The Cards finally clinched the 2009 National League Central division title by beating the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Saturday.
This victory should be dedicated to all the nay-sayers who didn’t think the Cardinals could win in 2009. It should be shown proudly to those who said the front office didn’t have what it takes in knowledge, resources, and guts to acquire the pieces necessary to make a championship team. And it should be waved defiantly in the face of those that said Tony LaRussa and his coaching staff couldn’t guide a team full of young players to success on the field.
But, honestly, there’s really no reason to pick a fight with another Cardinals fan now. Not today. Today, we all celebrate together as fans of a championship team. Our team is headed to the postseason. As of today, they have a one in eight chance of winning the 2009 World Series.
Of course, even after the high of Saturday night’s victory, the Cardinals still have plenty to do over the next week and a half.
Get Healthy
This seems fairly obvious, but it’s not all about resting the starters. In fact, that might be one of the worst things LaRussa could do. The Cardinals will have a day off tomorrow and two between the last game of the regular season and Game 1 of the Division Series. They will get a chance to rest, and if they need some time LaRussa will give it to them. These guys may not need to play every inning of every game, but they do need to stay sharp. Specifically, two players that need to get things mended over these next several games are Kyle Lohse and Yadier Molina.
Bitten by the injury bug for the first time in his career, Lohse’s next start will go a long way in determining his role on this team in the postseason. Molina, who took a foul off the knee in the bottom of the 4th yesterday, may need some rest over the next several days. But he too will have to get back in the game as soon as he’s physically able so he’s sharp for the Division Series. The last thing he needs is to go into games with that kind of importance cold and possibly injure himself further.
Secure Home Field Advantage
This has been talked about plenty, but the Cards’ record over the final seven games of the season is crucial. Saturday they collected their 90th win of the season and are mere percentage points ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in overall record. The Atlanta Braves have not yet bowed out of the Wild Card race, although the Rockies certainly are still in the driver’s seat. The identity of the Cards’ first round opponent may come down to the wire…any way you look at it, it’s best to have that home field advantage in the short first-round series. And the best way to control that outcome is to continue to win games.
Set up the pitching staff for success now and in October
Did Adam Wainwright sew up the Cy Young with Saturday’s performance? Well, he and Chris Carpenter each get one more start before the regular season ends. They’ll both get to make their cases one more time. LaRussa has already made sure his pitchers are lined up perfectly for the Division Series, but it’s important for these guys to go out and shine one last time for the awards voters. Do they need to be stretched out like Wainwright was Saturday (130 pitches)? Of course not. But they will get that shot.
This next week will also be the time for LaRussa to figure out what to do with Lohse and John Smoltz. Ideally, Lohse will be able to start and have the manager’s confidence, and Smoltz can prepare to come out of the bullpen. This would be an obvious boost to a staff that’s coming to the end of a long season. But if Lohse proves to not be up to the task of starting in the postseason, Smoltz will have to take that fourth slot and that may leave the bullpen a bit exposed.
It is time to celebrate, but it’s also time to stay focused. Clinching the division title is another step in the process. This team wasn’t supposed to be here; now that they are it’s time to keep pushing the envelope.