Yeah the above post was me.

I have to disagree. I think Ankiel would once again make a decent starter if given a chance. Yes, he gets in over his head when he thinks too much, but that's a problem for any major league pitcher. You start thinking about what pitch to throw this guy and where to throw, you're bound to screw up. Ankiel still isn't a veteran and is prone to making that mistake. Only his third year appearing in the majors, I'm willing to see what he has as a started once again. His curveball is probably the nastiest pitch I've seen anyone throw in recent memory. A guy who can throw that pitch at 90 mph with a drop like that could be hell as a closer, but he could also keep an opposing team at 0 with it if he pitched a complete game.

As for the Colorado game, that was Ankiel's one screw up during what was an otherwise stellar month. Before that game he hadn't given up a single hit and hadn't walked anybody. I'll admit I was worried how he'd perform at first. He put those doubts to rest. Now, in Colorado, everyone knows the best curveball pitchers have fits because of the thin air up there because their curveball won't drop as well. That's what happened to Ankiel. His curveball wasn't as effective as it normally would be and hung up a lot for Colorado to smack around at will. Its the wild pitches that I can't argue, he had to be thinking then.

If Ray King was closing for the Cardinals, there would hardly ever be a blown save, unless he's up against Lance Berkman, and we know how that's ended up the last couple days. Ball meet left field bleachers. I'm not too keen on seeing Ankiel as a closer right now despite knowing how well he could probably pitch in that situation. I'd like to see him given another chance at starting for the Cardinals. I honestly think he could redeem himself.

And don't overlook his other quality. He rivals Jason Marquis when it comes to swinging the bat. Hell, he had several home runs in the minors. No matter what Ankiel needs to be on the Cardinals roster next season. He'd be one hell of a designated hitter in inter-league play. That and he probably make the entire Yankees lineup looks like idiots with his curveball. And that would just make my day.

True, but on the pitcher hitting thing... The only starting pitchers the Cardinals have that aren't really solid hitters are Morris and Carpenter. Woody Williams played shortstop in college, and he's proven himself countless times as one of the best hitting pitchers in the league. Marquis we all know is a damn good hitter too (I still don't understand why he tried to turn that blooper single into a double on Sunday night, but whatever). And we can't forget Jeff Suppan... He's averaged almost .300 during his tenure as a pitcher.

I mean it's scary when you actually have people that can hit from your 1-9 spots... It's almost like the American League with a DH.

You're right about the pitchers and their hitting abilities. I tend to overlook Suppan a lot when it comes to hitting and that's mainly because he didn't have such a great year at the plate. I mean his first hit didn't come until like late August I think. Woody is definitely a good hitter but he's getting up there in age, which doesn't mean a whole lot, especially if you go look at Roger Clemens, and I think his abilities at the plate are only going to tail off over the next couple years. Morris, he's had his moments. For a couple years he was pretty consistent, even getting at least 1 homer a year, but like his pitching, his hitting is about as inconsistent as it can get. Then there's Carpenter. All I have to say about him is I don't care if he can hit or not. The way he pitched this season is enough reason for him to stay with the Cardinals for a long time.

Marquis, well, he's been talked about already. And I too don't understand why he tried to stretch that hit into a double. It was close, but most hitters would've just held at first. I guess he figured he had already made the turn and since it was a close game he'd chance. He can run when given the opportunity.

What do you know... He did it again last night. Two blown saves in as many games. Luckily this time Jimmy was there to bail the bastard out.

Best way to win Game 7 tonight. If its close and the Cardinals are winning in the ninth, keep Jason Insringhausen out of the damn game! Let Ray King or Tavarez or Haren or somebody else close the game, please.

Heck, Tavarez did a hell of a lot better than Izzy, and he was playing with an injury!

Wasn't Izzy pitching when the Astros made the tie-ing (sp?) run? I hope he is left on the bleachers this game too.

Yup. That's why he was charged with his second blown save in as many games.

haha some injury. he broke two bones in his hand because he punched the telephone box in a surge of anger. He deserved it. that was just stupid

That looked painful last night when the ball hit the bottom of his glove right where those fingers were. His hand swelled up like a balloon.

Well, Isringhausen and Marlon Anderson just moved up a notch in my book with their performances last night. That puts them at notch one. Matt Morris is still at zero.