(P.S. You have a great, traditional gravatar. I really like it. For those interested in getting their own, I documented the instructions here.)

While this is a new year, be aware the Dodgers have won exactly one playoff round in the last 20 years and that barely counts since it was over the hapless Cubs a couple of years back. Not exactly a post-season dynasty. Under TLR, the Cards are 6-1 in first round series. Which team would you rather be?

bb, to reflect what the people truly believe, I sometimes like to look at those who actually go as far as laying down their money in support of their view. To me that means more than surveys. Cards are currently 17/10 leaders to win the NL while the Dodgers are third at 5/2 behind Philly at 2/1. Money talks.

As an aside, the Yanks are the betting line favorite to win the Series at 9/5. Cards are 4/1.

Now the Dodgers are really in trouble. They have lost 6 of 8 and have red hot Colorado coming into town. If they are swept, they could lose the division.

We will be able to sneak up and dump our bucket of disfunction on their heads on national tv. What would the ESPN east coast American League types make of a .205 utility infielder covered with cobwebs in the DH spot.

My feeling is that the wild card will again come into the post-season playing the best ball and is the team most to fear. At this point, I might prefer to see StL finish with the third-best division record and play LA instead of a hot Colorado club. The Cardinals have shown they can win in Dodger Stadium and with Carp and Wainwright being the projected starters there in games one and two, the Cards will put their best foot forward.

Waino went seven innings allowing two runs in his only Dodger Stadium start this season. Carp allowed two runs in eight innings in his 2009 start there. I would take those kinds of outings in the DS and hope the sputtering offense can scratch out three runs somehow against a shaky Dodgers rotation.

It shouldn’t be hard to see that there is a heavy profit motive in all thats happening. If Bill DeWitt can set him self up as the victim here, he may sell that. If all walk, I’ll still watch games. This team has a nice core group of pitchers. Thats really all this team has going anyway.

Why does Duncan whine to the press then?

Brian, from the account given, I would say Perez is ony a credible source if you trust his ability to interpret actions and analyze them using pop psycology.

bb, when the Duncan to Houston rumor came out, an excited friend from there emailed me a link to an article from a local writer asking my opinion. Here is what I replied:

“Duncan could do a great job from a managing perspective, but I believe he would not want the other parts of the job – kissing babies, dealing with media, etc. I don’t know him as well as many, but have talked to him a number of times over the years and have a feel for his personality. He is bluntly honest, which could get him into real trouble as the head man. His comments to the Houston writer seemed to make it clear managing is not on his mind. I would be surprised if he managed anywhere but I wouldn’t be surprised if he landed somewhere other than St. Louis as a pitching coach next year.

“Houston would do well to get a name-brand manager, but I believe the problems with the organization start at the top.”

These guys are consummate professionals. Dave Duncan doesn’t whine to the press to make himself feel better. Tony/Dave opened up an instability that threatens a different view of management activities. Its a Mexican standoff and has been for months. Tony is the only one that needs to maintain saleability. And he is. Any contact offer from the Cardinals or another team will reflect a very health position and salary for DD. Do you see that maintaining the threat or possibility of a split up is just being sure that your trigger man has that wild look in his eye. The one that says ” I might shoot first”………………..while Tony is just signing autographs.

I think a lot depends on these playoffs. Tony and Dave are acutely aware of their situation, and in many ways have been preparing for all eventualities. I really doubt that a WS win pushes them into retirement. The web thats strongest and hardest to see is really the most obvious. BD’s business plan is still in place. What we would like to see as change may be what I projected last year, Holiday being a good excuse to sign a player that can’t be resigned. I see change myself. Cardinal Village is still his target but he needs to be able to bring his piggy bank on shore to do that. Bad Barrack.