The month of April was one to remember in Saint Louis

Following the departures of two of the greatest player-manager combinations in the history of St. Louis Cardinals baseball--as well as all of Major League Baseball--not many people, including myself, knew exactly what to expect out of this team during the 2012 season.

The eleventh World Championship banner was raised. The players, managers, and front office all recieved there World Championship rings, they resigned Yadi to a five-year, $75 million dollar contract--but there was a spot in Cardinal Nation's hearts that just seemed empty and had a missing void.

There was no Albert Pujols. There was no Tony La Russa--and there just wasn't the same vibe around the clubhouse that there had always been for over the past decade. That doesn't mean it isn't a good thing though.

Despite the team losing both there best player statistically, possibly of all-time, and one of the greatest managers to ever manage the sport of professional baseball, new manager Mike Matheny and the guys on this team haven't seemed to change a bit.

With the month of April closed once the clock strikes midnight tonight, the team will be in first-place in the National League Central division, own a record of 14 wins and 8 losses, and still have a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season--and the best part about it all, this team truly believes they are still the very best team in the division--as well as possibly all of the National League, still.

Don't believe it? That's all on you, but when you look at the crystal ball that only the future can truly tell us, every player in the St. Louis Cardinals dugout believes it all, one-hundred and ten percent.

Dating back to the announcement that was made telling us all that Albert had indeed decided to leave 'Baseball Heaven' to go to the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem, uncertainty was all over the baseball world when the defending World Champion-Cardinals were brought up. I for one, had always expected AP to be there. He was the type of guy that comes around just once in a lifetime--and with it being for our beloved Cardinals, he was truly a special player to watch, whether it be at the plate, on the bases, or even in the field--people would pay big time money just to watch him.

But now with him gone, it just goes to show you that what I had written a few days ago is true--no matter how good you are, you're not bigger than this organization.

To a lot of people, it certainly is a suprise at how well this team has started--and sure, it pretty much is. Despite the fact that the team has yet to get a single win out of both Adam Wainwright or Chris Carpenter, we still have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Both Kyle Lohse and Lance Lynn have tallied four wins each, while Jake Westbrook has three. The bullpen has looked sharp, and Motte, besides having one blown save that was against arch-rival Chicago, has been magnificent as well.

The offense, even with all of the injuries, is back at it again as well. David Freese, who was the ultimate hero last season, is doing it again to start 2012. While he is tied for the lead in home runs, he is also becoming a star in this league. It almost feels like AP all over again, especially when the guy is playing at home. Pitchers all around the league are once again starting to take notice of him, as he is becoming a force to be reckoned with while standing in the batters box.

The offense has done it's part as David Freese and new outfielder Carlos Beltran have both hit five home-runs. Rafael Furcal is once again looking like his old self and has been the best leadoff hitter we have had in years, and the team is slowly starting to regain health.

The Cardinals have the best record in the division by four games currently, but have yet to see a single at-bat from Allen Craig, have had injuries to Skip Schumaker, Jon Jay, and Lance Berkman that has held them all out of over a handful of games, and as I already stated, the two Cy Young canidate-worthy pitchers in Wainwright and Carpenter, have yet to record a win.

Molina is showing his worth to the Cardinals, and the baseball world, as he is leading his pitchers to overwhelming starts, and is striving at the plate as he showed on Saturday during the teams' 7-to-3 win over Milwaukee when he went 4-for-4 with a game-winning two-run home run. He truly is being the leader that Albert and Tony once were, but even better.

This team simply strives because of great management in the front office. With the valuable assets this team loss in the off-season, it is pretty hard to believe that it doesn't even seem like theyve missed a beat. Matheny, who was one of the fan favorites in Saint Louis during his playing days, has been as good of a manager as we have seen in his first season. He is loose in the dugout and lets the guys play.

This team is striving with everything that they have gone through, and after the first month of baseball over here in "Heaven", there is still a lot more good things to look forward to. With everything going as well as it is, this team could become even more dangerous once the injury bugs go away. With all of that said, the month of April 2012 was definitely one to remember in the greatest sports city in the world, Saint Louis.

This week in Saint Louis Cardinals Baseball

(Monday, April 30th through Sunday, May 6th)

Monday, April 30th
-No Game; The team has the day off.

