All-Star Power helps Cards Gear Up for Second-Half

Hello, Cardinals Nation!

Yes, I know, it's been a while since I've last posted.  I'm enjoying my summer...inside as most of you are probably doing as well.  My hounds don't even want to be outside for that long.

As for our Cardinals, they're taking this summer scorcher one day at a time.  Rolling into the All-Star Game this past Tuesday showed our red hot Birds cool off the stars of the American League.  Justin Verlander learned early on that the National League hitters from states knew exactly how to handle the midwest heat along with his fast ball.  Yes his location was off, but I'm more imperssed how the slew of NL hitters each zoned in on the AL pitchers to soar to an eight to nothing final score.

Matt Holliday hit and scored.

Carlos Beltran enjoyed the Home Run Derby, and scored.

Rafael Frucal hit and scored.

David Freese did strike out, and played solid defense at first base.

St. Louis pitching had the night off.  They needed a little break to recoup and gear up for Friday's matchup against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Here are a few items I'm taking away from the frist-hlaf of the season:

1) We've had a slew of AAA players come into St. Louis to help our ailing team fight to stay in the top half of the NL Central.  Keep fighting.

2) Joe Kelly - yes, you did earn that unassisted triple play against the Royals; the home plate ump called it right the first time.  I saw it with my own eyes at the game.  I'll give you that in my book.

3) Lance Lynn is for real...I know the front office has been waiting for him to emerge, and they're happy.

4) Manager Matheny fights for his players on plays he disagrees with.

5) Umps have too much control?!  Debate amongst yourselves.

6) Matheny is keeping family first for his players.  Yadi, St. Louis missed watching you at the All-Star Game, and we hope you've been able to take time for your wife and family.  We're terribly sorry for your loss.

7) Tony LaRussa, you still got it!

Moving forward the Cardinals will continue to heal, fight and play as best they can.  There's still a lot of baseball to play.  We're 2.5 games out.  Matheny was quoted in Jay Lee's July 8, 2012 article on stlcardinals.com that, "We have to do our part to make...things happen."  Matheny was referring to the high number of close games the Cardinals has been involved in where their record is still on the losing side in one and two run loss games.  "Our record could be so different right now, and there's not a lot of teams that can say that."

The Cardinals know what it's like to be in this position.  Sometimes, I feel the team plays better baseball when behind, eventhough many times it's not in their favor.  As I've said early in the season, they know what they need to do.  Their focus needs to stay consistent with their team's outline and plan for the season.  Staying on track with how they want to play baseball can produce results.

The Cardinals aren't out of this yet.

Enjoy!

Hey, anyone know what's up with Lance Berkman?  I just haven't heard much about him lately.