1. Pujols injury update

Albert Pujols will be out for about six weeks with a fractured left wrist in a season filled with ups and downs for Puj. He sustained this injury after colliding with Wilson Betemit of the Royals in a baseball play gone wrong. The Cards have had to deal with many injuries this season to their stars. Matt Holliday has missed time, David Freese is still out, and Adam Wainwright has missed the entire season.

"You can't replace a player of his magnitude," general manager John Mozeliak said. "It just seems like we've had to deal with one injury after another.

"We still have to find ways to win games, and that's what we'll do."

The Cardinals have found ways to win games thanks to some amazing play by Lance Berkman. I don't see him cooling off. He's hitting line drives, and his BABIP is right where it should be. Detractors will point to a high HR/FB%, but that number is in line with his career numbers. Berkman is healthy, and he's mashing.

2. All Boston does is win, win, win no matter what

I feel bad for the Padres, because they stood no chance. The Red Sox scored ten runs in the seventh inning and won the game 14-6 behind Adrian Gonzalez. The interesting thing is that Orlando Hudson was the only player to hit a homer in this game. He went 3 for 5 with two runs and three RBIs. Chase Headley went 4 for 5 with a double and two runs (he scored on Hudson's dinger).

The Red Sox scored on a double play, twice on an HBP, and twice again on a walk. Evan Scribner gave up four earned runs without getting an out, and Ernesto Frieri gave up four earned runs without even giving up a hit. He walked two and was responsible for the two batters hit by pitches. Adrian Gonzalez went 3 for 5 with a double, two runs, and three steaks.

3. Lidstrom will return

This is great news for hockey fans in general, and it's the best news ever for Red Wings fans. Fellow defenseman Brian Rafalski surprised everyone by retiring when all eyes were on Lidstrom. Much to the relief of GM Ken Holland, Lidstrom will play another season in the NHL. He still hasn't lost it, and he is my pick for the Norris Trophy.A testament to his sportsmanship and leadership, Lidstrom is also a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy and Mark Messier Leadership Award.

4. Tim Hudson

That's all I need as a header for this one, because it was all about Hud in the Braves' 2-0 victory over the Jays. His Game Score of 85 was backed by a remarkable performance through eight innings. Hudson gave up just two hits and a walk while striking out eight. He broke the 1,600 mark in this game. The amazing Craig Kimbrel got his 20th save of the year by striking out the side.

Ricky Romero had a strong outing, but that was overshadowed by the greatness of Hudson. The veteran starter his his second career homer in the seventh inning with two outs. It was a two-run shot to left that was 401 feet out, and it generated the only runs scored in the game. It's safe to say that Hudson didn't have a bad game.

5. Is Jimmer a bust?

Jimmer was great in college, but I don't see him panning out in the NBA. He's a great shooter, he works hard, he's a leader, and he knows how to win games. But there have been tons of guys with those qualities who have busted out. Why? They're not good enough. Jimmer isn't a true point guard because he is only an average passer and he stinks on D. I see him being a below average player in the NBA whose real value is as a scorer off the bench. I love the kid, but I just don't see him as a guy who deserves to be a lottery pick. He should go in the late teens because of his college production.

Can the Cards get a break?

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6/19 Daily Rundown: Crawford on DL

June 19th 2011 05:53

1. Hamstring Sends Crawford to DL

Carl Crawford was put on the 15-day DL for a minor hamstring injury. The injury happened in a 10-4 win over the Brewers, and the hamstring was viewed as a Grade 1 strain. The medical staff thought it would be best for him to rest up his hamstring. Crawford was injured after beating it out for an infield single.

2. Tiki Barber Battled Depression

Tiki Barber said that he needs football and is actually looking to come back to the NFL. The year after he retired, Barber battled depression for a year thanks to events that occurred off the field. Barber was fired from working at NBC, and there was a chain of events that has led to what is happening now. He's serious about playing in the NFL, but the odds are certainly against him. One thing though: if anyone can make a comeback to the NFL as a 36 year old running back, it's Tiki.

3. Holliday's Big Day Snaps Seven Game Skid

Matt Holliday hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh, and that was all the Cards needed to beat the Royals 5-4. Holliday also had a double and a walk. Matt Treanor went 2-4 with a homer and two runs. Jake Westbrook labored through seven innings and 121 pitches. Vin Mazzaro was slightly better, but the Cardinals' bullpen fared out much better than their opponents' pen did. Trever Miller, Jason Motte, and Fernando Salas gave up just one hit in two innings with two strikeouts (combined).

4. Yanks Scrape by Cubs

The bases were loaded in the bottom of the six thanks to errors from the Yankees' middle infield. Geovany Soto hit one to left, and Brett Gardner came up with the out. Carlos Pena was barreling towards the plate, and Brett Gardner threw a beauty to Russell Martin. Pena slammed into Martin, but the Yankees' catcher absorbed the hit and got Pena out. Brett Gardner showed us why he is one of the best defensive players in baseball. Why do other Yankees fans want to replace him so much?

Mariano Rivera got another save in a poorly pitched ninth; a rarity for the best closer in history. The Cubs always tried to rally in this one, but the Yankees would hold them off each time. Robinson Cano hit two doubles and drew two walks, and Pena hit a two run shot to right. Ryan Dempster was clearly outpitched by A.J. Burnett's eight K's, and Dempster walked six and threw 119 pitches. Jeff Samardzija was also poor as he walked three in 1.1 innings pitched.

