True fact, sir. Let's ride.

You're dismissing Craig's knees, which are hurtful enough that third-base coach Jose Oquendo held him last night rather on what seemed a solid scoring chance. This team has fallen victim to the variable that we warned against this spring -- a high injury factor. The club is greatly diminished not only because of who's missing but because of the afflictions bothering those in the lineup. Note Tuesday's outfield: Holliday (back), Beltran (knee), Craig (knee). Then Beltran goes face first into the wall and appears to jam his wrist. A few weeks ago we suggested a bad moon rising. It now appears to have risen.

I don't make that connection. TLR is getting the entire band back for the A-S Game. It shouild be pretty cool.

That's a clown question, bro'.

Miller's velocity is down a tick. It has been since spring training. He's getting hurt by home runs and pitch inefficiency. Yes, the organization is concerned. The signature prospect entering this season, Miller has been replaced by Oscar Taveras as the organization's No. 1 talent. The assumption that Miller would receive exposure to STL this September may prove erroneous. Indeed, there there are those who believe he might benefit from a return to Springfield. Nine home runs allowed in the last 21 innings and an escalating ERA suggest a negative trend.

Craig's first exposure to second base came while TLR was recovering in Arizona from shingles. Joe Pettini was bag man for the move. As I recall, Miguel Tejada twice spared Craig when he stood in front of the base on a double play ball. Craig never turned a DP in his brief exposure to the position. Mike Matheny has voiced little appetite for a return engagement there.

Jay has yet to take a two-handed swing since being shut down in Jupiter. It's fair to say his return remains weeks away. He has continued to strengthen his right shoulder. We are now almost nine weeks removed from his collision with the Busch Stadium outfield wall and the shoulder "sprain" that the club initially thought would not require a trip to the DL. Having been exposed by the club then, Jay may be protecting himself now.

I am not optimistic. But as many ChatHeads may suggest, I typically lean toward realism. Garcia is dealing with tears in his cuff and labrum. Yes, most pitchers show some wear in those areas. But noticeable differences exist between now and the physical performed prior to him signing last July's contract extension. You should wait to exhale.

I have wondered the same. He has walked six and uncorked three wild pitches in 10 innings since his recall. It's not as though he's been Dennis Eckersley. But his absence in high-leverage situations is rather noticeable.

Motte's allowed 27 baserunners in 26.2 innings. That's hardly Franklin-esque or late-stage Izzy-like. He's gotten hurt by four home runs, including Sunday, when he appeared for a second straight day. He has employed his cutter with fair success. Motte surrendered only 2 HR in 68 regular season innings in 2011. That's the biggest difference in his performance. I suggest there are bigger issues within the 'pen than Motte.

Fair points all. However, I also thought the Cardinals the best team in the NLc. A $116 million payroll doesn't suggest transition to me. It should create expectations of a postseason. However, organizational depth did not square with the injury risks the club carried into the season. If the Cardinals had spread injuries to Puma, Schu', Jay, Craig, C. Carpenter, M. Carpenter, Garcia and McClellan over an entire year, they may have survived without issue. However, for all to go down within the first 60 games is a credible excuse/reason for a .500 record (31-31). I do question whether this club can get to October without an impact move. Carpenter and Berkman are huge variables now. The bullpen needs to be addressed for a second straight year.

Many share your concerns about Rzepczynski. I have asked him point blank. He denies a physical issue. However, his slider has gone from a weapon to a hit-me pitch. Until that pitch improves, he is vulnerable. And, yes, I agree he was overexposed earlier this year. The situation came to a head in Atlanta. Adding an eighth reliever should give Matheny more flexibility; however, the club still requires a second veteran lefty. Mo' has steadfastly denied that need -- at least publcily -- but it's becoming too obvious to ignore. Sam Freeman has offered some encouraging early results. But experience is in very short supply within this bullpen.

I'd be timid too if my best pitch had become a liability.

Not sure what you're asking. Best case, this team collects itself and wins the division. I've said repeatedly -- and still believe -- this to be the NLc's best team when whole. However, it no longer looks as though this team will be whole again this year. Craig is playing on a bad wheel, so how does his condition improve? Beltran has to protect his knee while playing almost every day. This team relies heavily on guys vulnerable to breakage. Complicate the situation with losing Jay, Schu', etc. and you've got a mess, which pretty much describes the current state of things. Worst case, the club continues to crater, Carp' doesn't make it back and July 31 looks like an opportunity to discard rather than acquire players. The next several weeks are critical.

There is truth to that. I'm still trying to find out if cart fees are included.

He's received several. The club will have numerous roster decisions when/if certain players return. Greene's play has been inconsistent, but he has factored heavily in several wins. Nobody looks particularly good right now. With a full roster his role would change. Daniel Descalso hasn't looked as good as he did last year. Furcal is in a four-week funk at the plate. Matt Holliday is hitting for average but is without a home run for almost three weeks. The situation is jumbled enough that the manager has batted Molina No. 2 and No. 3 in the lineup. Frankly, I never thought I'd see that. It's fair to say a lot is being thrown against the wall right now. Not much has stuck.

I don't know if a red ribbon was awarded. It's become increasingly apparent that the job was Matheny's to lose when he walked into the room with Mo', BDJ and the rest of the search committee. I don't believe there was ever enthusiasm for a Francona hire.

From the outset I've reported that ne negotiated a settlement with the club and is in de facto retirement as Cardinals pitching coach. Other have chosen to employ the club's verbage of "a leave." That's not my information. Dunc' made clear at the time he is available as a consultant. To my knowledge, the club has not approached him for such input this season. As for individual pitchers....

That's not my impression. One should also remember that Mo', not Matheny, put together this coaching staff. Lilliquist was also the guy who oversaw the staff during the final seven weeks of last season. Funny, no one was screaming for his head then. Or when the staff pitched brilliantly in April. My take is that the manager might benefit from being more reliant rather than less so on his pitching lieutenants.

To a degree. But let's be honest: Kyle McClellan was not pitching well before going on the DL. He admitted not feeling right for a number of weeks prior to his shutdown. The club could benefit from a competent 30-something out there.

That won't be the most absurd proposal we hear before July 31. I think Dempster would be a perfect add for this team. I question the Cardinals' capacity to make it happen, though.

Let's be intellectually honest for a moment. Yes, the Cardinals might have secured Oswalt with an overwhelming offer in February. But remember Oswalt balked at the Tigers' $10 million bid. He seemed to prefer a "Clemens" arrangement in which he pitched only a fraction of the season for heavy jack. My information is the Cardinals reached out recently but could not ascertain what his price would be. A number of subtle issues may have pushed Oswalt toward the Rangers. Perhaps you are correct and Oswalt will become a factor this summer. But his health history and layoff pose hurdles as well. He's not a gimme putt.