Special points of interest:
Key Fantasy Player: Albert Pujols
Three Keys to Victory:
*Starting Rotation Health
*Top of the order Table Setters
*Albert Pujols
The X-Factor: Kyle Lohse
Over Rated: Yadier Molina
Seasons End: First Place Finish NL Central
Winners of the 2010 National League Pennant
1. Skip Schumaker 2B
2. Brendan Ryan SS
3. Albert Pujols 1B
4. Matt Holliday LF
5. Yadier Molina C
6. Ryan Ludwick RF
7. David Freese 3B
8. Colby Rasmus CF
SP) Chris Carpenter RH
SP) Adam Wainwright RH
SP) Kyle Lohse RH
SP) Brad PennyRH
SP) Rich Hill LH
RP) Trever Miller LH
RP) Ryan Franklin RH
Matt Holliday
On Thursday October 8th 2009, the St Louis Cardinals were three little outs away from tying their Division Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at one game a piece. The Cards were up 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning. A pop up retired Andre Ethier. Manager Tony Larussa brought in closer Ryan Franklin. A fly ball to center retired Manny Ramirez. With one out to go, Left Fielder Matt Holliday dropped the third out on a fly ball by James Loney. After the error, three consecutive batters reached base before Mark Loretta hit a game winning single to center. 48 hours later, the Cardinals 2010 season was over. The error in left cost them everything.
Holliday and the rest of the St Louis Cardinals are eager for redemption. And this team is certainly good enough to attain it this October.
Big Mac Hitting Coach
On Monday, January 11, 2010 at approximately 3:00pm, Mark Mcgwire, (former Cardinal first baseman and current hitting coach) officially and formally came out of the closet. No, not that closet! He became just the latest former slugger of the steroid era to openly admit to using drugs. Now as I have said it a million times. I am done writing on the topic of roids. However I will say that I am thrilled to see Big Mac in the Cardinals dugout as a coach. Mcgwire himself has said, he has a rolodex of information he is just dieing to pass on to hitters. He will get his chance this season. I for one am excited to see his influence on the 2010 Cardinals.
2010 Cardinals
I am officially on the St Louis Cardinals band wagon! I am a firm believer that with two dominate starters, the best 3/4 batting order in the National League, and a very solid closer, the Cardinals will easily win out the National League Central. They do need a little help from the starting rotation after Wainwright and Carpenter. And offensive production beyond Pujols and Holliday is a must too. However the 2010 Cardinals are still my pick to win the National League Pennant.
