The Second Half

by LS Murphy

Now that the lazy first half of baseball is over, it's time for the real games to begin. Let's face it, baseball before the All-Star break is just a precursor to the second half of the season. It's still a lot of fun but the real challenges lie ahead.

So what will happen for the beloved St. Louis Cardinals?

Amazing things.

First, Brendan Ryan will come back fighting. His bat will come to life and we can expect him to have some fun again. The Boog's first half performance was mental. We all know that. Taking a step back, he'll remember why he's wearing the birds on the bat.

David Freese will return to the lineup. He'll make us say Scott who?

Skip will make us forget he ever played in the outfield. And he'll play with his batting gloves more at the plate.

Luddy, Colby, and Matt will protect Albert. Holliday's bat will blaze. Colby will throw better and Luddy's leg will heal.

Albert will be Albert. We can't ask for more.

Carpenter and Wainwright will remind everyone why they are the best 1-2 punch in the National League while providing Jaime Garcia valuable tutelage. Jeff Suppan will remind us why he won the 2006 NLCS MVP award.

More importantly, we will watch the Redbirds soar into the post-season then roar through the competition on their way to another World Series victory. The road will be tough. The Reds won't back down. The NL West will do whatever they can to torture the Cards. The Braves will do whatever they can to send Bobby Cox off to retirement with one last win. But the Cardinals will prevail.

I can't wait to watch it.

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