I still hate Lopez, but now I hate him slightly less than Izturis.

See, I told you FLo was bound for superstardom once more.

Now that was weird.

Superstar, I says!

Jesus - I feel bad for the Crew there.

Superstar, I says!

I was SO ready to post mocking you after he got picked off, too.

that makes sense. how does fit into the 'luck' theme.

"Rookie closer."

I like that.

The Brewers have already achieved the main objective - keep the Cards from gaining ground on them in their last meeting of the year - but this would be a crappy way to lose it.

No ego here. When I read a real argument I acknowledge it.

Never an issue with greenback. Or cardfanboy. Or Guts to my knowledge.

I refrain from personalizing the discussions.

And let it be noted I pointed out the likely outcome in advance.

Brew woke someone up and then rolled over.....

NTN:

Well, the Pirates had a kajillion chances on Sunday and fluffed. The Cards did not......

If Dave Duncan smiled, his face would crack.

That was a pretty nice pitch...

That was a pretty bad pitch Braun whiffed at for strike three. Hanging... slider?

Totally missed his location and still K-ed Braun.

Wow, nasty. I like Perez. He should have had this role since June...

This ump likes his corners.

Have to settle for the split.

Boom.

Well, this series could have gone better, but it could have gone worse. I'll take it. Albert's forthcoming MVP is looking like a nice consolation prize at this point.

Thank you, Rookie Closer.

This anyone but Pujols as MVP is beyond silly.

Pujols said the MVP should come from a playoff team (when Howard won), so if the Cards don't make the playoffs, I'm sure he'll refuse the award.

Pujols said the MVP should come from a playoff team (when Howard won), so if the Cards don't make the playoffs, I'm sure he'll refuse the award.

It's amazing what a difference two years makes.

Wow...after reading Portia Stanke's comments in this chatter, I feel dirty about having rooted for the Cardinals this series.

Carpenter, Wainwright, Mulder injuries = bad luck.

But:

Schumaker's, Ludwick's, Lohse's, Wellemeyer's, Franklin's, and McClellan's seasons = good luck.

I can't see it any other way.

Oh, and let's not forget the 3-9 vs. the Brewers and Cubs the last two months. 2-7 at home. That's not bad luck.

I'd like to repeat the argument that Harvey and now BJ have rejected: bullpen performance in C&L;situations relative to overall bullpen performance is a matter of luck, not talent. Historically awful C&L;bullpen performance has sunk the Cardinals this year, thus my statement that bad luck has essentially defined the club's season. That's the argument--simple and obvious.

You can deny this simple statistical reality all you like. The benefit of relying on facts, however, is that they are not open to negotiation.

No, not even to Wallbangers and lovers of BJs.