Pennant Race (Yeah, that’s right, it’s 6/10 & I said Pennant Race)

Yes, that’s right. I said pennant race. What are you going to do about it? Think about it. After becoming one of the best teams in baseball this season due to surprises (Ryan Ludwick’s performance, starting rotation, rookies), especially after our all-star closer went down after “punching a television” (lack of self-esteem), it looks as if the team’s fate is left in the hands of the likes of Mitch Bogg’s first career start and Joel Piñiero’s return from the DL without any rehab starts. With 14 out of 25 of the Cub’s next games on the road (Cubs have a .467 W% on the road, will be facing the Braves, Jays, Rays, ChiSox, O’s, Giants, and Redbirds), and the two best Cardinals starters missing starts due to injuries (Wainwright & Wellemeyer), the next three weeks or so should really show how much the Cubs and Redbirds will have to give up around the deadline to pull ahead in the division (don’t worry, it will be the Cardinals). Over those same 25 games, the Cardinals have to face some serious contenders (Phillies 6/13-6/15, BoSox 6/20-6/22, Mets 6/30-7/3, Cubs 7/4-7/6) and some serious duds (Reds 6/10-6/12, Royals 6/17-6/19 AND 6/27-6/29, Tigers 6/24-6/26 ((did anybody really guess that the Tigers would be this bad? Honestly, I thought they would win it all this year. Oh well, it just goes to show you that the best team on paper isn’t always the best team in baseball). To hell with the trade deadline and September, from now until the time Wainwright and Wellemeyer get back and are able to hold down the fort until the heavy guns arrive (Carpenter, Mulder?, Clement) will most likely be the most trying and crucial time of the season. As it is, the Cardinals have an okay sized lead in the Wild Card Race (Marlins are 3 games back. Come on, the Marlins? Are you kidding me? After the blockbuster trade, they are staying in it just because of Han-Ram and Uggla?! Seriously, show me one person who guessed the Tigers would suck and the Fish would thrive.), so as much as every single Cardinal fan would like to see every Cubs player go down with an injury and be out for the rest of the season and fall in to last place (trust me, I’m one of them), it is not like if the Redbirds don’t win the division, then they are out of the pennant race. The same goes for the Cubs. If they fall (and history has shown that they will) then they, as much as I hate to say this, have a shot at the Wild Card). Well baseball fans, the next 25 games will prove to be some of the best baseball of the season!