I am, admittedly a huge Cardinals fan. Have been since the days of Gibson and Brock. Had an article published in a best selling book about the Cardinals. But, as my clients know fan emotion is not a trap I ever, ever let myself walk into. I faded the Cards Saturday and cashed with ease and I am absolutely willing to go back to the well with the Cubs here Sunday. The Cards are in a tail spin having now dropped eight of the last ten games and are sinking in the NL Central standings. The Cubs on the flip side sit perched atop the division along with the Brewers and appear to have the lets to go the distance in the race. I cannot tell you just how huge the injury to Jack Flaherty was to the Cardinals. He was without any question the ace of the staff and their stopper. The exact guy needed to step up and keep extended losing streaks from getting out of hand. Ever since he went down that night in Los Angeles this Cards team has looked lost. Now they once again hand the ball to one of the biggest head cases on any current major league roster. Carlos Martinez, plenty of talent, plenty of arm, severely lacking between the ears and with the self confidence to boot. Word is hear is he is not exactly committed to excellence. I won't call him lazy but lets just say I don't think from what I hear he loses much sleep after a bad outing. I just cannot justify trusting my, or your, dough on the Cards right now in this skid and particularly with Martinez taking the ball. The guy has now given up a sick fifteen runs over his last two starts spanning just a shade over four innings. Yikes. Is he really that bad? Well of course not. But he certainly is a pretty leaky vessel to take into deep waters if you get my drift. I say the Cubs, who would love nothing more than to sweep their hated rival, get the broom out Sunday and rub some more salt in the Cardinals wounds. I am going Triple here on the Cubs,
Many sincere thanks as always and best of luck to each of us. Enjoy the game and your Sunday.