(Get) A Sporting Life

You'd think, based upon how quiet I have been (excepting all the bitching of course), that I had no sports to follow of late. Nothing could be further from the truth. Take tonight for instance. I've got three games going: the Blues are on the road against the Flyers; DC United is home for their season finale against KC; oh, and the Cards are playing game three of the World Series. Ho hum. I feel really weird. In a lot of ways I'm more annoyed at United missing the playoffs yet again then I am happy about the success of the Cardinals. Maybe that is because the Cards making the Series was less unexpected to me than DC sucking so bad. Then again maybe I'm just happier with something to bitch about. (I'd hate for that to be true... it would seem too Cub-like for comfort.) However, I *AM* pleased with the play of the Cards. The late season push was thrilling, and the playoff baseball they have been putting on the field has been of a very high caliber. It's been fun....

I don't understand it. The takeoff was beautiful. The Cards have had a nice beginning to the season. The starting pitching has been exemplary; the insertion of Rick Ankiel as an everyday center fielder has proved to be a major upgrade over a hurting Jim Edmonds; the newcomers are contributing both offensively and defensively; we are winning without huge numbers being put up by Pujols; and the bullpen is showing that they can get the job done as long as they are not overworked. Think that will last indefinitely? I don't. You can expect to get innings from Wainwright and Lohse, but who else can you really count on? You have pitchers who will be returning from various injuries, but I find it hard to believe Pineiro will be able to jump right in and be as effective as he was last year down the stretch. I also don't believe Mulder will be a plus pitcher...not this year at least. Its true, the bullpen should improve by the return of Thompson to its ranks when he is no longer need...