Tuesday, May 1st
-St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:15 pm Central Time, FOX Sports Midwest)
Adam Wainwright - (0-3, 7.32 ERA) (STL) against Charlie Morton - (1-1, 2.65 ERA) (PIT)

Wednesday, May 2nd
-St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:15 pm Central Time, FOX Sports Midwest)
Lance Lynn (4-0, 1.33 ERA) (STL) against AJ Burnett - (1-1, 1.38 ERA) (PIT)

Thursday, May 3rd
-St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (12:45 pm Central Time, FOX Sports Midwest)
Jake Westbrook - (3-1, 1.39 ERA) (STL) against Erik Bedard (1-4, 2.48 ERA) (PIT)

Friday, May 4th
-St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros (7:05 pm Central Time, FOX Sports Midwest)
Kyle Lohse - (4-0, 1.62 ERA) (STL) against Lucas Harrell (1-2, 4.71 ERA) (HOU)

Saturday, May 5th
-St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros (6:05 pm Central Time, FOX Sports Midwest)
Jaime Garcia - (2-1, 2.78 ERA) (STL) against Bud Norris - (1-1, 5.84 ERA) (HOU)

Sunday, May 6th
-St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros (1:05 pm Central Time, FOX Sports Midwest)
Adam Wainwright - (0-3, 7.32 ERA) (STL) against J.A. Happ - (1-1, 4.70 ERA) (HOU)

Cards late rally falls short; Brewers avoid sweep, 3-2

Yadier Molina and his first-place St. Louis Cardinals had the sweep completed at the tip of there fingers. A leadoff walk to Matt Holliday followed by a single from Carlos Beltran that advanced pinch-runner Tyler Greene to third; putting runners on the corners, nobody out, and a 3-2 Brewer lead.

Following a five-pitch strikeout of David Freese, Yadier Molina came up to the plate--who is someone that strike's out less than just about everyone in baseball. On a 1-2 count from Brewers' closer John Axford, Tyler Greene took off on a pitch that struck Molina out, and in a run-down, ultimately ended the game and the Cardinals late ninth inning rally once they tagged out Greene at home-plate.

The uncommon 'strike him out; throw him out' double play happened, ending the defending world champion Cardinals overall win streak of four games; and putting the Brewers back at four games behind in the division race.

In what was a pitchers' duel through the first six innings, in which Jaime Garcia and St. Louis had held a 1-to-0 lead, the Brewers got a very impressive start from starting pitcher Zack Greinke, as well as a much-needed two-run double off the bat of Jonathan Lucroy in the top of the six that drove in both Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart to put Milwaukee up 3-to-1; and ultimately proving to be the game-winning hit.

Cardinals started Jaime Garcia was given the lost despite the pretty impressive start overall. He lasted seven-innings in the game, giving up three runs on nine hits over the span of 98 total pitches. Garcia struck out six batters as well, and allowed just one 'base-on-balls', which was to the Brewers lead-off man, Rickie Weeks.

Brewers starter Zack Greinke pretty much stole the show from the mound though. This was the most efficient start that I have seen from him through four starts--despite the fact that he walked four Cardinal batters. He allowed one run on seven hits in six innings of work and struck out two. The win improved Greinke to 3-1 on the season, and bumped his earned-run average down to 3.94 on the season--while Jaime's improved to 2.78 for the year.

The Cardinals bullpen was certainly as efficient as you can be. Both Kyle McClellan and Marc Rzepczynski pitched one inning of work--and through just a total of 15 pitches. The two combined for just one strikeout--but gave up no runs, no hits and no base-runners--which in my opinion is pretty impressive for late-inning work with your team trailing by one-run.

The Cardinals managed to muster there two-runs of offense from an RBI single from Rafael Furcal that drove in Skip Schumaker--and on a fielders choice that scored Matt Carpenter off of the bat of Daniel Descalso--and even though the team only scored two runs, they ended with eleven hits total. (but thats what happens when you strand thirteen total base-runners).

The save was rewarded to Axford, which was his fifth of the season. Despite the two base-runners reaching, and the drama that St. Louis delivered in the bottom half of the ninth, it still wasn't pretty.

St. Louis falls to 14-8 overall on the season, and has it's lead in the division over Milwaukee fall to now four games. The Cardinals will take tomorrow off before opening up a three game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates starting on Tuesday night inside Busch Stadium.

Cards Lineup with sweep of Brewers on the line (4/29)

For the first time in nearly five years, new manager Mike Matheny and his Saint Louis Cardinals have an opportunity to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers in a three game series inside Busch Stadium.

With the team eyeing that exact feat entering today's contest, Jaime Gacia will be on the mound to face arguably the Brewers best starting pitcher, Zack Greinke--in a 1:15 p.m. Central start time.

The Cardinals are currently 4-1 against Milwaukee this season--which is who the team faced last season in the National League Championship Series with the World Series on the line. The Cardinals won that series in six games, which marked the final meeting between the two ballclubs with the presence of Albert Pujols in white and red; and Prince Fielder sporting the dark blue and brown.

Milwaukee will try avoid being swept and falling even farther behind the first-place Cards' in the National League Central division race--which as of right now is at five whole games.

