Cards Still Not Out; Waiting For Brew Crew to Implode
I’m really growing to hate the Cards/Cubs series. The games are usually pretty close and lately the Redbirds seem to be barely coming out on the wrong end of the good score. Honestly, I’m not sure this series was all that important as far as the division race goes. St. Louis is pretty much in a position where they have to rely on a wild card birth if they are going to see post season.
That’s all fine and dandy, except he Brewers have decided they are only going to lose once a week or so. It’s weird. I’ve always disliked the Cubs, more because of the rivalry than anything else. Under Piniella though, they are a little easier to take for some reason. The Brewers though, are quickly becoming a team I love to despise.
Fighting in the dugout, showing off, acting cocky before they’ve really even done anything. The Milwaukee team is beginning to look like the WWF. I may be forced to give them credit somewhere down the line, but for now, I think the best plan for the Cards is to win as many games as possible and wait for the Brew Crew to implode. It happened last year and it wouldn’t surprise me if it happened again.
As far as St. Louis goes, I’m still not as down on them as I probably should be. The starting pitching appears to be coming around. Looper, Wellemeyer, and Pinero seem to be coming into their own again. Lohse remains pretty solid. It was excruciating to see Carpenter leave the game with a tricep injury on Sunday night, but it looks as if we might catch a break and he’ll only miss a start or two. That’s a start or two too many right now, but it’s better than the alternative.
Adam Wainwright is still probably in limbo. Initially, he was rehabbing to come back as a reliever, but with Carp in flux, that plan may have to be scrapped. That might be for the best. Management has finally succumbed and allowed McClellan and Perez to close some ballgames. I know they’re young and the may have problems, but Franklin and Isringhausen are old and have far more problems. It’s a pretty easy call to make.
Offensively, it’s the same old story every damned week. We simply cannot score more than two or three runs in many games. It will help getting Ankiel back, but I’m not sure it’s a big enough push. Glaus is hot or cold and nowhere in between. Joe Mather shows signs of putting something together. Schumaker and Ludwig are just fine with me.
Adam Kennedy is another story altogether. I know, you signed him to a three year contract, but holy freaking crap, cut your losses and DFA the jackass already. He is the biggest suck to ever suck a suck off a suck. He gives away at bats routinely in pressure situation and on defense he’s like Michael Jackson: you know, he wears a glove on one hand for no apparent reason. (In all fairness, his defense isn’t that bad, but I really like that joke.)
Overall, the Cards could maybe win 90 games and still not make the playoffs. It’s going to be a tough road. The season is getting pretty short now and they simply can’t afford to give away any games. Still, I can’t count them out because they always seem to somehow surprise…for better or worse.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.