Nobody's Playing Better Than The Pirates, But...

One of my favorite lines from Tony La Russa over his tenure here since 1996---each and every year which has featured a losing season by Pittsburgh---is that "nobody is playing better than the Pirates."

Of course, unfortunately for La Russa, it's tough to believe that when nobody's played more games in last place over the last 17 years than the Pirates.

But, here's reality: in the National League races, nobody is playing better than the Cardinals. After a couple of weeks of dealing with some legitimate top notch competition in the Phillies and Dodgers, the Cardinals get to feast on the Pirates, Reds, and Padres.

This is a prime opportunity to expand the two game lead over the Cubs, as Chicago have seven with the Phillies and Dodgers over their next 13.

Looking at the schedule and the clubs involved in the race, I really feel like it's possible for the Cardinals to not only win the NL Central by a comfortable margin...but also compete for the best record in the National League.

Rolen Returns

Even though he'll be back in St. Louis for the first time since getting traded to Toronto in January 2008, early morning reports out of Cincinnati indicate Scott Rolen won't get a chance to play this week against the Cardinals. The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting Rolen will rejoin the team here, but because of concussion-like symptoms he's still suffering from after being hit by another former Cardinal, Jason Marquis, Rolen won't play until at least Thursday...when the Reds are out of St. Louis. 

And, that means Rolen won't get to hear what should've been a monster ovation had he gotten a chance to take an at-bat in front of the Busch Stadium crowd for the first time since September 2007.

Sure, his relationship with La Russa led to his departure, but he was a phenomenal player when here and healthy. Furthermore, Rolen was a key part of great teams in 2002, 2004, 2005, and the World Championship club in 2006.

Surprisingly, when the trade from Toronto to Cincininati was announced a couple of weeks ago, some Cardinal fans online were discussing whether or not Rolen should get applauded. I really don't get that. And, while I know Jim Edmonds came back to St. Louis as a Cub---not some random like a Red---I'll never get why La Russa started shit last July ruining the second-best Cardinal of the decade's homecoming. Based on La Russa's comments in this morning's Post-Dispatch, it looks like he was taking the high road on Rolen. Even though he won't be playing, I'm sure Rolen will be doing some talking to reporters this afternoon at Busch. Let's see if he takes the high road, too. 

Oh, No

The Rams are already thinner at wide receiver than my hairline in 2006.

And, now comes word that Donnie Avery---the guy who the Rams picked over DeSean Jackson in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft because of fears over Jackson's durability---is hurt once again...and will miss 4 to 6 weeks because of a foot injury.

I wonder if the Rams would consider going the route of Plaxico Burress...or, from a character standpoint...Marvin Harrison. The former Colt is still out there and available.

Either way, the Rams were already a mess at WR, and now the guy who's gone from being a random selection out of Houston 14 months ago to being number one on the depth chart is hurt again. Now, if---if, if, if---he comes back healthy, Avery can still be a big contributor. But, doesn't it seem logical to bring in some backup at this point?

insideSTL.com Summerfest Just Five Days Away

We're just five days away from the insideSTL.com Summerfest at Bar 101. Everything gets underway at noon Saturday with a sand volleyball tournament. If you're interested in putting together a volleyball team, CLICK HERE. You can reserve your spot without a deposit just by clicking and registering.

For those of you interested in playing, it's $30 per person, and that includes all your Schlafly beer all day long.

The festivities will also include beer pong, washers, a chicken wing-eating contest for the guys, a watermelon-eating contest for the girls, a bikini contest judged by Cam Janssen and adult film star Bree Olson, and the day is capped off with some bikini volleyball featuring some vixens from the Soulard establishments.

If you don't want to play volleyball, you still can come and enjoy the creepfest with the purchase of a $20 all-you-can-drink-all-day-long bracelet that will get you Schlafly products from noon to 7 p.m. Plus, there are cheap drink and food specials throughout the day.

All week long on The ITD Morning After, we'll be giving away two bracelets each day for all-you-can drink as the prize for The Ticket Guys' Email of The Day.

It should be a damn good time.

So, make plans to head on down to Bar 101 Saturday for the insideSTL.com Summerfest.

 Log-in to post your comments, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.