The Cardinals enter the contest owning an impressive record of 14-7; while reigning National League Most Valuable Player award winner Ryan Braun and his Brewers currently stand at 9-12.

Here is a peak at the lineup that Matheny is putting on the field for this afternoons game:

1. Rafael Furcal (shortstop)
2. Jon Jay (centerfield)
3. Matt Holliday (left field)
4. Carlos Beltran (right field)
5. David Freese (third base)
6. Yadier Molina (catcher)
7. Matt Carpenter (first base)
8. Skip Schumaker (second base)
9. Jaime Garcia (starting pitcher)

With the team once again eyeing an opportunity at the first sweep of the season, Matheny decided to stick with the big-boppers in the lineup. This game is certainly more important than most games in late April, as the Cardinals currently lead the Brewers by five games. Today's game is a two-game-swing in the standings as every division game is--and Milwaukee is a team that many anticipate to stick around and battle for the Central division crown all season long. Play ball!

Yadier Molina proving what he's worth to the Cardinals

Yadier Molina is the face of the Saint Louis Cardinals' franchise. He is the exact-needed centerpiece of a championship-winning team--and he is one of, if not the most important, player on the field.

They all have a nice, encouraging ring to them now, don't they?

Just one month into the Cardinals' new era without Albert Pujols, all of them statements are starting to make more, and more sense. Back when Albert was on this team, he was never NOT the most feared, deadly, and focused on player in every players mind in the opposing dugout--which isn't a suprise based on how incredible his career with the team was, but still.

The one thing that makes me smile is the fact that I have been saying this for quite a while now (which has been my opinion for the past few seasons now). But when I used to state these opinions to friends, coworkers, baseball fans, or whoever it was too--I was either laughed at, or looked at in an uncommon gesture.

Now, in 2012, with Albert deciding to part ways with the team and organization, it's all starting to quickly come together. Yadi is doing everything the exact same way that he's been doing basically his entire career behind the plate in a Cardinals uniform.

He can do it all. He can win games in just about every way there is possible. Whether it be with his glove, his cannon for an arm, his bat, and even his mind. Yadi is flat-out, plain and simple, the real deal.

Everybody knows what he can do behind the plate with a man on the bases, and everbody knows what he can do in clutch at-bat situations. One thing that many don't know though, is the kind of teacher that he is to every pitcher on the Cardinals' pitching staff when they are on the mound.

Do you think it's a couqu that the pitching staff is off to such a great start? Especially considering the fact that the teams top two pitchers have yet to record a win with Wainwright off to a shaky start following his return from a one-year layoff following Tommy John surgery; and Chris Carpenter, who has been on the disabled-list all month following an injury during spring training? Many do, but I don't consider myself one of them.

Sure, I am pretty impressed with the starts to the season from Lance Lynn; but not so much Lohse. Molina is the anchor to the staff; and as a particular quote i've always followed, "with age comes experience". He knows most of the hitters at the plate, and he has a lot of knowledge. With as well as he knows both the hitters, as well as his pitching staff, he is becoming all that much more dangerous as he knows when to make the right calls.

For anybody who has played the game of baseball, many know how important the catcher position truly is. The position is pretty much equvialent to a quarterback in football. You have large responsibilities, and if you make a mistake at any point and time; the game could be over.

We all know how good and valuable the big bats are to this team; as well as the pitchers--and we all know the talent that each player has as an individual. I would never in any way take credit away from any of the players on a championship team--especially players such as Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, David Freese, or any of the players--but the truth is; stats and facts don't lie.

There aren't many catchers in baseball today, or even in history, that come very close to the worth of what Yadier Molina has been worth to "Baseball Heaven", but if there is one thing that is definitely making itself known, it's that Yadier Molina is most certainly proving the importance that he provides to this ball club -- and the best thing about it all -- Yadier will be behind the plate for the Birds on the Bat for at least another five seasons, deserving every bit of the $75 million dollars he was signed for.

Cards beat Brewers 7-3; Lohse stays perfect (4/28)

Yadier Molina normally makes his presence felt for what he does behind the plate with his glove and his cannon of an arm--and on a day where he recieved two awards for his outstanding defense, he stole the show with his outstanding performance at the plate with the bat in his hands.

Molina went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run and his first-place St. Louis Cardinals defeated defending National League MVP Ryan Braun and the Milwaukee Brewers 7-to-3 for a second straight game in front of another sell-out crowd inside Busch Stadium.

In what is a rematch of last season's National League Championship Series, both teams seem to be going in completely opposite directions.

The win for the Cardinals improved there record to 14-7 and improved there NL Central division lead over the second-place Brewers by a total of five games.

