Support system helps the Cardinals
ST. LOUIS -- The signs of encouragement were everywhere yesterday, on a summer-like afternoon softened by blue skies and sunshine. "Go Cards" messages were hung from buildings large and small, including banks and other businesses. The disappointments of the weekend in Boston were fading fast for St. Louis and the Cardinals.
During the course of a regular season in which they recorded a major league-best 105 victories, the Cardinals didn't need extra help. During a postseason that led to the franchise's first World Series appearance since 1987, they didn't need it.
But yesterday, less than 24 hours after the completion of a lost weekend, with the rain, mist, and fog dousing whatever spirit they had following losses in Games 1 and 2, the Cardinals yesterday embraced everything within reach.
They were home, preparing to play under National League rules (i.e. no designated hitter) and hoping to snap a two-game losing streak.
Manager Tony La Russa, trying to explain how a team that led the majors in road wins (52) suddenly could be dealing with whispers of a sweep, said, "We like playing on the road. We love playing at home."
Why shouldn't they? La Russa's team is 6-0 at Busch Stadium in this postseason.
La Russa is looking forward to playing under the NL rules. He likes the fact that tonight's Red Sox starter, Pedro Martinez, will have to bat. He likes that designated hitter David Ortiz will have to play first base.
"It changes their club," said La Russa. "They're going to lose one good hitter."
The Cardinals already have dealt with a crisis this postseason. They trailed the Astros, three games to two, before coming back to Busch Stadium and promptly winning Games 6 and 7 to punch their ticket to the Series.
Not falling into the dreaded (at least until this season) 0-3 hole makes tonight's game almost as important on the crisis meter.
"We're back home, things will come around with our pitching," said Cardinals reliever Ray King. "And we'll get the crowd behind us."
The crowd will be a factor, at least in providing a comfort zone for the Cardinals.
"They'll be loud and they'll put on a show," said La Russa. "There is no doubt being excited gives you an edge."
Cardinals fans are hoping that their team is the one to put on a show. King, who pitched in both games at Fenway ( 2/3 of an inning, 1 hit, 1 strikeout) said the attitude in the clubhouse is one of quiet confidence.
"We've got a team that never gives up," he said before yesterday's voluntary workout. "We're only down two games. Confidence has never been a problem on this team. The way I look at it, you've got 28 teams who are done for the season; only two are left. They need two wins, we need four."
La Russa said he saw no major flaws in his team at Fenway.
"We've got guys competing the way they are supposed to compete," said La Russa. "[The Red Sox] have just made better pitches more often than we have."
The Red Sox are hitting, too, which is a prime reason the Cardinals find themselves in the hole. No one doubts that things can change quickly.
"There are always highs and lows," said Jeff Suppan, the two-time Red Sox pitcher who will oppose Martinez tonight. "It's a best-of-seven series. We've got to go out and get them [tonight]."
Thus far, the Cardinals have not done that. They haven't come close to playing the way they did last week against Houston. Their starting pitching has been spotty, the heart of their lineup -- Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Jim Edmonds -- came up with only one RBI at Fenway.
Whether that changes in St. Louis remains to be seen. Those who believe in omens might check the forecast for the next three nights. After yesterday's sun and 70-degree weather, temperatures are expected to dip and showers are possible all three nights.
In October, that sounds like Red Sox weather.
