U2 Coming To Town?

A couple of little birdies have emailed me to tell me that U2 is coming to St. Louis in 2010. The date that's been set aside for St. Louis, according to these fine sources, is July 10.

Interestingly enough, they're scheduled to play the Edward Jones Dome...not Busch Stadium.

Initially, I was under the impression that monster stage couldn't fit in a dome, but they're playing the Georgia Dome this month...so that theory is out the window.

Nonetheless, I'd rather see them play at Busch Stadium, and I thought they would be once I saw the Cardinals were out of town on July 10th. But, it looks like they'll make their second Edward Jones Dome appearance (1997 being the other) when they return to St. Louis for the first time since 2005.

The Ride We're About To Take

There's nothing better---and more stressful---as a sports fan than October baseball.

Off the top of my head, I can rattle off palm-sweating moments from every October the Cardinals have partaken in this decade:

2000: Ankiel throwing the ball all over the place

2001: The moments before and after Womack's series-winning hit off of "The Governor" Steve Kline

2002: Pujols versus Nen with Game 4 on the line...not to mention the moments before and after Kenny Lofton's series-winning hit in Game 5

2004: Edmonds' Game 6 home run, Edmonds' Game 7 catch, Rolen's Game 7 home run

2005: Pujols. Lidge. End.

2006: Wainwright vs. Beltran...or Wainwright vs. Inge

So, no matter what happens between today and 10 days from now...Cardinal fans will have a lifelong memory. Either something great...or something awful. And, with every pitch, the rollercoaster takes your emotions on one hell of a ride.

Barring a big surprise, this time next week the Cardinals will be heading back from Los Angeles. And, even though I would've preferred they not shit the bed in September and won homefield advantage throughout, I don't mind them starting in Los Angeles. I mean, you've got to like their chances---with Carpenter in Game 1 and Wainwright in Game 2---to take at least one game. And, if that's what they do, you got to like the chances of the series getting to at least Game 5...with Carpenter lurking.

My point is I'd feel a lot different about heading out to Colorado tied at one win apiece than I would about heading back from Los Angeles tied at one win apiece.

We'll know a lot about where this postseason is going a week from today. Suffice it to say, if the Cardinals are down 2-0...forget it. If they're up 2-0, fans can start looking ahead...cautiously...as I'm not 100% sold on Pineiro and/or Smoltz/Lohse. But, the more likely scenario of being 1-1 is not all that scary *if* the Cardinals are heading home. No matter what, Carpenter lurks in Game 5...and if they're desperate in Game 4, Carpenter could possibly be available on short rest.

Bottom line: I'm quite fine with the third seed...especially since the Rockies seem to have something going for them that the Cardinals have quite a tough time dealing with.

The insideSTL.com Poker Tournament At Harrah's

We will be getting back together for another insideSTL.com Poker Tournament Sunday October 18th. The buy-in is $130. Top 10 get paid. We have 100 spots available, and 2/3 of the field is full already. If you and some of your poker playing buddies are interested in playing, email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.

The insideSTL.com Best Looking Woman In The World Tournament

If you missed my column yesterday, take a look by clicking HERE. It's well worth it, seeing as there are pics of some of the most lovely ladies in all the world. We'll be doing our insideSTL.com Best Looking Woman In The World Tournament with 64 of the best facing off against each other NCAA Tournament style. This will lead to all kinds of Best Of Tournaments...but we're starting with Best Looking Woman...because we're scumbags. So, the way we're determining seeding is based on who gets the most votes. Therefore, go ahead and submit your Top 5 to contact@insidestl.com. Make sure you rank them in order, because #1 gets five points, #2 gets four points, and so on and so forth. You control the seeding. Send in your votes today by emailing contact@insideSTL.com.


Me vs. Producer Joe: Week 4

If I didn't know better, I'd say I should come out of retirement. My 5-0 record last weekend led to a few emails with people either complimenting me or asking for input on other games. Therefore, much like radio ratings, my words will mean more when I'm speaking them during a good run rather than a bad run. So, I will reiterate: with the exception of the lock of the week, I don't have a clue what I'm doing when I'm picking these games. I go with my gut...and then I type some attempt at wit and move on.

So, I went 5-0 last week to improve to 10-5 on the season while Producer Joe went 2-3 to drop to 7-8 on the year. I'm pleased that my lock of the week is 2-1 while Producer Joe's is 1-2 so far.

With the numbers all out there for you to digest, let's get it on...