Kyle Lohse joined teammate Lance Lynn in the four-win category today as well as he pitched six innings of work, giving up three runs on six hits along with five strikeouts. It certainly wasn't as good as his first three starts, especially considering he walked a season-high four batters, but all in all, a win is a win.

Milwaukee got offense by two solo home runs from the likes of Aramis Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez; as well as a run that was walked in with catcher' George Kottaras at the plate in the top half of the sixth inning by Lohse.

Ramirez extended his hitting-streak to six-games following his first inning home run, and drove in the first run off of Lohse in the first five innings of any of his first four starts to the season.

In celebrating of his 29th birthday, David Freese got into the action as he went 1-for-4 with a solo home run deep to center field in the fourth inning to give the Cards' a 3-1 lead at the time. Both Jon Jay and Skip Schumaker also stayed hot as Jay finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI and Schumaker with a hit and two runs batted in.

In a three-to-three tie game in the sixth inning, Molina's two-run home run put the birds' up 5-to-3 and eventually proved to be the game-winner. Following the blast, Molina recieved a curtain call from the home-crowd.

Estrada, who only made his second start of the season today, pitched six innings. He gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out two as well as walking two.

The bullpen for the Cardinals continued to step it up as Marte, Boggs, and Motte all combined for three innings of work while only allowing one hit, no runs, and four strikeouts.

The Cardinals improved to 4-1 against the Brewers this season, and will be going for a three game series sweep on Sunday afternoon (1:15 pm Central Time) when Jaime Garcia duels it out against arguably the ace of Milwaukee, Zach Grienkie.

Cardinals aim to wrap Brewers series up later today

Saint Louis Cardinals (13-7) versus Milwaukee Brewers (9-11)

Saturday, April 28th

Where: Busch Stadium -- St. Louis, Missouri

Time: 12:00 pm Central Time

Television: nationally televised on FOX

Pitching Matchup:

Marco Estrada (0-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. Kyle Lohse (3-0, 0.99 ERA)

Season Series between the Cardinals/Brewers (4 games total):

Cardinals lead three games to one

Division Standings for both teams:

St. Louis Cardinals (first place in National League Central division)

Milwaukee Brewers (second place in National League Central division) --four games behind Cardinals.

Expected Gametime Weather Conditions:

58 degrees; mostly cloudy

T-Cobb's Pregame Prediction:

Cardinals 5, Brewers 4

*Lineups will be posted tomorrow morning before first pitch, as well as a live streaming link for the game.

Freese continues to turn heads around baseball world

Ever since the Saint Louis Cardinals acquired hometown kid David Freese from the San Diego Padres in a trade for one of the all-time Cardinal greats, Jim Edmonds--everybody knew that there was something special him--but not many expected something this special.

Dating back to last season's rediculously-insane run through the playoffs, all the way to game seven of the World Series, Freese has done an excellent job at making his presence felt by every one around him--no matter if they are his teammaters, his opponents, and even baseball fans from all around the globe.

What Freese did in game six of the World Series last season is what every player in the majors has once dreamed of--and for the record, in that very same game, he did it twice in just three innings in front of millions all around the world. Not that he hadn't arrived before that at-bat in the eleventh inning, but that very at-bat made Freese as big as he is today. What he did, no matter if it were during a deep sleep, or just out in the back yard by themselves, every player has dreamed about being in the position he was in, and coming through the way he did.

The kid came from baseball stardom through high school and college, to being almost out of baseball following past DUI's, to now being one of the centerpiece's to the franchise that he grew up as a young kid watching, looking up to, and idolizing. It certainly is one of the truly amazing "feel good stories" around not only baseball, but all of professional sports world-wide.

An off-season following his arrival to the baseball map, a lot of players would have been fine with calling that good enough for an entire career, but not this kid. Despite hearing in the past from many people that Freese has had a tough time keeping a positive attitude, the guy has really seemed to mature altogether. As a player, and as a human being as well.

Ever since the Cardinals got him in the trade, I have heard a lot of people doubt the kid. I can't say that I have ever doubted him, but I surely can't say I expected all of this out of him. The best aspect of his huge postseason explosion, you can truly tell that he is working hard and doing everything he can do to get better at both the plate and in the field--which is something that Cardinal Nation recognizes, as well as appreciates, very highly.

Dating back from last season up until now, Freese has put up some incredibly insane numbers--and dare I say it, is starting to feel more and more like the earlier years of Mr. Albert Pujols when he first debuted in front of baseball heaven, aka Cardinal Nation.

