Heart of order had no pulse

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals' trio of MVP candidates -- affectionately called MV3 -- is the heart, if not the soul, of the team's batting order. Officially, first baseman Albert Pujols, third baseman Scott Rolen, and center fielder Jim Edmonds combined to produce 122 home runs and 358 RBIs during the regular season. Unofficially they may go down as the three stooges in a lineup that came up empty time after time in the World Series.

As the Cardinals ended their season with a whimper, dropping a 3-0 decision and completing a four-game sweep to the Red Sox, it was another example of MV3 futility: 1 for 12, the one hit a harmless single by Pujols leading off the bottom of the ninth. For the series, the trio of sluggers were 6 for 45 (.133) with only one RBI. MV3 produced only one hit in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Not good. That lack of production was a key reason why the Cardinals were swept out of the Series without even leading for a single inning.

"Well, I think the potential to get shut down is always there when you face quality pitching," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. "That's why the most consistent way to win is [with] pitching and defense." The problem for the Cardinals was that they were offensive on offense. Edmonds was hitless in the Series following a bunt single in Game 1. Rolen went 0 for 15, with only a sacrifice fly from the cleanup spot. Pujols managed five hits, but drove in no runs after posting 123 RBIs during the regular season.

Defeatist attitude
The Cardinals became the fourth team in World Series history to be swept without having the lead in any game. The Red Sox joined the 1989 Oakland A's, the 1966 Baltimore Orioles, and the 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers in accomplishing the feat . . . Cardinals starters allowed 19 first-inning runs in the postseason, including Johnny Damon's leadoff homer last night.