Cards vs. Brewers Gets Going Again: Our Banner’s Bigger!

The Brewers and Cardinals rivalry gets going again today. But you might’ve heard…there have been a few changes since Pujols took one high and in. Specifically, gone is Pujols himself as well as the man who admittedly ordered the retaliation against Ryan Braun, Tony La Russa. Prince Fielder followed the smart money and hooked up with TLR’s good buddy, Jim Leyland of the Tigers…and Chris Carpenter is sittin’ this one out with a freaky Friday nerve issue that refuses to go away (sort of like the Brewers). Of course, we all know that Ryan Braun isn’t available for a good stretch of 50 games due to a failed PED test…

Oh wait…I forgot…Braun played his “Get Out of Jail Free” card (*ahem*…SELIG!). Well, at least we know we won’t have to watch Bernie Brewer slide down that ridiculous slide in the outfield next year. Major League Baseball is re-aligning a bit and sending the Brewers – the team that joined the National League as recently as the 90’s – back to their roots in the American League…

What? Oh shoot…I forgot again…it’s the Astros and not the Brewers going to the American League. Huh. I wonder why an NL Central fixture like the ‘stros are being pushed into an AL division when Milwaukee would have been the obvious choice? (*ahem*…SELIG!) Ah well. Maybe the presence of Braun in the order will help Milwaukee fans overlook that god-awful Nyjer Morgan they got stuck with. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

Of course, it’s not all bad news. One noticeable difference between last year and this year…the Brewers are the reigning NL Central division champs. Awesome. Congratulations. Perhaps while the Cardinals are in Milwaukee they can take a picture in front of the Brewers’ banner. Kind of a, “Hi mom!” pose with a big sheepish grin. I’m already picturing Skip Schumaker’s shot.

And then, when the Brewers are in St. Louis, they can take a picture in front of our banner. It’s not hard to find. It’s the one that reads: “St. LOUIS CARDINALS – 2011 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS” Maybe David Freese will be a gracious host and pose with each player by standing on the opposite side of the banner. Although…I don’t know if that will work. They may not be able to get them both in the picture at the same time. It’s a pretty big banner.

burn.

All kidding aside…this series should be fun. The Brewers are still a legit contender even with the loss of Fielder. Their pitching alone will throw them into the playoff picture. But the Cardinals are no slouch either, adding the likes of Carlos Beltran to replace Pujols and regaining the right arm of Adam Wainwright. That’s not to say the Cardinals don’t have questions to answer. For one, new manager Mike Matheny has to figure out a way to protect Lance Berkman in the order without sacrificing pop in the two hole. Maybe David Freese will command a bit more respect in the Brewer’s Miller Park than he did in Miami. After all…he did hit .545/.600/1.091 with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs against them in the NLCS (wow).

Okay, okay…let’s wrap it up. I kinda’ feel bad that the Brew Crew had to be reminded of their NLCS loss on their Opening Day…but that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna’ slaughter ’em.

It’s an early game, so grab some lunch, take the afternoon off (HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!), and watch the Cards and Brewers in Milwaukee.

GO CARDS!!!