Over the past forty-five games, Freese is batting .378 with an on-base percentage of .439 with fourteen doubles, two triples, ten home runs, and forty-eight runs batted in. After doing a little bit of math tonight, over a span of 162 games, he would be on pace to finish a full regular season with some magic numbers of fifty-one doubles, seven triples, thirty-six home runs, and an electricfying 173 runs-batted in.

A lot of people are begining to realize how good of a player Freese is truly starting to become--and in my opinion, he is a huge key-factor in determining how good this team can truly be this season. If the kid can stay healthy over the entire season, this team could prove to possibly be once again true title contenders.

There is so much potential on this team it's freakin' amazing. We have suprises coming from left, right, and center and they just keep on piling up. Considering everything that this team has accomplished through the first month of the season, this team is doing all of this with Lance Berkman playing in just a small handful of games, both of our aces' being winless, Allen Craig having still not taken an at-bat, and various other minor injuries.

If Freese can continue to stay healthy as he has been thus far, this team is certainly on the road to glory. Say what ever you want about this kid, but an MVP award is most definitely in his sight in the near future from what my gut is telling me--and as he has been doing since the NLCS started last season, the heads around the baseball world just keep on turning and turning.

David Freese has arrived ladies and gentlemen.

Cards score eight in third; beat Brewers 13 to 1 (4/27)

The St. Louis Cardinals exploded for eight runs in the third-inning, got a strong outing from starting pitcher Jake Westbrook, and defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 13-to-1 on Friday night to open up a three game weekend series at Busch Stadium.

Jake Westbrook gave up one run in seven innings of work, and improved his record on the season to 3-1 overall. Westbrook finished the night with no walks and five strikeouts.

The Cardinals, who improved to 13-7 on the season with tonight's win, set a season-high in both runs in an inning (eight in the third) and total runs in a game (13). The win was the eighth time in the teams last twelve overall.

On the other hand, Milwaukee starter Yovanni Gallardo had a start he hopes to very soon forget about. He was pulled after just two innings of work following his shortest outing of the season in which he gave up eight runs on eight hits. He threw sixty-eight pitches total on the night--but just 39 for strikes.

The Brewers got a lot of bullpen work tonight, as they used three guys for a combined six-innings of work. McClendon threw three innings and gave up four runs on five hits, while Parra threw two scoreless innings and Dillard gave up one run on two hits in just an inning of work.

The Cardinals bullpen featured two innings total out of both J.C. Romero and Fernando Salas. The two pitchers combined to give up no hits, nor any base runners.

The Cardinals exploded for an electric-offensive output that included thirteen runs and fifteen hits. Both Jon Jay and Skip Schumaker combined to go 5-for-8 from the plate with six RBIs--leading to both of them splitting "RedBird Nation's" player of the game award.

Everybody that started the game for the Cardinals tonight got atleast one hit and scored atleast one run--with the exception of the starting pitcher Westbrook.

St. Louis entered the bottom half of the third inning with a 2-1 lead before starting the explosion when Carlos Beltran singled to right to score Jay. Freese followed that up with a single to center that scored Matt Holliday to bring the lead to 4-to-1. The Cardinals did all this without hitting a single home run--which makes this offensive game all that much more impressive.

Yadier Molina finished the night with two hits over four at bats and drove in two runs as well. The Cardinals improved there first place record in the NL Central to 13-7 while Milwaukee fell to 9-11--the Cardinals now lead the series season between the two foes by a total of 3-1 heading into tomorrow's game that will be nationally televised on FOX starting at noon central time.

Lance Lynn starting to take the league by storm

Following the celebration of the St. Louis Cardinals' NL-best eleventh world championship in 2011, rumors and news around Cardinal Nation exploded the forums and message boards had a lot of people wanting and expecting Lance Lynn to come from the bullpen.

Man am I glad that former Cardinals-great, and new Cardinals manager Mike Matheny had the decision and not some of the other fans, or "posters" on the forums and message boards.

Following an off-season in which Chris Carpenter had gotten surgery; and team-ace Adam Wainwright was still nearing the end of his 'Tommy John' surgery, Lynn had a lot of weight and space to fill for the spot that he took to start this new season.

Following a season last year that Lynn had come from the heavily-used bullpen rotation that former manager Tony La Russa had been using, Lance finished 2011 with an ERA of 3.12, while giving up twelve earned-runs over twenty-five hits; in 34 2/3 innings pitched. In the postseason during the team's title run, Lynn stepped his game up as he appeared in ten games while giving the Cardinals eleven innings in relief with an earned-run average of 3.27. He gave up four earned runs on ten hits in his eleven innings, and finished with a 2-0 record.

Starting as the team's fifth overall starter to start the 2012 season, Lynn has been making sure the rest of the league is taking notice. He is 4-0 in four starts and has given up just four earned-runs on sixteen hits through twenty-seven innings pitched. Lynn currently leads the majors with his four wins, and will be getting his next start next week against the Houston Astros following the current three game series against the division-rival Brewers.

