Well, the Cardinals have returned home after winning their 6th consecutive series; not bad considering the rocky start the Redbirds had. Kyle Lohse, Kyle McClellan, and Jaime Garcia have really been something to watch. Their pitching is on and looking very nice. Offensively the Cardinals have been fun to watch, especially since Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman are ranked number one and two, respectively, in batting average in the National League. Who knows - Lance Berkman may be the player of the week again. All I know is these two guys have really picked it up and have helped the Cardinals stay on the winning side of the fence.

There is no doubt that the David Freese injury is an unexpected shot to the team, in light of his strong start this Spring. He'll likely be sidelined for more than two months. David will be challenged personally to stay positive about his recovery, and the rest of the Cardinals' team will need to work hard to fill the third base void.

Congratulations to Eduardo Sanchez and Fernando Salas who have come up from Memphis and done a terrific job out of the bullpen, as has Miguel Batista. Sanchez already has a big win under his belt from down in Dixie and Salas has a couple of saves under his belt as well.

I really have enjoyed watching this Cardinal team turn it around from the first two series. We are going to need to see the other members of the offense to start stepping it up to relieve some of the pressure from Lance and Matt - and we've already seen occasions where a different Cardinal each night does the job - Albert, Colby, Yadi, Nick Punto and how about that 9th inning triple from Gerald Laird last Saturday. We need everyone to stay healthy and play top-notch ball during the next eight weeks or so while David Freese is recovering.

Outside of baseball I would like to wish a close friend and former Manager of mine at Mike Shannon's good luck with her future endeavors. The Missouri Sports Hall of Famer Rita Scott has taken a position over with our friends at Gateway National Golf Links. I will probably see her more now at Gateway then I did at the restaurant. Rita, good luck and please put me down for the first foursome this Friday.

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New happy hour starting at 2 p.m.

June 6th-June 10th at Lumen

Cinco in the City - El Borracho

May 2—8
Cardinal Home Stand
Busch Stadium

May 5
Cinco De Mayo
El Borracho — Corner of 20th and Locust

May 6
Martin Lawrence Comedy Tour
Scottrade Center

May 7
Kentucky Derby

May 14
American Heart Association -
St. Louis Start Health Walk
Busch Stadium

May 16—19
Cardinal Home Stand
Busch Stadium

May 22
Bon Jovi
Scottrade Center

May 30—31
Cardinal Home Stand
Busch Stadium

June 3
Operation Food Search Chocolate Cookie day with the Cardinals
Mike Shannon's