Contemplative after taking a dump all over the mound: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

When you saw this game on the schedule, it was preordained that we would be subjected to the images of last year’s playoff series featuring these two teams.  We would see Cliff Lee’s 4-0 lead evaporate.  We would see David Freese smash the crap out of Roy Oswalt.  We would see Ryan Howard crumpled in a heap as the Cardinals celebrate.  Worse of all, we would see the ever insufferable Tony LaRussa cackling with delight as he over managed his way to the world series.  These images will indelibly mar my subconscious for eternity.  God I hate Tony LaRussa.

This game looked pretty much nothing like the last time we saw the Cardinals.  Last time, the score was 1-0 with scant base runners in a marvelously pitched game on both sides.  This time, the score was 10-9 with neither pitcher making it out of the fifth inning.  This game took over three and a half hours and featured 41 base runners with a ridiculously tight strike zone making it seem like it lasted even longer.

Joe Blanton and Jake Westbrook were absolutely terrible.   (more…)