Lynn currently ranks ninth in the league with twenty-seven innings putched, seventh in the league with an ERA of 1.33, and sixth in the league currently with a 0.81 WHIP average.

He is doing all of this and is doing nothing more than filling in the spot for one of the team's best starting pitcher in Carpenter. Lynn has done some pretty monumentus things during the first month of baseball, is certainly taking the league by storm at the moment.

Lynn has won each of his first four starts this season, and has not allowed more than one earned-run in each. The only other Cardinals starter in the last ninety seasons to start a new champaign with recording wins in each of his first four starts and not allow anymore than just one earned-run was in the year of 1937 by the late-great, well known Dizzy Dean--who did that through his first five starts that year.

I'm certainly not saying Lance Lynn is cy-young worthy right now; nor saying that he will be at any point during this season or the near future, but if he continues to do what he is doing, then it will most definitefly make it even harder to not keep him in the five-man starting rotation, atleast in my opinion. I most definitely did not expect the start from Lance that he is providing; but he is most certainly making sure the rest of the majors is taking notice.

Pregamin' with RedBird Nation: Cards vs. Brewers (4/27)

The Cardinals avoided being swept in Wrigley Field for the first time since 2006 on Wednesday afternoon as they were propelled by another terrific start from Lance Lynn and by last season's NLCS and World Series hero, David Freese, as he hit a two-run home run that eventually proved to be the game winning hit.

Tonight the Cardinals will be looking towards starting pitcher Jake Westbrook when the team hosts' Central-division foes' Milwaukee Brewers, which is a rematch from last season's National League Championship Series that St. Louis won in six games.

This series will be the second one between the two teams this season, as the Cardinals won two-of-three in Milwaukee's season-opening series at Miller Park in Wisconsin.

Yovanni Gallardo will be making his second start of the young season tonight against the defending world champions--but his first inside Busch for the 2012 champaign. He lost his first start at home on April 6th as he gave up six earned-runs on seven hits in just 3 2/3 innings.

The Cardinals (12-7) enter tonight's contest in first place in the Central division, while the Brewers (9-10) enter the game tied for second place with the Cincinnati Reds. Here is a look at the lineup that Mike Matheny has decided to go with for tonight's contest:

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Jon Jay, CF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Carlos Beltran, RF
5. David Freese, 3B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Matt Carpenter, 1B
8. Skip Schumaker, 2B
9. Jake Westbrook, P

The Brewers have decided to go with Gallardo in game one, and Marco Estrada in tomorrow's game.*sorry for the typo in last night's post.

Tonight's game will deliver the first pitch live at 7:15 pm Central Time, and will be televised on FOX Sports Midwest locally. Here is a link for a live streaming of tonight's contest (which will not begin until the first pitch).

Click this link to watch the game live from your phone or your computer (live feed will not begin until first pitch).

Westbrook, Cardinals host Brewers later on tonight

Following a three-game road series against the Cubbies in Chicago during the week, Jake Westbrook and the National League Central division leading Cardinals get set to host the Milwaukee Brewers in a rematch of last season's NLCS for three games over the weekend starting tonight at seven inside Busch Stadium.

Westbrook is 2-1 on the season with an all impressive earned-run average of 1.31. In three starts this season, Westbrook has only given up three earned runs in 20 2/3 innings and has also struck out ten and walked just four (all of which were in his last start against Cincinnati).

Starting on the mound for the Brewers tomorrow will be Marco Estrada, who will be making just his second start of the young season. He made his first start last Saturday against the Colorado Rockies as he struck out nine and gave up just one run in five innings pitched in a 9-4 win. Before Saturday, he had been coming from the bullpen and had tallied just one and two-thirds innings pitched but had given up no runs and had struck out two batters. In 64 career innings away from Milwaukee, Estrada has posted a 6.89 earned-run average.

This seeries marks the beginning of a six-game home stand that will conclude next week with three games against the Houston Astros. The Cardinals and Brewers played a three game series the first weekend of the season in which St. Louis won two of three in Milwaukee. But with the offense having been in a small slump over the past few games, Matheny is hoping that the improvement of Jon Jay and the bats can get it going over the weekend.

Tonight's game will be televised on FOX Sports Midwest and will have the first pitch thrown at 7:15 pm Central Time. I will post game lineups when they are out and will also post a link to watch the game online with the lineups as well.

No player is bigger than the organization itself

Following the departure of one of the all-time Saint Louis Cardinals' greats, Albert Pujols, Cardinals' newest general manager John Mozeliak did an amazing job of showing "Cardinal Nation", as well as the entire baseball world, that no matter how good you are or have been--you're nowhere near as big as the organization itself.

