Cardinals in must win situation

Baseball Betting Lines

08/14/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals have done everything they can to stay within striking distance in the race for the National League Central. However, the Cardinals' poor start has made it difficult for the team to make any real headway. All that can change this week, as St. Louis embarks on a seven-game road trip that will take them to Milwaukee and Chicago. The Cardinals, who currently trail the Brewers by 5 1/2 games, must win both series in order to continue their fight for the NL Central crown. If St. Louis can win both series it has a great chance of winning the division. However, if the Cardinals were to lose either set, there may not be enough time for them to bounce back

ANKIEL RETURNS TO CARDS IN MUCH DIFFERENT ROLE

The last time Rick Ankiel put on a Cardinals' uniform, St. Louis was hoping the right-hander could keep his opponents from knocking the ball out of the park. However, after a three year absence, the Cardinals are now counting on Ankiel to step into a power-hitting role, as the team gears up for the final stretch of the regular season.

Ankiel's story is a remarkable one, as the former pitcher turned outfielder was an important piece of the Cardinals' success in the late 90's - early 2000's. Ankiel made his Cardinals debut in 1999, serving as a part-time starter for St. Louis. However, after a productive first season, he was moved into the starting rotation in 2000. Ankiel roared through the regular season that year, earning him the right to start the first game of the 2000 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

His performance that day would signify the beginning of the end for Ankiel as a pitcher. Ankiel walked six batters and threw five wild pitches, ultimately costing the Cardinals a win. He followed that performance with another wild-pitch filled start against the New York Mets in the NLCS. The Cardinals went onto to lose the NLCS and Ankiel's pitching career was just starting to go bad.

Ankiel made just six starts in 2001, before having his season cut short due to elbow problems. He was forced to undergo surgery, requiring him to miss all of the 2002 season. The elbow never fully recovered and limited Ankiel's playing time throughout the 03' and 04' seasons. Unable to compete as a starter, Ankiel contemplated retiring at the end of the 2004 season. However, Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty was not ready to give up on Ankiel and convinced the former pitcher to make a position change..

Now an outfielder, Ankiel has made a quite name for himself in minor league baseball. After missing the 2006 season with a knee injury, Ankiel burst on the scene in 07' hitting a minor-league best 32 homers through August 7th. Manager Tony La Russa, who has kept an eye on Ankiel's progress throughout the year, could no longer ignore the outfielder's progress.

"You get what you deserve and he deserves some Major League at-bats," La Russa said. "This is the Major Leagues, so the better he does, the more he plays. We're going to try to win games, but the reason he's here is we think he's going to improve our chance to win."

The Cardinals purchased Ankiel's contract from Triple-A Memphis last Thursday and have already begun to reap the benefits. The right fielder has gone 6- for-16 with three home runs and six RBI in just four starts. He has given the Cardinals a much-needed spark at the top of their order, while taking some of the pressure off of Albert Pujols. Ankiel is thrilled about his new opportunity and is now focused on doing whatever he can to stay in the lineup and help his team win.

"It's a weird feeling, it's been a long time and it's a goal that I set for myself and one that I've definitely reached," Ankiel said. "I'm looking forward to reaching my next goal, which is to stay here. It's new, I haven't been a hitter here before, so it's definitely like making a debut."

ENCARNACION UNHAPPY WITH MANAGER

The emergence of Ankiel has failed to make everyone in St. Louis happy. Juan Encarnacion happens to be that one, as Ankiel has taken his place in the lineup. Encarnacion voiced his displeasure recently, noting that he carries no hard feeling towards Ankiel, but is jaded by the La Russa's handling of the situation.

"You've got to play whoever is doing the job," Encarnacion said. "I'm not upset about that situation. I'm more mad about [the fact that] I didn't even know what was going on before that happened. Players should know a lot of things that happen before you [the media] know, everybody knows about it. I've been here long enough so that [La Russa] should come up to me and say something before the thing happens."

Encarnacion has not played since Ankiel's arrival, sitting out each of the last four games. While the first three games were in response to Ankiel's performance, Sunday's game was due to a sore injury. Encarnacion was penciled into the lineup, but was scratched at the last minute because of his knee. Although MRI's came back negative, there is still know word as to when Encarnacion will be back in the lineup.

With its team in a pennant race, the last thing St. Louis needs is a distraction in the locker room. However, it does not seem as though Encarnacion has any intention of standing by quietly, as the Cardinals move on without him.

"It hurts my feelings when your manager says you don't give the effort to play," Encarnacion said. "I was giving the best effort I can do. That's not making me feel good. He hurt my feelings about that situation.

INJURY NEWS

Second baseman Adam Kennedy was placed on the 15-day disabled list after it was decided that he will have to undergo knee surgery. Kennedy experienced soreness throughout the weekend, before Sunday's MRI revealed a torn ligament in his right knee. The second baseman is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

While the doctors believe Kennedy will return before the end of the season, La Russa seems less convinced about the timetable.

"I think we'll have to wait and see," La Russa said. "I think it depends on what they go in there and see. I just don't know. I'm guessing he'll be back in September, but I don't know

WHO'S HOT

Infielder Aaron Miles has come on strong, going 14-for-35 at the plate, over his last 10 games. Miles has been consistent all season, posting 85 hits to just 24 strikeouts in 92 games. On the season he is batting a respectable .295 with 22 RBI.

WHO'S NOT

Third baseman Scott Rolen is struggling at the plate, going just 5-for-38 over his last 10 games. He has gone hitless in five of those contest and has just three home runs in his last 34 games. The Cardinals need Rolen's bat down the stretch if they have any chance of making a run at the postseason.

On the year he is batting .261 with seven home runs and 50 RBI.

ON DECK

The Cardinals will travel to Miller Park for a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers. Tuesday night's contest will feature righthander Kip Wells (5-13, 5.27) and southpaw Chris Capuano (5-9, 4.96). Wednesday night's contest will match-up Joel Pineiro (2-2, 4.50) and Yovani Gallardo (4-2, 4.20), before Adam Wainwright (10-9, 4.21) and Dave Bush (9-8, 5.07) square off in Thursday's finale.

Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds

Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it. Work left to do: Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney. Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson. Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable. Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

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