STL Cardinals Series Preview April 6-9

The St. Louis Cardinals will host the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in a 4 game series to open their 2009 season. They are expecting snow in St. Louis on Monday, and the Cardinals Front Office already has approval for a day night double header scheduled for Tuesday, just in case their is a snow out on Monday. The Cardinals were a surprise team in 2008. Yes they didn't make the playoffs, but they were in the race until late September. They did this despite having stubborn manager Tony LaRussa running Jason Isringhausen out time and time again to blow 9th inning leads. The Birds bullpen will be better with rookie fireballer Jason Motte as closer and the starting staff gets a boost with Chris Carpenter looking healthy again. The Cardinals always take care of business against the Bucs...look for the Cards to take 3 of 4 to start then year.

Game 1
PIT Paul Malholm - 2-1. 3.05 ERA last year vs. Cards. Pujols 8 for 16 lifetime vs Malholm, 1 HR, 3 RBI's and 5 walksvs. STL Adam Wainwright - Since 2007 All-Star break...only Peavy, Johan Santana & Lincecum have a lower ERA than Adam's 2.99ERA

Game 2
PIT Ian Snell - Struggled to live up to the big contract he signed prior to the 08 season 7-12 with a 5.42 ERAvs.STL Kyle Lohse - Earned a big contract after a great 08 season with the Cardinals - will Lohse be this year's Snell?? I think so!!

Game 3
PIT Zach Duke - 2005's sensational season seems like 2 decades agovs.STL Todd Wellemeyer - Pitched over his head all year in 2008, expect Welle to come back to earth

Game 4 (I will be sitting 10 rows back)
PIT Ross Ohlendorf - Power pitcher who has looked great in spring - and has only walked 2 in 22 1/3 innings vs.STL Chris Carpenter - 2005 CY Young Award Winner...a top 5 pitcher when healthy - and he is the reason the Birds have hope in 09