During this time of the season, I can always count on my blood pressure being just a wee bit higher than usual. These Cardinals, they’ve done it to me the last three seasons. For today’s game, I didn’t make it home from work until the 8th inning, thank goodness. I think if I had to watch the entire game, I would have done lost my mind.
Not that I was gamecasting the game at work, but if I was, I would have seen that Michael Wacha was pitching yet another gem. Rewind: on September 24, Wacha pitched a no-hitter for 9 and 2/3 innings. Forward to today, he pitched a no-hitter through 7 and 1/3. That’s in the playoffs, against a really tough team. Did you know that there has only been 2 no-hitters thrown in MLB playoff history? One in 1956 by Don Larsen of the Yankees, and the other by Roy Halladay of the Phillies in 2010. Hey, did you know that Wacha is a rookie? Yeah, the other two weren’t. I know, he didn’t get a full no-hitter, but there were some people who questioned Matheny’s decision to have him as the starter today. Although the one and only hit he gave up was a homerun to Alvarez, I support Matheny’s decision. Whole-heartedly.
Just yesterday, I did write a post pleading with Holliday to get some hits. All he needed was that homerun in the 6th. Let’s hope that got him back in the groove.
So, what’s on tap for Wednesday back at Busch? Wainwright, game one winner vs Cole, game two winner. This is exciting stuff…the stuff the playoffs are made of. Flashback to 2011 when Cards went into game 5 against the Phillies: Carpenter vs Halladay. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.
You can sleep well tonight, Cardinal nation. These boys are just getting started.
Go Cards!