5. College Football Player Shot

Brandon Wimberly was shot in the stomach after a fight in Reno. Wimberly was with other football players, and they were in a fight with some other people. Nevada's starting receiver went up to the car, and he was shot by somebody inside the vehicle. The injuries sustained are considered serious but not life-threatening. Thank God Wimberly is OK. I would hate to see somebody killed, especially a young man with untapped potential.

15 Day DL

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, Tiki Barber, MLB, Yankees, AJ Burnett, Brett Gardner, Mariano Rivera, Robinson Cano, Russell Martin, Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Royals, Vin Mazzaro, Matt Treanor, St. Louis Cardinals, Fernando Salas, Jake Westbrook, Jason Motte, Matt Holliday, Trever Miller, Cubs, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Pena, Geovany Soto, Jeff Samardzija, Nevada, Brandon Wimberly

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6/2011 Team Scope: St. Louis Cardinals

June 8th 2011 15:11

Even without one of the best pitchers in baseball and staff ace Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals are the best team in the NL Central. They are currently two and a half games ahead of the second place Milwaukee Brewers. Albert Pujols has just started to turn up the heat after being in the worst slump of his career since he was a rookie.

Pujols is only going to get better from here on out, and another sign that points to this is his .257 BABIP. He currently has 14 dingers with 43 runs and 39 RBIs. Lance Berkman has been the story of the team so far. Although he has sucked in the field, as expected, he's been mashing it this year. Bekman is a terrible right fielder, but the Cardinals will take it given his great hitting ability.

Matt Holliday has been the best on the Cards so far this year, but you really have to keep an eye on his too good to be true .395 BABIP. One other note, Berkman also knows how to take a walk. Anyway, Colby Rasmus has looked out of sorts for a little. His fielding and baserunning definitely help him, but I worry about that .325 BABIP, .269 BA, and 22.2% K rate. Rasmus has been nothing less than intriguing thus far.

Ryan Theriot really can't field. Why did they sign him and trade Brendan Ryan again? I asked this same question a long time ago, and Theriot has done nothing to prove me wrong. Ryan can actually play shortstop. Well, look on the bright side. At least Theriot has, for the most part, come in the clutch this year. Look on the dark side- to quote Tony from Psych- because Theriot is struggling against fastballs. At least he's hitting sliders though, and he doesn't swing at stuff outside the zone either. The book on Theriot is that he can't hit, and pitchers give him a steady diet of fastballs too.

Speaking of pitchers, Jaime Garcia and Kyle Lohse have been great this year. The scary thing is that Garcia and ace Chris Carpenter are only going to get better. Carpenter has been very unlucky this year so far. Fernando Salas has been doing well as the new closer, and he'll continue to play well. I don't like his low ground ball percentage, but he's not going to suddenly drop off.

Lohse's slider and changeup have been absolutely nasty this year. I am also liking Carp's curve. Jaime Garcia and Kyle McClellan are also effectively changing speeds right now. Salas, Carpenter, and Garcia are getting hitters to swing out of the zone.

I think the Cardinals will be able to win their division, but they will definitely be challenged by the Brew Crew and the Reds. While the Cardinals aren't a great team, they have two very good pitchers as well as a lineup that features four fantastic and fearsome hitters.

Is He An Ace Yet?

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: MLB, MLB Teams, Brendan Ryan, St. Louis Cardinals, Adam Wainwright, Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter, Colby Rasmus STL, Fernando Salas, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse, Kyle McClellan, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, Ryan Theriot

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5/21 Baseball Stats Check

May 21st 2011 15:56

1. Jonny Gomes has the lowest BABIP at .185 as well as the 14th highest strikeout rate 31.2%. He is hitting .176.

2. A.J. Pierzynski is hitting .252, but he has the lowest strikeout rate in the league at 5.8%.

3. As far as hitters go, Juan Pierre has the worst WAR in the league at -1.1. Carl Crawford has the fifth lowest thanks to a .212/.247/.282 line. He'll start hitting, but Juan Pierre needs to sit on the bench really soon. This is another "What is Ozzie Doing?" moment.

4. Jose Bautista has by far the highest WAR in the league at 3.9. Bautista is in the midst of a historical season in which he has a .352/.503/.797 line with 16 home runs, 35 runs, a better walk rate than strikeout rate, and a .445 isolated power average.

5. Raul Ibanez and Juan Pierre can't field or hit. It's time for these two outfielders at the bottom of the pile in WAR and Fielding to take a seat. Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, and Shin Soo-Choo probably won't get Gold Gloves by the end of the year, but they should be on every reasonable person's short lists.

6. Jose Bautista has the highest walk rate in the league. I mean, who in their right mind would pitch it to this guy? He's having a Bonds-like year. His 3.1 Fielding is also a plus.

7. Is Justin Smoak the slowest person in baseball right now and Ian Desmond the fastest? According to the Speed stat on Fan Graphs, they are.

8. Miguel Tejada's done, and the Vernon Wells trade is looking much worse than anyone thought. Wells has a chance of playing well, but Tejada needs to call it quits after this season.

9. Two Matts, Joyce and Holliday, are definitely going to see their batting averages fall. BABIPs of over .400 usually aren't good. This especially holds true for Joyce because he doesn't have a good strikeout rate, and he's also the worse hitter of the two.

10. Is Alcides Escobar already a bust? He's a huge liability right now. David Ortiz hasn't had his "clutch-touch" of late, and the only thing good about Dexter Fowler has been his ability to come through in close situations. He can field, but he can't hit. Jim Tracy has too much faith in him, but maybe it's because he has the highest Clutch Factor in baseball right now.

All stats from www.fangraphs.com