At first blush, I think it's hard to look at this Cardinals team and think that a bigger disappointment could exist. I mean, they're coming off the World Series championship, after all. But then again, you saw their off-season moves and you sorta knew this was coming. The Reds have talent coming out of their asses. Also, these Cards are somehow in second place while the Reds reside in the cellar.

Nevertheless, the FSNO pregame guys are acting like things are on the rebound. I believe Jeff Piecoro just used the phrase “things looked bleak.” Looked. As in, past tense. Implying that they no longer look bleak.

Better, though, was what Chris Welsh just said: the bullpen is like castor oil. He continued the metaphor to say that it was OK a little at a time, but failed to say that too much gives you runs. The Crafty Lefty failed to bring it home.

So, Homer Bailey's coming up and will be starting on Friday. Ought to make for some nice Simpsons references in the Smack Talk that day.