[Ed. note – While the usual suspect around here is on vacation, we’ve drummed up some great guest posters to take the reins and keep our loyal readers (all three of you) entertained. Today’s guest post is from Sherwood Farnham. If you’re not already following Sherwood on Twitter @Mstrdstr12, you should be. Thanks Sherwood!]
I think it’s fair to say that the Redbirds had a successful April (except for another Carp injury of course) but as April comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead to May. The Cards may schedule actually looks quite favorable, the team gets 3 days off and there is a fairly even split with 13 games at home and 15 on the road. The Cards will also avoid many of the stronger teams in the league, and play a lot of teams they should beat.
• 4/30-5/3: The Cardinals open the Month on the road with 4 games against the Nationals, the worst team in baseball; this should be a sweep if the Cards keep the errors to a minimum.
• 5/4-5/7: Next the cards are at home for 2 against the Phillies followed by 2 against the Pirates. The Phillies are the champs and they can light up the scoreboard quickly. Waino vs. Hamels in game one should be good, Boggs spot in the rotation is due for game two…The Pirates are improved from past years and gave the Cards a bit of trouble earlier in the season, but the Cards are the better and it’s at Busch.
• 5/8-5/14: The Cards hit the road again for 3 against the Reds and 3 against the Pirates. The Reds have also improved from past years by improving their rotation, but their young starters need to be more consistent. The Cards have an intimidating lineup and just may light up The Great American Smallpark…The Pirates play much better at home than they do on the road.
• 5/15-5/24: The Cards come back home for 3 game series’ against the Brewers, Cubs, and Royals. This home stand won’t be easy but is should produce some great games. The Brewers don’t have Sheets or Sabbathia anymore, but they do have Gallardo and he is a stud. If the Cards can avoid Gallardo and go against Suppan and Looper this series will be a lot easier. The Brewers also have a lineup built around Braun and Fielder that can put up some runs…The Cubs come to town next and will likely be healthier than they were in April, this should be a tough but great series…The Royals come to Busch next to renew the I-70 series, and these are not the Royals many of us are used to. They have good pitching with Greinke and Meche in the rotation, and Cruz and Soria at the end of games, but the lineup isn’t very imposing. The Royals could surprise the Cards with all of the hype of the Cubs series before.
• 5/25-5/31: The Cards hit the road again for 3 against the Brewers and 3 against the Giants. The Brewers will be tougher in their own building, If either team is throwing the back end of their rotation that team could be in trouble…the Giants rotation is very good and AT&T ballpark is a pitchers park so runs may be tough to come by; the Giants lineup is pretty weak compared to the Cardinals though.
May Predictions:
Cards take advantage of a friendly schedule and go 18-10 in May…Carpenter “progressing nicely” hasn’t started rehab assignment yet…Boggs holds on to 5th rotation spot…Motte makes a case to take over as closer.
Sherwood Farnham can be found on Twitter @Mstrdstr12.
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