Looking back at the recent-past of professional sports, when a team loses such a big superstar as Albert Pujols was to this team, and the sport of Major League Baseball, a lot of organizations crumble. (The Cavaliers are a great example of this following there departure of hometown superstar LeBron James when he exited Cleveland for the likes of the Miami Heat).

There is no doubt whatsoever that the very second that the news broke world-wide that Pujols' was indeed leaving Saint Louis for the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem, everybody that is apart of "Cardinal Nation" had a broken heart and couldn't believe it at all. Albert did so many things for this team, which included two World Series championships for the greatest baseball town in the entire world--and even though he decided that St. Louis wasn't where he wanted to finish out his insanely-good career, I am very happy and truly satisfied with the way the front office took care of business and went about the whole departure.

The front office handled it the way that any true championship organization should have. Sure, since the moment that the Cardinals even thought about Pujols leaving, which was the second he signed his last contract with the team, they knew that they couldn't let him go. He has been a notorious-icon for Cardinal Nation since the first time he stepped onto the field for the birds on the bat. He is the type of player that only comes around once in a lifetime--and that specific player that any true baseball fan would actually pay the big bucks to go see play.

Also, Pujols was the type of player that any manager would be amazed to manage. A guy that can play as well as he does, and that can make such a big difference in the club house and behind closed doors, you just don't let walk away from your team. He could truly define a career with even very little talent behind him--and why? Because he forces the best out of not only himself, but out of every teammate of his as well.

The exact-instant that Mozeliak was informed that his superstar wasn't returning could have very well ended his short-tenured managing career--but it didn't--and not only did he lose possibly the greatest hitter of all-time, he also lost arguably the greatest manager of all time in Tony LaRussa as well.

Last season was one of the greatest seasons in Cardinal history--but as the record books prove, not many teams have even come close to doing what 2011's team did. With both losses in Pujols and LaRussa, months following the championship, nobody in there right mind could have been very high on the 2012 squad--except for Mo.

He went out and got himself a great upside-potentialed manager, convinced Dave Duncan (who has been a huge factor in the Cardinals' success under La Russa) to stay as the team's pitching coach, and even went out and got this team some power at the plate--as well as some big time help in a very thin bullpen.

He resigned Rafael Furcal to a two-year deal, which has been the Cardinals best lead-off hitter in years, resigned an improving Skip Schumaker for a cheap price, and also went out and signed an absolute Cardinal-killer from the recent past for two years in Carlos Beltran. A few days later, he proved he wasn't done when he signed J.C. Romero to a one year contract, and while he wasn't the absolute best avaliable at the time, but is another guy that has been nasty in the past--and if there is one thing that we all know, Dave Duncan has had very good luck in working magic to bring out the best in a lot of pitchers that were struggling before hand.

Then on March 1st, Mo probably made his biggest and most important move when he announced the resigning of Yadier Molina to a five-year, $75 million dollar contract, making him the second-highest catcher in all of baseball behind just Joe Mauer of Minnesota, who won the AL MVP award just two seasons ago. Despite what a lot of people believe, I truly do believe that Molina is the biggest commadity that this team has. He not only has been dominant behind the plate blocking balls and throwing out base-runners trying to steal, but he calls the pitches for every pitch thrown and knows how to win games being a players type of coach. He can change games in three different ways--which I can't think of any other player in the league that can do that.

Mozeliak did one heck of a job at keeping together a championship team that lost the valuable pieces that we did. As he stated in the press-conference following the Pujols-departure, "I made the move because it's what was best for my team and the future." For the price that Pujols wanted--as well as recieved, would have made the future of this team for the next ten seasons sink quicker than a weight in water.

What Mo did for the Cardinals, the fans, and for all of the sports world was a valuable lesson learned. No matter the talent, the records, or the name on the back of the jersey is bigger than the symbol on the front of the jersey. Oh, and for Albert Pujols himself, we won championships before you came--and we will win championships after you. (little bitter, but can you blame me?)

Pre-Gamin' with T-Cobb: Cards at Cubs: 1:20pm (4/25)

Saint Louis Cardinals (11-7) at Chicago Cubs (6-12) -- 1:20 pm -- FSN Midwest/WGN National

Entering today's contest, Carlos Beltran and the new-look Cardinals look to rebound from there first series' lost since the beginning of September of last season. The Cubs on the other hand, following back-to-back walk off wins in the series, look for there first of which may not be many, sweeps.

The Cardinals will be sending Lance Lynn to the mound in hopes that he can continue his strong start and improve his record from three wins to an all-around impressive 4-0. As for the Cubs, they will be sending newly-aquired Chris Volstad to the mound. Volstad, who has struggled to start this season, is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.19.

