, the man is an idiot. As long as he is leading the way of the Brew Crew, The Birds have a chance.

In other Redbird news, Albert Pujols is currently battling Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones for the NL batting title and currently leads Chipper .364 to .358. Albert's consistency has played with all season leads me to believe he will come out on top.

Albert's continued dominance of National League pitching has to make him one of the top candidates for the NL MVP, right?

My vote says yes. 

Chase Utley is having a good year (.293 31 HR 87 RBI) and teammate Ryan Ludwick has played just as well (.301 32 HR 98 RBI), but in a season where no player is truly dominant, the award goes to Albert. Right?

Plus, he deserves one for all the trophies he got screwed out of during the Barry Bonds Era, when Bonds got the awards that rightfully belonged to Pujols.

That's all I've got for today ladies and gents. Hope you enjoyed.

Brewers fans have got to be thinking 'here we go again'

Ned Yost's boys are at it again.

Reliever Carlos Villanueva's reaction after retiring Joe Mather with the bases loaded in the seventh inning helped spark the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-3 come from behind victory against the Milwaukee Brewers.

You really can't blame Villanueva for being excited, with a 4.35 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, I'm surprised he can get anyone out, let alone a guy hitting .246.

Cards first baseman Albert Pujols took exception to Villanueva's "excessive celebration" and took it out on David Riske in the eighth inning. Pujols lead off the inning with a double and the rest of the Redbirds followed in suit, scoring four runs to over take the Brew Crew.

Doesn't that whole Brewers incite Cardinals thing sound familiar?

Like when they started a bean-ball war with the NL Central title in the balance last season?

Starting shit against your closest competitor in the Wild Card with over a month to play isn't smart. Had the Brewers won Wednesday night, they would have pushed the Cardinals 5.5 games back and had them reeling off a brief two-game sweep in their home ballpark.

Instead, a split leaves Fredbird's gang only 3.5 games out with plenty of confidence headed into Houston to take on the Astros. And they don't even have to face Roy Oswalt this upcoming weekend.

Are you ready for another classic collapse?

Let's see if the Brewers follow in a great tradition they began last fall.

'The Cadillac Of Baseball Rivalries' Is Renewed

Ed. Note: Yeah, I had to use a picture of Jim Edmonds, who is killing the ball as a Cub to the tune of a .279/.381/.588 clip with 12 homers and 36 runs batted in.

Back in January, when Cubs fans were desperately conjuring scenarios in which Ryan Dempster was dealt to a team in the North Pole and Kosuke Fukudome was projected to hit .330 with a .400 OBP, I came upon a story calling Cubs-Cards the Caddie of baseball rivalries.

And even though it takes a backseat to Yanks-Sawks, it's an analogy that hits it on the head. Because unlike Yankees-Red Sox, there isn't much personal hatred between Cubs and Cards fans...just that whole Brock for Broglio thing and that Sammy-McGwire thing and that Kent Bottenfield-won-18-games-for-you-how? thing.

It's purely a baseball thing.

Wanna start trouble at a bar? Tell a Cards fan that the Cubs have taken every season series since Dusty Baker took over the helm. Tell 'em they can't excuse Rick Ankiel's HGH-usage if they won't be willing to do the same with Barry Bonds. Tell 'em how much you love the Belgians.

They'll come back with 2006 and 100 years.In the end, it's baseball purest rivalry. Two teams representing what some would call the Midwest's finest cities in America's Game.

(Half-hearted joking sidebar: sorry, I'm not sold on a city whose main attraction is an arch...if I want arches, McDonald's has two.)

And in 2008, the stakes are bit higher.The Cubs are lead by nine All-Stars and are rolling with the best record in the National League, winning eight of its last 10 ballgames. The Cardinals in third place, six games back led by Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick, whose out-of-nowhere season is seemingly a yearly occurrence for at least one of the Cards' everyday players.

And even though they're six out in the division, the Cards are sittin' pretty in the Wild Card standings, one game behind the Brewers who are bound to have another dugout slugout before this year is done.

A series win by the Cubs could push the Cards further (or is it farther?) out of contention. A series win by the Cards gives the Saint Louisans a glimmer of hope and something to brag about until the next series.

So park your Chevrolet (or Cadillac, in this case) and break out the Apple Pie because it doesn't get more American than this.