"LET'S GO OUT TO EAT"

I pleaded with my wife last night. Why? Because the Cardinals were on tv. They were actually leading 2-1 when I made my suggestion.

"I'd have to clean up (after a day of beating me on the golf course) and we have some leftover spaghetti and bruschetta..."

"Ok, but they're killing me." The Cardinals, of course.

The food was great. The Cardinals weren't. Sometimes I think I care more than they do. And that's usually symtomatic of a team just going through the motions. That appears to be the Cardinals.

With superior talent the last three years and only one World Series appearance--a 4 game sweep to the Red Sox, the Cardinals seemingly know they are going nowhere in this year's playoffs. If they even make it. As they head into the last week of the season, it seems a cinch. But facing Oswalt tonight and Clemens tomorrow, don't bet on it.

And if you see that star catcher, Yadi (he of .211 batting average who swings at almost every first pitch, he who cannot hold his head or body still and pops up in his stance just before the ball travelling at 90 mph plus comes at him) go out to the mound to talk to his pitcher, then change channels. It's not pretty what's coming next.

And if you see our 3rd sacker drive in a meaningful run, please e-mail me because I don't want to miss it. At 6'4'' and 240 pounds, you'd think he wouldn't be so brittle. He can play the hot corner--I'll give him that, but talk about being overpaid.

You know, they say that writing is theraputic. I feel better after bashing two Cardinals. But then, again, I care. I just wish they did.