The Cardinals came into Atlanta hoping not to lose their fifth straight 3-game series. The Braves won the first game 6-3, while the Cards turned the table in game two and defeated the Atlanta 6-3. On Wednesday night, the Cardinals got the table turned over on top of them, being defeated 14-4. To top that off, Albert Pujols went 0 for 4. The Cardinals looked pretty bad last night, especially after a routine single into right field that went right between outfielder Juan Encarnacion’s legs. Encarnacion proceded to jog backwards to retrieve the ball, much to the Cardinals’ fans dismay. A lack of hustle can be called a reason for some of St. Louis’ losses lately, but the true problem is simple. The pitching staff stinks.
That’s why the Cardinals made their first acquisition of the season on Wednesday, trading minor league outfielder Terry Evans for Anaheim Angel’s starting pitcher Jeff Weaver. The pick-up should be a good one for the Cardinals, who have had major pitching problems lately. Simply put, this team can’t pitch their way out of a wet paper bag, barring Chris Carpenter and Anthony Reyes. Jason Marquis is inconsistent, but Jeff Suppan and Sidney Ponson have been terrible lately. Then again, Ponson did have a good outing against Detroit earlier this month. All that said, hopefully Weaver will be a major addition for Pujols and Co.
Written by APC Staff Writer Brady Holzhauer