What Do The Cards Need To Win It All

[smallmouthjoe]

The Cardinals are in first place by two and a half games as of today. Their pitching staff had the third best ERA in the league and Albert is in the running for the triple crown. While Lud hasn't been doing all that great, mainly due to injury, he has been hot as of late and I think( hope) it will continue. My question is what else do The Cards need to have a shot at another championship? I feel that maybe a power hitting third basemen would go along way being that I haven't heard anything about Troy coming back. I'm just interested to hear what everyone else thinks. Thanks.

[Don]

I'm hoping DeRosa comes back soon and fills the void at third. I think the pitching staff is the key and it is good enough to get the job done. However, picking up a good starter and placing Wellemeyer in the bullpen might be a decent move.

[smallmouthjoe]

DeRosa, would be a big boost to their offense, which i view as their primary problem. We just need some more consistency on the offensive side. They've been better as of late so I hope that continues. It would be nice to send Todd and his 5.5 ERA to the bullpen so maybe he can figure out whats going on. Whose on the market really? There's a lot of teams still in it.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I'm a Royals fan of course. I can tell ya what the Cards need to at least get into the playoffs... PLAY THE ROYALS EVERY SERIES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR! Just make sure you don't run into Grienke too often...

By the way, hail to the powers above for '85!

There was a game 7 though...

[smallmouthjoe]

I just saw that we picked up Matt Holiday. That's going to help.

[Don]

Holiday mania has hit Cardinal Nation. I can't wait until his and Albert's bats light up at the same time. The Cards also have a few days off between series coming up and that will give them an opportunity to keep Wellemeyer out and use a 4 man rotation as much as possible.

Don

[smallmouthjoe]

I would almost like to see any pitcher besides Todd be inserted into the fifth spot when they need it.

[ekl-stl]

I think Wellemeyer's spot is probably given up for the rest of the season. They only need a 5th starter a few more times due to the way the rotation is positioned and the off days. They need solid pitching from Carpenter, Wianright and Piniero..Anything out of Lohse and the 5th spot is padding. The schedule favors the cardinals over the next couple weeks with the exception of the Dogers. The Cubs have a much tougher schedule and they go on the road.. What do the Cardinals need? They just need to play this thing out.. Solid lineup and if middle relief can become more consistent, they should be fine.

[flyfshn]

I agree with ekl-stl. I went to the game last Wednesday night against the Dodgers (15 innings) with my 14 year old daughter. We sat in the 14th row between the Dodgers dugout and home plate.......and yes, we stayed to the very end! I asked her if she wanted to leave in the 11th inning (I have never left early), she turned and looked at me like I was nuts and said "no way".

[Brian K. Shaffer]

JOHN SMOLTZ . Thats what they need to win it all !

Nah.. but still a cool pickup. Neat idea. He is worth something if he's pitching good besides being a cool experience clubhouse guy.

I think if all goes well --- we break 100 wins.

What do you think ? Brian