The baseball season is long and it is hard to maintain a sprinter’s pace for a full 162 game schedule. After racing to the top of the NL Central standings, the Birds have hit an expected lull. The team has dropped 5 of their last 6 games, and has played uninspired baseball of late. Barring a complete and utter collapse down the stretch, 
the Cards will coast into the post-season. Although a trip to the playoffs is all but guaranteed for the Cardinals, their recent play has raised some doubts.
The starting pitching, which had been excellent all season, has been shaky during the Bird’s recent struggles. The fourth spot in the rotation continues to be a huge question mark. Kyle Lohse can not seem to get his body right, and now John Smoltz is experiencing tendonitis in his shoulder. In addition, the steady Joel Pineiro has given up four runs in three of his last four starts.
John Smoltz claims that his shoulder is feeling better, and will get the start Friday. Kyle Lohse is scheduled to pitch next week. If either of those guys can get it going, the concerns over the starting pitching will be put to rest. Things probably seem worse than they are because Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright have recently experienced rough outings. Each guy had one bad inning, but you know they will be ready to go with the season on the line.
Ryan Franklin is another source of anxiety as the season creeps to an end. The Cards closer has blown two saves, allowed 14 base runners, and given up 6 runs in his last 4.1 innings. He has had an excellent season, but it is impossible to ignore his history of struggles in September. If Franklin continues to struggle, the back of 
the bullpen becomes an enormous concern. Who would take his place if Frankie can’t get it together? Smoltz? Hopefully, the Birds will not have to find out.
Third base has re-emerged as a black hole. Mark DeRosa is clearly not himself. I assume that his wrist is getting worse as the season wears on because his at-bats are getting increasingly futile and his power has dried up. Troy Glaus is hurt again too. So, that leaves us with…Joe Thurston! Thurston has proven that he is not an every-day type player. David Freese has been playing well in Memphis, but I do not know if that is a realistic solution to the Birds problems at the hot corner.
I think the fourth spot in the rotation, the back of the bullpen, and the production at third are legitimate reasons for unease. Despite my worries, I still feel like the Cards are in pretty good shape heading into the postseason. Any team with a 1-2 punch of Carp and Waino, and a lineup anchored by Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday has a chance to make some noise in the tournament. As the playoffs get closer, I think the team will be re-energized and play better baseball. Even if this team continues to limp to the finish line: Remember ’06!
Extra Innings:
-Brendan Ryan has missed a couple games after jamming a finger on a dive into first base. Watching Julio Lugo at short really makes you appreciate how good Brendan is at fielding baseballs.
Pete Eichholz plays sportswriter on Thursday nights; you can read him hear on Fridays.
slippery11pete@yahoo.com