This week on the podcast we run down some of the crazy injuries plaguing the NLC right now:

• The Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano is on the DL for the first time, like, ever
• The Reds can’t keep a shortstop to saves their lives
• The Cardinals might get mentioned in there somewhere
• The injury to Adam Dunn’s pride to find out that the Blue Jays’ GM isn’t attracted to him

The Crack Technical Staff works on his Ed McMahon impression, and you can actually hear me sipping my glass of pinot grigio. Truly, an episode not to be missed.

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Boxscore

Like the Reds, the Cardinals found themselves on the verge of sweeping the Red Sox yesterday, thanks to two hard-fought games.

Joel Pineiro was very effective, limiting the Red Sox to just 2 runs over 7+ innings. The Sox Starter, Jon Lester, was just as effective, though. When Boston took the lead in the 8th, things didn’t look good for St. Louis.

But Jonathan Papelbon danced his way to the mound and allowed the tying run to score from an Adam Kennedy double. Then came the extra innings, where neither team could score until the 13th, when Kevin Youkilis homered to finish things.

The Cardinals played hard, though, almost taking the lead in the top of the 13th when Chris Duncan was thrown out at the plate. The team did win the series, and I wonder if it helps make up for that nasty World Series showing back in 2004.

I sat down to write some quick game wraps today, only to find the same exact results as for the last two days. Everybody lost except the Brewers. C’mon, guys, some variety, please!

Of course, I expect losses from the Reds. They have by far the most promising up and coming players, but that is negated by one of the worst managers in the Majors. Which is why they’re in last place.

Houston’s been in a terrible funk lately, and Pittsburgh and the White Sox apparently substituted their baseball players for football players as both teams scored touchdowns in the second inning.

The Cardinals and the Cubs both lost again, making it look like those premiere offensive players they both recently lost were important to their success, after all. I gotta say, I believe it with Albert Pujols, but I’m surprised that Alfonso Soriano’s absence has so affected the Cubs. Of course, this is Chicago’s first rough spell all season, so one could say they were due, injuries or not.

That brings us to the Brewers, who now sit in 3rd place, just 5.5 games back. Can they keep their winning going? I don’t know, but I sure bet the Reds can continue their losing. They travel to New York to “play” the Yankees today.

If only there were something to distract me from the play on the field, perhaps a General Manager ranting about the worthlessness of a player who’s better than any other player on his team. And preferably, that ire could be directed towards an NL Central player like Adam Dunn. Nah, GMs are professionals. Even Jim Bowden wouldn’t do that.

This week on the podcast, the Crack Technical Staff and I have a lot of catching up to do. We discuss our trip to Victory Field tonight, and how the Columbus Clippers are now a Nationals affiliate that employ Ray Olmedo. We discuss the trade rumors around Ken Griffey, the injuries affecting the Cardinals, the .500 play of the Pirates, and the shocking interest of MLB in instant replay (it’s technology that’s only twice as old as my son!)

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Just back from watching the 7-8 year old “Reds” play, and I see that the Cardinals aren’t even beating the grown-up Reds yet.

And Arroyo’s even going!