Chris Perez is starting to get ‘that look’ when he pitches. Tonight, he seemed really pissed off that Brandon Phillips got that hit to left, and he took it out on Javier Valentin and Edwin Encarnacion. The slider was working, the heater was working, the control seemed to be working. CP63 has got it going on right now, just at the right time.
Is it just me, or is the bullpen starting to take their performance up a notch?
The starting pitchers definitely have taken their performance to a higher level (probably mostly spurred on by trying to keep their spots, with guys returning from the DL – well, at least until today – heal quickly Chris Carpenter.
For those who haven’t been keeping tabs, Felipe Lopez is now hitting .357 since being signed off of waivers. I’m still not sold, and I’m not convinced he’s the savior – but he’s doing a lot of good things. He has two triples since coming into the fold.
Brad Thompson scuffled a bit tonight, but pitched admirably in a spot start role. He was victimized by both a bad throw and a weak defensive play at the plate tonight by Jason LaRue.
Kudos as well to Jaime Garcia – this kid is showing a lot of moxie in an ever-changing role with the Cardinals. I think I’m going to enjoy seeing him in a full-time rotation spot with the 2009 version of this club.
The damned Cubs appeared to be done in tonight by the Marlins. Carlos Zambrano got touched up pretty badly again, and the Fish were on their way. Then Daryle (don’t forget the ‘e’) Ward hit a pinch-hit three-run homer. This Cubs team reminds me of the ’06 Cards in the playoffs right now – everything going their way…
Ryan Ludwick appears to have adjusted nicely to a lineup shuffle – he has hit the ball really hard in the two spot the last couple of nights.
Albert Pujols continues his ‘power slump’ – Mang was only three for five tonight with two doubles. This guy is sick.
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