Game #25

CARDINALS 6, REDS 0

The Cardinals completed a booming 6-1 homestand with a shutout of the Cincinnati Reds today. Chris Carpenter's ERA keeps getting lower and lower as he wiped out the Reds today in a masterful seven-inning performance. Carpenter only allowed two hits and three walks while striking out eight.

It's too bad Carp will have to miss the four game series against the Phillies that starts tomorrow. But even then, the Cardinals' rotation is so good, it really doesn't matter. A series split should be the expectation, with or without Carpenter going against the "almighty" Phillies. For most teams, the top one or two starters must go in series like this one, where the top teams in the league square off. The Cardinals will face the Phillies' top two; Cole Hamels will pitch on Tuesday against Adam Wainwright, and ace Roy Halladay will pitch Thursday afternoon against Kyle Lohse. Halladay vs Lohse is a clear adavantage to the Phils, but I don't see any reason to believe Hamels vs Wainwright shouldn't favor the Cardinals. Hamels had one dominant season, and now I'm not so convinced that he's really that good. He's got good stuff, yes; I'm not going to underestimate Hamels. But if he was in the Cardinals' rotation, Hamels may be the number 4, maybe even number 5 starter.

The Phillies lineup is clearly better than the Cardinals' lineup. I would be stupid to deny that. But I'm no longer going to view the Phillies as an unstoppable force in the National League, and all teams must shudder in fear at them.

Maybe I'm crazy. I'm just quite convinced by this Cardinals' team. They're looking strong enough now that not even the Phillies scare me against St. Louis. Hey, it's confidence. That's all.

Boxscore courtesy of mlb.com.