Today, it’s a high-sock Sunday. My favorite baseball day of the week. I love the team unity and the idea of it; I love that it’s a throw-back kind of idea. Cards and Pirates are tied up for the series, heading into a very hungry fan-filled PNC Park. Today, I’m putting all my faith in this high-sock Sunday.
From what I hear, Friday’s game was not the best ever played in front of the Cardinal faithful at Busch. Unfortunately, I missed it. Fortunately, I missed the debacle that was a Pirates win. But today, today is high-sock Sunday. My favorite baseball day of the week. (No, not a typo, just repeating for emphasis.)
I’ve been thinking about this. Quite a bit more than I should, I’m sure, but I believe that if we all have the faith (that high-sock Sunday faith), then these guys can pull out a series victory while in Pittsburgh. What needs to happen? Let me do a little outline of what I, myself, believe needs to happen. (If this works, then I will tell you later what needs to happen tomorrow.):
1. Joe Kelly needs to continue to pitch the way that he has since All-Star break, but it needs to last a couple innings more than usual. He can rest on his off days. Or, when the season’s over. Here’s a tip: you can run on adrenaline alone, trust me.
2. Holliday needs to come out swinging. If you read my post the other day, you saw that I quoted my sweet brother-in-law in saying that he thought either Holliday or Beltran was going to hit a homerun. Well, Beltran did. Holliday, you going to let him outdo you? Surely not. Step up. I’m not saying you have to hit a homerun, but make it a solid day at the plate. From the stories I’ve heard, the ball comes off your bat at amazing Superman-like speeds. I’d like to see some of that. Please.
3. Carpenter needs to hit 1.000. Okay, not really 1.000, but if he could get on base more often than not, that would be a plus. The man scored 126 times during the regular season, which is phenomenal. If he can get on, good things can happen.
4. Yadi needs to rocket one to second when a foolish Pirate decides to try and steal. Why is this important? It’s not detrimental, I just want to see it.
5. Kozma needs to flashback to his performances in the 2012 NLDS against the Nationals. Break out Doc Brown, the Delorean, the flux capacitor, whatever, but he needs to get his confidence back and play how he knows how to play.
Just ideas, that’s all I got. Well, that and faith in high-sock Sundays.
Come on, boys, make it 2-1 in your favor!
Go Cards!