LSU @ Georgia -3

Producer Joe: I have been bad the past couple of weeks. Last week was no different, still losing money after a 2-3 week, so I need to get a win with my first game. I liked Georgia last week and I lost, it happens, but I won't lose twice in a row. LSU hasn't played the schedule that Georgia has this year and deserved to lose last week to Mississippi State. They won't be as fortunate this week when they head to Athens for the CBS game of the week. LSU is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games in October, and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 following a straight up win. Ride Joe Cox and AJ Green this week. Georgia -3

McKernan: Does he do this shit on purpose? Last week he was talking about the Titanmobile. Now he's talking about "riding Joe Cox." Unreal. Here's what I know...when Joe talks about riding things, he seems to be distracted. LSU +3

Oklahoma -7.5 @ Miami

Producer Joe: I don't care if Sam Bradford plays this week or not because I don't think he is going to be needed in Coral Gables against the Hurricanes. I like a lot of what Randy Shannon has done at the U, but his early season schedule finally caught up with him last week as they got handled by Virginia Tech on the road and things aren't getting easier this week as Oklahoma has gotten healthy after losing their opening game to BYU by shutting out their past two opponents and working without Bradford and Jermaine Gresham. The Sooners are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as road favorite and 6-1 ATS in their last 6 versus a team with a winning record. Meanwhile the 'Canes are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games versus a team with a winning road record. Bob Stoops' Troops will get it get it done. Sooners -7.5

McKernan: My first instinct was to go with Miami. Then I started thinking about it...and wanted to go with Oklahoma. But, I got to stick to the plan that got me here: My first instincts...and betting against Producer Joe. Hurricanes +7.5

Rams @ 49ers -9.5

Producer Joe: As much as I want to pick the Rams and break my streak of picking against them I just can't do it. Who in the hell is going to catch the ball this week from Kyle Boller? If somehow I lose a pick because of Daniel Fells I can live with it. Seriously, now that Laurent Robinson is lost for the season, do you know who has the most receiving yards for the Rams thus far in the season is? Go and look it up....I'm not worried about that guy. Sure it doesn't look like Frank Gore is going to play and Shaun Hill is the QB for the 49ers, but once again the Rams are playing against a team that has a TE that has the ability to catch the ball and expose a huge weakness in the Rams D. I could lay out some numbers pointing towards picking against the Rams but that is just a waste of time. Lay the points while the Rams work their way towards 0-16 in their last 16. 49ers -9.5

McKernan: I'm going Rams here. And, this is the logic: I don't think the 49ers will score enough points to cover a 9.5 point spread. Now, that goes against my thinking logic stated in the above game with OU vs. Miami. But, when I know a little something about both teams---unlike OU and Miami---I can insert what I think is knowledge. I see the Niners putting up somewhere between 17 and 20. And, I think the Rams put up at least 10. Rams +9.5

Ravens @ Pats -1.5

Producer Joe: I am not sure if the Pats got their shit together last week or not with a solid win over the Falcons, but at least they looked better than they had in the previous 2 weeks. Tom Brady just has too many weapons at his disposal to be held down for too long and if he is able to get some help out of Fred Taylor/Laurence Maroney they will eventually run down the Jets I think. The Ravens on the other hand are picking up where they left off last season (one stupid penalty away from being in the Super Bowl in my opinion) and the development of Joe Flacco is exciting to watch. I just don't think the Ravens have enough to go into New England and pick up a victory outright, and the points just don't do it for me. Patriots -1.5

McKernan: Producer Joe and I finally agree. I don't buy into the Ravens. And, even though Joe Flacco quarterbacks the South Side Seamen Fantasy Football Club, LLC, I don't believe in him either. The Ravens follow Joel Pineiro on their way back to earth this Sunday. Patriots -1.5

Lock of The Week

Producer Joe: USC - 4.5 @ California
Pretty strange week in LA LA Land for the Trojans and Pete Carroll after losing RB Stafon Johnson to a freak weightlifting accident, but there is one thing I can trust for the remainder of the season......USC will not struggle against anymore Pac-10 teams. As strange as it is once a season for the Trojans to lose to a crappy team, they will just run right through the remainder of the conference. Cal got their shit kicked in last week and I expect something very similar this week, only it will be at home. USC is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a road favorite between 3.0-10 points and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss. I have been crap(1-2) in my Lock of the Week picks this season, but it all turns around here boys and girls. Lock of The Week: USC -4.5

McKernan: Tennessee -3 @ Jacksonville
I'm don't like anything as much as I liked Detroit last week. Therefore, tread lightly with this one...because it's based on logic and not finding a spread I feel is out of line. If there's a spread that I think is psychotic, it's Illinois only a 7 point underdog at home to Penn State. But, I can't feel good about telling you to take the Illini...yet I could tell you to bet on the Lions. What does that say for the Illini? The bottom line on this pick is I think Tennessee is a damn good team...but a team that's run into other good teams so far. I don't like betting against home underdogs. But, I just think the Titans are in another league from the Jaguars...and the 3 point line is only there, because Tennesee is winless. But, they're far from in the level of other 0-3 teams (see Rams, St. Louis). If the Rams and Titans met on a neutral field, Tennessee would be a 10 point favorite. I think they should be a bigger favorite over Jacksonville...but don't go crazy with this one. I have to pick a lock...so I'll go Titans -3.

 
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