Scoops Sports Network

The Cardinals face the Dodgers for three games in Los Angeles and will wrap up a stretch of 11 straight games against playoff caliber teams. What can the Cardinals expect from Michael Wacha's return to the rotation, can Miles Mikolas and Jack Flaherty continue their recent dominant stretches, and is there an answer on the team for the issues at the leadoff spot? Chris Hrabe previews the series.

August has historically been a good month for the Cardinals. WIll it shape up that way this year? As the Cardinals head west for an interleague series against the A's and a three game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, the club prepares to welcome Marcell Ozuna back to the lineup. What can Ozuna and Paul Goldschmidt stir up if they are both producing simultaneously in the middle of the order, and how could increased production in the leadoff spot contribute? Chris Hrabe takes a look before the two game interleague matchup in Oakland.

Flaherty was at his best last night against the Cubs. Ben Frederickson said it was one of the best starts he'd seen all year. He said the clubhouse know sJack can be this guy. Also, Matt Wieters played a role in the game too. He called great pitches for Flaherty and contributed to the offense.

We talk about the lack of action at the trade deadline. What does Ben Fred say about it? In his opinion, it was a front office blunder. So how do the Cardinals stay in first with the team they have? Who will be pulled up to help? What do they do with Matt Carpenter and Tommy Edman?

MLS All-Star game and meetings have come and gone. What played out? St. Louis was on the forefront of discussions. Don Garber heaps praise on the ownership group. The group presented to the Board of Owners. They were the only expansion city to do that and that reads well. Are other teams nipping at their heals though? The city and land details are now in play. Questions linger about when will the fine-tuning on this deal be finished.

Mizzou starts football activity today. Ben Fred gives Barry Odom credit for giving media access to practice. A pretty good offensive line and so many different skills could equal many weapons.

Some buzz around the Blues and more here:

 

In this week's "Tony Talk", has baseball's trade deadline become too boring? Also, how often does a manager tell the front office to make a move and how closely do team's gauge fan reaction? Plus, Redbird Roulette on Tony's first impression of Rick Ankiel, and the analogy that has Martin a 5th starter, not an ace.

The trade deadline is here and the first place Cardinals are contemplating moves necessary before 3pm today. Who does Brian Walton think is on the table from the minors? What about Arozarena, Gorman, Carlson? With the surplus of outfielders some of them might be nervous about a move. What is the status on Matt Carpenter? More here with Brian Walton of thecardinalnation.com:

The trade deadline is here and a lot of pressure is being put on owners, GMs and clubs. The past 5 World Series teams made big moves at the deadline. Those teams were all in first place at the deadline as are the Cardinals right now. So what does that mean for us?

We talk about the past week, injury updates, the analytics department changes and more here:

The first place Cardinals welcome the Astros to Busch Stadium for a three game series this weekend. Houston already boasts perhaps the best rotation and pitching staff in Major League Baseball, and this weekend could have a lot to say about the deals the Cardinals and Astros may make before Wednesday's trade deadline. Chris Hrabe has a preview of the series, potential moves, and a look back at one of the boldest moves a team has made in recent history

An incredible roadtrip for the Cardinals. They start the day in first place in the NL central. Without some of their key players, they've won every series since the All-Star break and just swept the Pirates. Ben Frederickson talks to us about what they need to do at the trade deadline. Pitching, hitting power and more? Who do the Cardinals have to deal for win-now help?

Goldschmidt is looking more like the players the Cardinals thought they would get. Now the Cardinals get into series with winning record teams- the Dodgers, Astros and Cubs. What happens now? Frederickson said they need another dash of pepper to be considered a World Series contender.

Does Pat Maroon come back to St. Louis Blues? Frederickson says it will come down to the salary cap. If they get the players back that they want to, namely Barbashev, is there enough money left to sign Pat Maroon?

We also talk Mizzou. Frederickson's story in the Post Dispatch claims that the team could go 8-0 into a hot game against Georgia. A week from today, practice starts for the team with Kelly Bryant. Frederickson says the team has the most appealing schedule of any SEC team. Listen here for more:

In this week’s “Tony Talk”,  why the 2004 Cardinals team should be celebrated even though they didn’t win a World Series, and how a manager knows when to dial up the pressure on the players for a playoff push. Also, a look back at the weekend in Cooperstown and a certain HOFer who teases Tony that he’s a coattail Hall of Famer.

We talk about Memphis this morning with Brian Walton. It's been a down year after two great years. The pitching drain that we've seen at the major league level is also apparent in our minor systems. In Memphis, the bullpen has been a challenge. The offense, on the other hand, has been doing better than in years past but still not scoring enough to overcome the runs allowed. We also talk about how trades have affected the minor league system. What's the status on Gomber, Reyes and more?