Here’s my version of TWIB Notes (This Week in Baseball), minus the dramatic music:
* The Cardinals missed an opportunity for a four-game winning streak following a 7-4 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. Starter Todd Wellemeyer labored throughout his five-inning performance, permitting 6 runs on 12 hits and 2 walks. He appeared to be struggling with his mechanics. The N.L. Pitcher of the Month in May has faltered in two of his past three starts (0-2, 8.77 ERA, 4.1 innings per start) as he recovers from soreness in his right elbow. In his previous outing, he did pitch five scoreless innings against Detroit. Let's hope Tuesday’s start was an aberration, not the sign of future trouble.
Another interesting side note was the fact that Ryan Ludwick did not start for a second consecutive game (he did pinch-hit in the ninth, striking out to end the game). The 29-year-old outfielder is having an All-Star season, but has cooled off considerably in June (.228 with 3 homers) after a tremendous start to the season. I didn’t mind him sitting out Monday’s game, but I would have preferred to see Ludwick starting last night. His offensive numbers are still among the best in the National League.
Also, Rick Ankiel continues to impress in his first full season as a position player. He hit his 16th homer on Tuesday night, tying him with Ludwick for the second most on the club. It was the 6th homer in the past 12 games for Ankiel, who could finish with impressive power numbers by the end of 2008.
* You might have heard the Chicago Cubs come to town this weekend for a three-game series starting Friday night. As we know, it’s a battle for N.L. Central supremacy between the team with the N.L.'s best record against one of the baseball’s most surprising teams. Depending on how the week unfolds, the series could provide an opportunity for the Cardinals to overtake first place from the Cubs. You can’t ask for much more when baseball’s best rivalry meets for an important series. 
The Cubs, who were swept by the Chicago White Sox this past weekend, have struggled lately with the absence of Carlos Zambrano (who is scheduled to start Friday) and Alfonso Soriano. Here’s the latest on the Cubbies and the upcoming series from the perspective of Chicago Sun-Times’ columnist Carol Slezak.
The series also marks the return of Jim Edmonds. Our beloved No. 15 hit .319 with 6 homers and 19 RBIs in June. It will be interesting to watch the reaction of Cardinals’ fans to the resurgent outfielder, who will likely get a standing ovation in his first at-bat. You get the feeling Edmonds will make his presence felt in the I-55 series this weekend.
It's worth noting that the Cards and Cubs will meet three more times this season (Aug. 8-10 at Wrigley; Sept. 9-11 at Busch; and Sept. 19-21 at Wrigley).
* Did you know the Cardinals have played very well in July in recent years? St. Louis went 15-11 each in 2007 and 2006, 17-9 in 2005, and 20-5 in 2004. Let’s hope history repeats itself in 2008.
* If you need another reason to appreciate the 2008 Cardinals, who entered July 1 at 48-36 and on top of the Wild Card standings, consider the plight of the 2007 team. The club was 35-42 at the same time last year for what proved to be an arduous season with injuries, unhappy players, the death of Josh Hancock, etc. Folks, enjoy the ride this season.
* I was among the 7 million Cardinals’ fans who drove west on I-70 to watch this past weekend’s Cardinals-Royals’ series at Kauffman Stadium. It never gets old to watch St. Louis fans fill up an opposing team’s stadium in a sea of red. For those who have yet to make the KC journey, I would recommend tailgating prior to the game (afterwards as well) as I did with my wife's family. As some of you know, the ballpark shares the same parking lot with Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. It’s worth the effort to get there early, enjoy BBQ and beverage, take in the sights and sounds, and mingle with Royals' fans. It’s a pretty friendly rivalry and a fun party scene.
As for Kauffman Stadium, an aging but underrated stadium, it is undergoing a $250 million renovation during the next three years. One of the new features already in place is a 84-foot by 105-foot video board, the largest in North America. It’s an impressive feature to say the least. Here’s a closer look at the renovation plans.
* The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that the defending N.L. champions Colorado Rockies -- now in last place in the N.L. West -- are considering trading outfielders Matt Holliday and Willy Taveras and reliever Brian Fuentes. Several teams, including the Cardinals, are interested in Holliday and Fuentes. While acquiring both players would satisfied two glaring needs (a RBI bat and a quality lefthander reliever), the ransom for both players would be significant. Acquiring Holliday alone would likely require Colby Rasmus and another top prospect or two in exchange. Plus, Holliday’s contract expires after 2009, and his representation is super agent Scott Boras. Perhaps acquiring Fuentes would be feasible. As for Holliday, however, the Cards should not mortgage the future for a player who might not stick around in St. Louis after his current deal expires.
* Speaking of Rasmus, have you noticed his vastly improved performance at the plate? At the end of May, Rasmus was hitting just .213 overall (including dipping below the Mendoza line for a while) with 7 homers and 21 RBIs. The month of June, however, has been a different story. In 27 games last month, the first-round 2005 draftee hit .333 with 4 homers and 15 RBIs with a .535 slugging percentage and a .441 on-base percentage. Entering Tuesday's action, Rasmus is hitting .252 with a respectable .355 on-base percentage. He also leads Memphis with 49 walks and 83 games played. Assuming he continues his upward performance, it appears the organization’s top prospect will likely be in the big leagues at some point this year.
* And speaking of players of the future, the Cards announced the signing of 2008 top pick Brett Wallace of Arizona State. Here’s the latest news on the 2008 draft class, and a link from Future Redbirds featuring a Q&A with ESPN baseball expert Keith Law, who thinks highly of Wallace.
Gabriel Kiley is a freelance sports writer based in St. Louis. Send your comments to WillTheThrill22@gmail.com
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