GDT - (W) Reds (Harang) @ Cardinals (Looper), 4.30.08, 12:15 PM

[Jeffro]

No preview up yet. Putting my 2-0 record on the line with a matinée day lineup.

[Jack Adams]

No preview up yet. Putting my 2-0 record on the line with a matinée day lineup.

Cards are due to win this one.

The three times they have played day games during work has resulted in a rain out of a 4-run lead, and two losses.

[kah]

Not a favorable pitching matchup.

[ElviswasaBluesFan]

damn, it's going to be a beautiful day. Wish I was going to the game

[cardinalgirl]

damn, it's going to be a beautiful day. Wish I was going to the game

no kidding. it's an awesome day to go to the ballpark.

[Schwahalala]

Cards 9 - Reds 1

[Jeffro]

Cards aiming for franchise record
04/30/2008 1:45 AM ETBy Matthew Leach / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Despite significant turnover and new faces at plenty of positions, the 2008 Cardinals already have a chance to set a franchise record. With a win on Wednesday, St. Louis will win its 18th game in April. Two previous Cardinals clubs tallied 17 April wins: the 2000 and '06 editions. The '07 Cardinals went 10-14 in April and spent most of the summer below .500.
"Every season is different," manager Tony La Russa said. "You've got to play for six months. But you definitely do not want to come off like we did the first week, 10 days, two weeks of ['07]. We couldn't score a run. This year, we're [six games over .500] playing the last game of the month, and the club has earned every bit of that.
"Only five more months after that."
It is, of course, worth noting that no Cardinals team has played 29 games in April before. So this is not, on a percentage basis, the best first month in franchise history no matter what happens on Wednesday.
But considering last season's start, and this season's roster, it's an impressive beginning just the same.
"I think there are a lot of guys in this clubhouse that are playing with some energy and maybe a little chip on their shoulder," said outfielder Skip Schumaker. "They're out to prove to people that they can play here. I think that might be a little different than the atmosphere was last year. I think guys are out to prove people wrong that don't believe in us."
Pitching matchup
STL: RHP Braden Looper (3-1, 4.05 ERA)
Looper is getting more ground balls this season, and that's what he needs to do. However, he's threatening to resume his up-and-down pattern of a year ago. He has pitched very well at times, such as in his most recent start against Houston. He's also struggled badly, as he did five days earlier against the Giants.
CIN: RHP Aaron Harang (1-3, 2.76 ERA)
Harang can't buy a win lately. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his six starts, and has one victory to show for it. He pitched 7 1/3 strong innings against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night, but left the game without run support. He's 5-6 lifetime against the Cardinals, but beat them twice last year.
Tidbits
Albert Pujols has reached base by hit or walk in 28 straight games -- every game this year. ... Rick Ankiel has four extra-base hits and three RBIs in the past two games. In the previous 12 games, he had two extra-base hits and one RBI. ... Cesar Izturis is 1-for-17 against Harang.
Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• FSN-HD
On radio
• KTRS 550
Up next
• Wednesday: Off-day
• Friday: Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 3-1, 2.79) vs. Cubs (Rich Hill, 1-0, 3.79), 7:15 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cardinals (Kyle Lohse, 3-0, 2.36) vs. Cubs (Ted Lilly, 1-4, 6.46), 2:45 p.m. CT

Day game before a day off. Ryan at SS?

[007]

1. RF Schumaker
2. 2B Miles
3. 1B Pujols
4. CF Ankiel
5. 3B Glaus
6. LF Duncan
7. C La Rue
8. P Looper
9. SS Ryan

[F the Cubs]

Up next
• Wednesday: Off-day
• Friday: Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 3-1, 2.79) vs. Cubs (Rich Hill, 1-0, 3.79), 7:15 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cardinals (Kyle Lohse, 3-0, 2.36) vs. Cubs (Ted Lilly, 1-4, 6.46), 2:45 p.m. CT

Hmmmmmmmm. I hope Wednesday is an off-day for Dusty and Co.

[ElviswasaBluesFan]

I really like Miles (or Kennedy) in the #2 spot

[Glovey]

Reds - 5
Cards - 2

[joe_w]

Not a favorable pitching matchup.

Don't doubt the Loop!

[bcruise]

Cesar Izturis is 1-for-17 against Harang

He actually got a hit off him?

[007]

A Farney reference!

[joe_w]

Ryan Freel gets a fastball in his eyes and scorches it up the middle for a lead-off single. Nearly beaned Looper.

And we're off.