July 29, 2002

TEAM NEWS: 58-44 (1st place NL Central, 5 game lead)

The Cards have been red hot, winning eleven out of seventeen since the All-Star Break. The starting staff has been clicking, the bats are coming around a bit, and the bullpen continues to be fantastic. As the deadline approaches, they may be looking to add another arm for the rotation and another right-handed power hitter for the playoff push and beyond.

Rotation

Maybe Tony Larussa's going to start to learn? Matt Morris, who had been dominant his last three times out was rocked on Sunday by the offensively challenged Cubs. Morris walked four and allowed five hits in his four innings, throwing 85 pitches. Clearly, it's not an absolute answer, but Morris' stress had been limited for six starts, as he threw more than 96 pitches just once. However, in his previous start, Larussa opted to let Morris loose, leaving him in there for 122 pitches.

Next start: 8/2 @ ATL

Keep an eye on that pitch count. Morris has struggled in three game stints after Larussa leaves him in there until his arm's about to fall off. Benching him in Atlanta might actually be an option.

Newly acquired Chuck Finley has looked solid since joining the Cards, allowing six earned runs in his two starts and coming through with wins in each of them. Finley could certainly thrive in St. Louis until National League hitters have seen him once or twice. Pitching coach Dave Duncan has revived a career or two (see Darryl Kile, Woody Williams), so keep an eye on Finley. He could be a stud in the final two months of the season.

Next start: 8/1 @ FLA

Finley has been unspectacular, but should be good for 6-8 wins in his short stint with the Cardinals. He's getting better defense behind him than he was in Cleveland, as well as more support. Combine that with the fact that he has one last shot at that elusive World Series ring and this deal should rejuvenate him.

Jason Simontacchi seems to have found a team he dislikes. The Cubs beat up on him for the second time in as many tries, this time lighting him up for seven runs (six earned) in four innings. Regardless, Simontacchi has shut down opposing hitters all season, and should get the call for a Fantasy Team against anyone, including the hapless Cubbies.

Next start: 7/31 @ FLA

Simontacchi remains a solid start. Rough outings happen, particularly with rookie pitchers, even if they are almost 30. If the problem persists, then it may be time to pursue other options.

Travis Smith continues to surprise, and has apparently won himself a spot in the rotation even after injured hurler Woody Williams returns. His stuff is far from overpowering, but he's a bit cagey and has a knack for pitching just deep enough to get a one or two run lead to the bullpen, which has been spectacular at holding the starters' leads.

Next start: 7/30 @ FLA

Avoid Smith, as his strikeout numbers are almost non-existent, his WHIP is a robust 1.58, and his ERA will never be that great. His wins are as much a credit to the bullpen as anything else, but he's done a fine job filling in.

Andy Benes will likely be skipped in the rotation with the off day on Monday. The overpaid veteran has actually come back and pitched admirably in his two starts, but hasn't lasted past the fifth inning in either of them. He used to be a solid starter, but he's expected to retire at season's end, as he just doesn't have the stuff anymore.

Next start: Up in the air.

Benes isn't worth a look unless the league counts a bonus for stats accumulated in the middle to late 1990s.

Bullpen

Closer Jason Isringhausen has been awesome since the break, sealing the deal on his last five save opportunities. His early season form seems to have returned, as he's struck out eight batters and walked none in his six innings of work. He's also been virtually unhittable, as opponents have mustered just three hits against him in that stretch.

Primary setup man and team workhorse Steve Kline hasn't looked so hot his last few times out. He's allowed four runs in his last four outings, lasting just 2.2 innings. Kline is a key to the bullpen's success, as about sixty percent of the games go through him at some point, but has been hampered a few times by injuries this season.

Dave Veres has looked pretty shaky lately himself, allowing at least one run in five consecutive outings, a span that ended with him giving up seven runs in two games. His ERA, which had been as low as 2.74 before the streak started on July 12, has risen to 4.01 over this stretch, and one starts to wonder if he'll fade down the stretch or has just hit a rough patch.

Mike Timlin has been the rock all year in the bullpen. He continues to look dominant on the hill, surrendering runs only when he allows a home run. His WHIP of 0.90 leads the team, as does his 2.51 ERA, so most of those dingers (9) that he's given up seem to be solo shots.

Infield

Edgar Renteria is scorching right now. Renteria has hit .409 in July with 2 homers, 7 doubles, 16 runs, and 13 RBI. His speed and power numbers still aren't where they should be, but his unfavorable spot in the order (usually 7th) isn't exactly helping him to capitalize on them. Ideally, Renteria will become the club's #2 hitter if one of the rumored deals ends up taking place.

Placido Polanco has cooled back down a bit after being one of the best average hitters in the league from mid-June through mid-July. He remains a demon with the glove, but his lack of power and speed have to be countered by him hitting for a fantastic average at the plate. Polanco raised his average to .285 while he was hot, and should maintain that the rest of the way, if not raise it a bit down the stretch.

Tino Martinez continues to inch his way closer and closer to respectability. Martinez raised his average above .250 for the first time since April 4 this weekend, and is hitting the ball a bit better for power as the weather heats up and the ball starts to carry. His glovework in the field remains fantastic, and his leadership in the clubhouse is as good as ever.

