Wednesday's Games:
Standings:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 |
Streak |
|
| Cardinals | 12 | 7 | - | 6-4 | W1 |
| Reds | 9 | 9 | 2.5 | 6-4 | W3 |
| Brewers | 9 | 10 | 3.0 | 5-5 | L1 |
| Pirates | 8 | 10 | 3.5 | 6-4 | W1 |
| Astros | 7 | 12 | 5.0 | 3-7 | W1 |
| Cubs | 6 | 13 | 6.0 | 3-7 | L1 |
News and Notes:
Astros:
- Catcher Jason Castro was out of the line-up again Wednesday. He hasn't played since Monday's collision at home plate with Mat Gamel.
- In other injury news starter Kyle Weiland will not make his scheduled start Friday against the Reds. His sore right shoulder will have him see a team doctor in Houston today. Wandy Rodriguez will start in place of Weiland in the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.
- It's amazing how different people's lives become. The only 40s I'm looking forward to are not 40-man rosters, unlike these five Astros farmhands.
Cardinals:
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post touched on the Cardinals with a few notes.
- New manager Mike Matheny is learning that managing isn't quite so easy after all after his Cardinals have hit a bit of a skid following their hot start.
- Sure... blame the umpires. Is that a part of playing the game the right way? Mental toughness, however, certainly is.
- I don't know if it's just me but I just can't get enough of a good ol' Q and A. Here's one with Post-Dispatch baseball writer Joe Strauss.
- It's been quite the start to the season for rookie Lance Lynn.
Cubs:
- The new CBA may have an impact on the Cubs' handling of Matt Garza.
- Manager Dale Sveum is sticking by struggling closer Carlos Marmol. Marmol isn't making any excuses for his poor start.
- Kerry Wood is making progress but there is no definite timetable for his return to action from his stint on the 15-disabled list.
- Even when they attempt to update Wrigley Field things don't ever seem to work out for the Cubs.
Pirates:
- At least the Cubs have money and a huge media market to make up for their follies and shortcomings. The Pirates on the other hand... even when they're good, they're not good enough.
- Right-hander Jared Hughes is the lucky number 26.
- A.J. Burnett is making an impact on and off the field for the Pirates.
Reds:
- Injury updates: Reliever Nick Masset had an MRI on his right shoulder yesterday. Miguel Cairo has begun running and taking batting practice and is eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday.
- Rookie Shortstop Zack Cozart has gotten off to a decent start to his MLB career. He was, however, left out of yesterday's line-up against soft tossing lefty Barry Zito.
- Even in a 9-2 victory the Reds managed to stir up a bit of controversy.
On Tap:
The Brewers have an off day today before heading to St. Louis for a series against the Cardinals.
The Astros are also off today. They will begin a series against the Reds in Cincinnati tomorrow.
The Cardinals are off today. Their series against the Brewers will begin tomorrow night.
Continuing the trend the Cubs also do not have a game today. They will begin a series in Philadelphia tomorrow.
The only team in the division who is in action today is the Cincinnati Reds. They wrap up their series against the Giants with a game at Great American Ballpark this afternoon at 11:35 a.m. CDT. Homer Bailey (1-2) and Ryan Vogelsong (1-0) are the scheduled starters.