Cards' Playoff Hopes Wain...Get It Wain?

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I can't remember the last time a regular season baseball game loss affected me so much.  Friday's loss to the Brewers was one that left me visibly upset , then, through the weekend and still today.  Of course I understand and do believe that the team must come first and individual accomplishments are a distant second.  Having said that, the bullpen meltdown last Friday probably cost Adam Wainwright the Cy Young award.   No matter what happens the rest of his career, he won't be able to look in the baseball encyclopedia and see 20 wins and Cy  Young by his name for the 2009 season.  It should be there. And there would be a team benefit.   The funk that has been hanging around the Redbirds for three weeks could have been lifted to a degree.  The ballclub could have, at least, talked themselves into thinking that they could still win big games with something on the line.

Speaking of turning it on with something on the line the Cardinals are going to, once and for all, prove or disprove the light switch theory of sports which would in turn empower or emasculate junior high coaches all over America. 

"Boys, you play lahk you practice."  Or, "Fellas, you can't turn it off and on."

The Redbirds employ two of the best three pitchers in the league.  They have the best catcher in the league.  And if I may borrow from the great Wil Brimley,"You're (Pujols) the best player I (the Cards) ever had...and you're the best damn hitter I ever saw."

So, I get the hope that is held by the Cardinals and their legions but, if the Cardinals win they will have disproven the addage...Let's hope so.