Cardinals' need to make big statement this weekend

Following both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers splitting the first two of a four game series over the weekend inside Dodgers' Stadium; these next two game for the defending champions are blooming bigger than the expectations were entering it.

As we all know, overcoming the history books in the MLB is nothing unknown to these Saint Louis Cardinals--considering they broke all barriers last season as they won their eleventh world title in franchise history--in what many now say was the greatest World Series series ever.

But with all of the injuries--and downfalls that this team has had. As well as the distractions of many events--and not to mention the departure of both one of the greatest managers of all-time (Tony LaRussa) and a walking baseball icon to the city (Albert Pujols)--these next two games will have a lot to do with how the 2012 comeback Cardinals' book could finish off.

Many people call me crazy with me saying that--and I wouldn't argue that opinion if you had it. Sure--we could split the next two and finish it with being one game ahead as the series had started out--and even I would be satisfied--but not impressed.

I know that the final twenty games or less include a lot of teams going nowhere this season; such as nine games against the likes of the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros--and winning series' possibilities against the likes of such the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds (both of which are at home inside Busch Stadium as well)--but my gut isn't very confident in that with anything less than a sweep.

Following the injuries to Rafael Furcal and now the news breaking just yesterday about Lance Berkman's season coming to an end--confidence from here on out is huge in order for these new-look defending champions to be a serious threat at making that run at yet another world title--the twelth to be exact.

Rumors have been leaking all over lately that starting pitcher Chris Carpenter could be making his return to the Cardinals and to the MLB this coming up next week--and with his addition to an already above solid starting rotation that we have--he could be a big, big boost of confidence and a major amount of intimidation to every team around the league. If Matheny can manage to get a healthy Carpenter added in for these last few weeks--the edge in every start of his, Wainwright--and at this point, Lohse--we should always feel we will win.

There isn't much baseball left to be played in the 2012 regular season--but then again in a sense; there is a whole bunch of baseball to be played. With three weeks remaining in the season, four teams are all in the race with the Cardinals and are seperated by a insecurely four games--with St. Louis owning just a one game lead over the current opponent--Dodgers.

Certainly, with the wild card race surely to be intense and crazy from now until the last and final day of the season, the Cardinals currently control there own destiny--but with that said, confidence will be the main key and it all needs to begin starting tonight when Jaime Garcia is on the mound with a one-game wild card lead over LA with Joe Blanton on the mound.

The key to having another shot at the twelth title in 2012, it all will come down to the overall team play of the Cardinals' offense, defense, starting pitching, bullpen, and Cardinal Nation to all come together all at once. Let's get the party started!