St. Louis Cardinals News – Penny for your Thoughts

Har har. I’m such a jokester with the title.

Some Cardinals odds and ends from the last few days.

Brad Penny looks good

This signing was almost an afterthought in the offseason, due to the pressing demand to sign Holliday. But when the Cardinals picked up Penny early in the Hot Stove League, I thought he was a solid choice to replace Pineiro as the number three starter.

So far in two starts, Penny’s 1-0 with an ERA that’s smaller than my…ego. He’s shown terrific control, walking only two batters in 14 innings while still managing to throw low-to-mid 90’s. He looked in complete control last night, needing just 89 pitches to get through seven innings, allowing just one unearned run and three hits. He walked none and struck out four.

Unfortunately, he somehow took the mantle of the pitcher the Cardinals just don’t want to hit for, as the Cardinals have scored a total of three runs in his two starts. In the offseason, Penny toyed around with various fastballs and ways to look more like Walter Sobchak.

Now entering a world of pain: the Houston Astros.

Hopefully Penny can keep it up all year. Be weary, however, of what happens this off-season. If I recall, a couple years ago we brought in a free agent pitcher who managed to have a career year and parlay that into a 4-year, $40+ million contract.

Who would that be? Cardinals resident boy-band member Kyle Lohse.

He doesn't care who you are, or where you're from, or what you did...

B.A. gets the call

No, not bad ass.

With Jason LaRue going on the disabled list with what was only vaguely described as a partially strained mustache, Bryan Anderson was called up from AAA Memphis.

Anderson’s long been considered the top catching prospect in the farm system, but his defense has been suspect. Apparently he’s made pretty big strides, however, with alliteration master Mike Matheny working with him in the minors. The next game he plays in will be his major league debut. No word on the progress of his mustache growing, however.

Pujols: monster

15 RBI in eight games. Albert eats danger and craps victory.

Today’s game is at 12:40. Bud Norris takes on Kyle Lohse as the Cardinals go for the sweep. Look for all the Cardinals to don 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson today, in honor of the anniversary of him breaking the color barrier in baseball.

On a personal note, looks like I’ll be crossing another stadium off my list of stadiums to cross off a list.

So far I’ve been lucky enough to visit: Coors Field, Kauffman Stadium, old and new Busch (obviously), Wrigley Field, old Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Shea Stadium. I think this fall I’ll be traveling with my lovely friend Erin to Wisconsin, where she hails from, and see Miller Park. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and I look forward to a nice little roadtrip, drinking craptastic Miller products, and eating all her parents’ food. I will also be at Kauffman Stadium June 25-27 for the Cardinals-Royals series, as is an annual tradition with my buddy Cas. So if you’re gonna be at any of those stadiums, come see me and buy me a beer. I’m broke.