Matheny made a few changes to the lineup today as Shane Robinson will be getting the start out in right, and Daniel Descalso will be getting the start at second base. With another quality start today for the Cardinals, with this lineup, Lance Lynn should be able to improve to 4-0 to finish this month out perfect. He has been a big reason why the Cardinals are where they are at right now. I expect the bats to get some runs early--and often. Hopefully today is a breakout game for this offense so we can end this little slump.

Here is a quick look at the lineup that Matheny posted for this afternoon's 1:20 first pitch.



Today's Lineup: (4/25/12)

1. Rafael Furcal, SS

2. Matt Carpenter, 1B

3. Matt Holliday, LF

4. Carlos Beltran, RF

5. David Freese, 3B

6. Yadier Molina, C

7. Daniel Descalso, 2B

8. Shane Robinson, CF

9. Lance Lynn, P

Today's Pitching Matchup:

Lance Lynn (3-0, 1.42 ERA, 0.737 WHIP) -- Cardinals

versus

Chris Volstad (0-2, 6.19 ERA, 1.375 WHIP) -- Cubs

(Chicago Cubs lead three game series two games to none) -- (season series: STL leads 3-2)
-Game 1: Chicago Cubs 3, Saint Louis Cardinals 2
-Game 2: Chicago Cubs 3, Saint Louis Cardinals 2 (10 Innings)

Cardinals Aim to Avoid Sweep in Chicago Later Today

Following Tuesday night's tenth-inning 3-to-2 loss in Chicago, the Saint Louis Cardinals ended there stretch of thirteen straight series' wins--dating back all the way to the series against Cincinatti from September second through the fourth--and it wasn't very pretty.

In what many feel was a controversial win for the Scrubs *cough cough* I mean Cubs, new manager Mike Matheny and his relentless unit will be seeking revenge later on this afternoon, bank on that.

Lance Lynn, who is 3-0 on the season, will be on the mound--and even better news, the Cardinals will be amped up. Following that disaster that they called a game last night, one thing you can bet is that it woke this team up. The team has gone in a small slump at the plate at the moment, and if it weren't for Matt Holliday's two-run bomb in the eighth last night, this team would have been shut out with just five hits--and although Matt Garza isn't a bad pitcher, he's still not elite--but either way, in a 162 game season, this stuff just happens from time-to-time.

The Cubs play up to the Cardinals level every single season when it comes to head-to-head--but that's why there is 140+ more games that we play. That's one thing I have never understood about the Cubs past ball clubs. If they cared as much about every game as they do against our beloved Cardinals, they might actually make a nice run--but then again, that's why they are the Cubs.

The game today will deliver the first pitch at 1:20 pm Central Time and will be played at Wrigley Field. I will have lineups posted before the first pitch and will also post a link to the game for online streaming. Beat the Cubs!

Welcome aboard to Cardinal Nation! - TCobb

Do you bleed Cardinal red? Not just red, but that instinct 'Cardinal Red' that only us die-hard fanatics bleed? Well, if you do, then this is your newest spot for anything and everything going on surrounding the organization of the Saint Louis Cardinals baseball team.

The name is Tyler Cobb. I am currently twenty-one years young, and in my mind, the biggest die-hard Cardinals fan out there. I have followed the team since I was about eight years old, and ever since they have been a huge part of my life--and I want to put a very special thank you out there to my dad, Bill Cobb, who brought me into a very special family which we all call "Cardinal Nation".

I have followed the Cardinals since I was eight and was blessed enough to see Big Mac's incredible record breaking home run season of 70 bombs, the rediculously-insanely-monsterous start of a career for Albert Pujols--which included two world series title (2006, 2011), and the end of Tony La Russa's career, who is arguably one of the greatest managers of all-time in baseball history. I got to see a lot of history and have a lot of memories from my child hood that include this team and family, and am very excited to be sharing my own view on things with the team and for the feed back.

My goal profession-wise is to become a pro-sports radio/TV broadcaster or writer. I am planning on starting at junior college this coming fall, in which will hopefully be a big start to achieving it. I will be writing everything on this blog to help me get better and to hopefully start up a fan collection to my writing. Please feel free to critisize at any time, and any and all critisizm is accepted.

The blog will include game previews, game recaps, my own team and player stories on the Cardinals as well as some from around the league. Everything posted will be coming from me, and a lot of it will be very opinionated. Feel free to comment on the stories, send me an email at cobbtyler025@yahoo.com , or follow me on twitter at @tcobb1990. Thank you for reading and continue to come back! 11 in '11 was amazing, but 12 in '12 will be even sweeter!