Scrappy leadoff man Fernando Vina seems to be fine after recovering from tendinitis in his elbow. The timing of the injury was awful, as he'd been riding a six-game hitting streak that seemed to be turning around an awful start to July. Expect him to start getting on base a bit more often if he's 100%, and that can only help his value, as it's primarily invested in Batting Average, Runs, and Stolen Bases.

Outfield

CF Jim Edmonds has been crushing the ball lately, blasting 3 homers in his last 7 games to go along with 10 RBI and 8 Runs. He's reached safely in nine of his last ten games, and has hit .400 (12-30) over that span. He's a good bet to keep this, or something close to it, up the rest of the way, as he's carried this team on his back in the past.

LF Albert Pujols is mired in a 2-18 slump in his last five games. It's doubtful that he'll come close to matching his .329 average from last year, but his power numbers are actually looking like they may rise. He's a steady option, particularly since he carries 3b eligibility for this year and next year, at the very least.

RF J.D. Drew remains limited, and will be the rest of the year as he seems to lean farther and farther towards offseason arthroscopic knee surgery. He's enjoyed sporadic success this season, but doesn't seem like he'll approach his expected numbers in any category. His .264 batting average is more of a concern than anything else, as Drew is a prototypical .300+ hitter.

Utility man Eli Marrero continues to see most of the playing time when Drew is out of the lineup. He's made the most of his opportunities for most of the season, but is slumping right now, with just two hits in his last six games.

Local Perspective/Rumorama

Chuck Finley wasn't the pitcher that everyone wanted around here, but the fans around St. Louis were very excited to get him anyway. Right now, it seems that the Cardinals fans would go ballistic if Donovan Osborne returned, as any arm that can chew up some solid innings in the rotation is a welcome addition. A lot of fans are gambling that Dave Duncan, who has worked miracles with some of the veteran re-treads that the Cardinals have brought in over the years, can awaken Finley from the slumber that he's been in for the past couple of seasons.

Local TV came to a halt Sunday afternoon as Ozzie Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Wizard still remains the Cardinals most identifiable player in recent history, ranking ahead of even slugger Mark McGwire, and is still well loved in the city of St. Louis, partially for the flair that he showed on the ball field, and partially for the respect that he earned as a member of the community. Congrats Ozzie!

The Cardinals are said to be major players in a deal that would bring Phillies 3b Scott Rolen to St. Louis. The word around town is that, if they were convinced that Rolen would re-sign with the club, they may send pitching prospects Bud Smith and Jimmy Journell, as well as current 3b Placido Polanco to the Phillies in exchange for Rolen. Some are excited about this deal, as Rolen would give them the righty power hitter that they so covet.

Others are skeptical, as there's no guarantee that Rolen would re-sign here, and Smith and Journell are the top two prospects in the entire organization. They'll be needed in the next couple of years, as three of their starters will be over the age of 35 next season.

Fantasy owners should worry about this one as well. While Rolen would move to a better team, his spot in the order would likely drop to sixth (Renteria moving up to second), leaving him with less RBI opportunities and less protection in the lineup. It would also be sure to eliminate current Cardinal slugger Albert Pujols recurring eligibility at 3b, as he won't be moving all over the diamond next season.

The Book On:

Sorry... There will be no "The Book On" segment this week, as time is not allowing it and I will be out of town until the weekend.

The Walking Wounded

J.D. Drew - Drew will be day to day the rest of the way with tendinitis in his knee.

Good luck guessing when he'll be in the lineup. His bat is potent enough so that he has to start on most fantasy squads.

Fernando Vina - Vina missed two straight games with tendinitis in his elbow, but returned to the lineup and went 2-5 on Sunday.

He seems fine, but keep an eye on this.

Woody Williams - Williams is eligible to return any day now, but no time table has been set.

The Cards need Williams back badly, as he's been their most consistent pitcher all year. Hopefully, they don't rush him back before he's ready, as they're not getting much of a push from the Reds or Astros right now.

Garrett Stephenson Stephenson has begun a rehab injury as he recovers from hamstring surgery.

Stephenson should pitch out of the bullpen if/when he returns to the majors. However, he'll more likely be re-inserted into the rotation. He may help the Cardinals to eat innings, but don't expect him to help many fantasy squads.

Quick View:

Add/Acquire

Edgar Renteria - He's not this good of an average hitter, but he's a clutch hitter who has yet to show his power so far this season. As he continues to get more confident at the plate, that should come along. Also, look for his steals to increase should he move up in the lineup if Rolen is dealt to the Cardinals.

Chuck Finley - Just a hunch. Duncan has been a master with veterans. Don't be fooled! He's not too great at helping young pitchers grow (see Rick Ankiel/Bud Smith), but he's fantastic for a 39-year-old re-tread like Finley.

Drop/Deal

Bud Smith - Bud's best chance to help a fantasy squad in 2002 would be if he's moved to Philadelphia, but he's even unlikely to crack their rotation this season at this point.

Placido Polanco - Some fantasy owners like that versatile average hitter... He'll likely still see plenty of time in Philadelphia if he's dealt there, but just how much could be a question mark.