St. Louis is in NL playoffs.

[jbane]

Smoltz shuts down Houston, cards in even with a loss. Go Dodgers!

[bluestateguy]

1. So Tony LaRussa can flush another playoff series down the toilet

One might call LaRussa Mr. Non-October

[Roy]

3. I resent that statement....

I am 61 and have been aand remain a diehard Cardinal fan for at least 50 of those years.

I sure wish I could say you are wrong, but alas if I did I would be lying.

I hate to see these guys go into the post season only to be embarassed. This team as in prior years have a good nucleus and deserve far better.

[Drum]

2. Get ready for the annual Clemens-is-retiring speeches...

Congrats to the Cards!

[Roy]

4. I just hope they don't trot out the giant rocking chair. LOL n/t

[Zomby Woof]

5. Go Dodgers!!!

I wish they had taken the NL West pennant, but they're in the post-season and that is all that matters. :D

I am not worried about the Cardinals. LaRussa knows how to blow the post-season. The 1989 A's are all he gets as a feather in his ball cap. Ever since, he, as my friend (and Cardinal fan) GOPisEvil points out, LaRussa gets wound up tightly in the playoffs, and the wheels come off.

The Dodgers did well against the Mets during the regular season, and if they do face the Cards, I recall LaRussa saying he was glad they got their games with the Dodgers out of the way early, because he knew they would improve.

I am Dodger Blue first, but will be happy with them or the Padres in the World Series, because, well, dammit, I am a southern Californian. :D

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. If we can get past the Mets

St. Louis should be comparatively easy — unless they catch some kind of momentum against San Diego and stop going backwards.

And I think we can beat the Mets, particulary since Little rested Lowe today and there's time to spot the other starters. Lowe's gonna start Wednedsay's game, then I think Penny on Thursday, then on Saturday it'll be Kuo, who looked real good against the Mets when he beat 'em three weeks ago. (They're only three games over .500 against left-handers.)

Also, Garciaparra sat today, and the next two days off will do him good. Martin also sat today, so, likewise.

I don't think Martinez being out will be that much of a factor, because that's only one game — two at the most.