I was excited this Spring following our World Series Championship.  I felt good about our season going into it, though I knew there would be some holes to fill.

But since then, it’s been a tough year to be a Cardinal fan.  Between the off-field issues and the on-field inconsistencies, it has been tough to consistently be excited.

But this week a few things happened that give me tremendous hope and made me feel good about this season, again.

1. The starting pitchers actually have pitched well for a week straight.  The bullpen desperately needed a rest and they got one. And the Cards went 5-2 over the span, including a game they should have won over LA when Wainwright pitched a complete game but took the loss.

2. Adam Kennedy went on the DL and will undergo surgery. It’s rare to celebrate a player going down, especially for an extended period … but celebrate doesn’t even begin to describe my response to this news.  I was optimistic about AK’s signing at the start of the year, but have been nothing but frustrated and disappointed since then.  He’s been absolutely killing us, especially in crucial situations.  And honestly, I like Ryan in the field, on the base paths, and at the plate better right now.  And it proves we have a middle infielder in the system who can do the job.  The other positive from this?  Aaron Miles is almost guaranteed more playing time – and he’s proven himself capable, especially in the clutch.

3. Rick Ankiel appears to be ready (translated: Encarnacion will finally get the bench he deserves).  I’ve been on record from day one saying I didn’t thing Encarnacion deserved to wear the birds on the bat.  Sure, his offensive numbers have been decent – he’s gonna get you 20 HR’s, knock in 75 runs, and hit .275.  But there are A LOT of guys who can do that.  His loafing in the outfield and on the basepaths doesn’t cut it.  I can recall seeing an outfielder who appeared more lazy or who frustrated me more to watch.  Sure, Duncan may be rough out there, but he busts his butt.  Every play.  Those words don’t appear to be in Juan’s vocabulary.  If he had trade value I’d trade him.  If not, I’d play Ankiel and Ludwick until they do something to lose the job, because the both play like they want it.  And Rick’s arm could be lethal, which is another thing Juan lacks, in my humble opinion.

It’ll be an interesting and important road trip to play the Cubs and Brewers, and if we keep this up, the central could look a heck of a lot different in a week.