After a two-year absence, the Cardinals are back in the playoffs!  As I write this, the Cardinals’ magic number is technically at 1, but the Birds own the tie-breaker over the Cubs, and will represent the NL Central in the postseason tournament.  However, don’t tell Tony it’s over.  According to LaRussa’s rules, the team cannot celebrate the division championship until after their next victory.  Tony doesn’t party after losses.


LaRussa’s policy of celebrating on a high note is cool with me, so if the Cards want to party like it is 2006 this weekend; they will have to win against a team they haven’t beat this year.  The Birds travel to Colorado to face their possible first-round opponent.  The Rockies had their way with the Cards in early June.  Colorado whipped the Birds by an average score of 8-2 during a 4-game sweep at Busch.


That was then.  The Cards now are a completely different team than the one the Rockies faced in the Lou.  Last time Colorado squared off against the Birds, the Cards were playing with guys like Chris Duncan, Tyler Greene, and Brian Barden.  When the Cardinals take the field in Colorado, they will show up with Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, and John Smoltz.


This is an excellent opportunity for the Cards to send a message to a team the Birds could face in October.  The Cards have Carpenter and Wainwright scheduled to pitch the first two games of the series.  If the Cardinals can take advantage of the pitching matchups, and win at least two games in the series, the Birds could but some fear and doubt into the minds of the Rockies.  In the playoffs, any edge you can get is important.

Extra Innings:

- I thought Tim McKernan’s article on Thursday regarding Tony LaRussa and Jim Edmonds was excellent.  As a big fan of both gentlemen, I was happy to see that they finally buried the hatchet.

- It will be interesting to see Matt Holliday back at Coors Field this weekend…in a better looking uniform.

- This is actually a pretty big series for Colorado.  They have a 4-game lead in the Wild Card, but their remaining schedule is much tougher than San Francisco’s.  The Rockies face the Cardinals, Brewers, and Dodgers; the Giants face the Cubs, Diamondbacks, and Padres.  

Pete Eichholz plays sportswriter in Thursday nights; you can read him here on Fridays.

slippery11pete@yahoo.com