Cards/Cubs Review & Birds/Mets Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals lost 2 of 3 against the Chicago Cubs over the weekend, and Sunday night's game versus the Cubs was rained out and rescheduled as a day-night doubleheader on July 12th. Even though they lost the series, the Cardinals continue to pound the baseball - they have only sored less than 4 runs in a game 3 times in their first 13 games - and they are 3-0 in those games. In this team gets pitching - they are going to win a lot of games this year and possibly compete for a Division title. The New York Mets come to town on Tuesday for a 3 game series at Busch Stadium - and the pitching probables are:

Tuesday, April 21st

NYM Oliver Perez (1-1, 7.84) Perez won his first game of the year over the San Diego Padres in his last start. Lefties always give the Birds trouble and Perez is no different.

vs.

STL Todd Wellemeyer (1-1, 4.50) Wellemeyer's 2nd start of the season went much better than the first, but he will be working on 7 days rest. Will the long layoff hurt him? Command has never been Todd's strong suit.


Wednesday, April 22nd

NYM John Maine (0-1, 7.20) Maine gave up 6 runs in 5 innings against the Padres in his first loss of the year.

vs.

STL Joel Pineiro (2-0, 5.40) The Cardinals have won both of Pineiro starts, plus Pineiro is a much better pitcher at home than he is on the road.


Thursday, April 23rd

NYM Livan Hernandez (1-0, 4.63) Hernandez does what all #5 starters are expected to do - just give your team a chance to win. Hernandez is 5-5 in 16 career starts versus the Birds with a 4.33 ERA.

vs.

STL Kyle Lohse (2-0, 2.57) The good news for Lohse, similar to Pineiro, has always fared much better at Busch Stadium. The bad news - he has never pitched well against the Mets, something needs to give.