The weekend series on the North Side did not go as planned. The Cardinals lost only one game to the Cubs in the standings, but if Carpenter’s triceps strain turns into missed start(s) or, heaven forbid, more time on the disabled list, this series may just have cost the Cardinals a shot at postseason play. When Carpenter called Yadi to the mound and La Russa and Weinberg followed, I thought things were going to be very bad. At this point everyone in Redbird Nation is waiting for good news, hoping that ’strain’ means ‘he’s going to be okay’. I was not able to see the game on t.v., but the radio broadcasters (John Rooney with Mike Claiborne filling in for Mike Shannon) began their speculation with Carpenter either wanting to clarify signs or wanting Molina to call a certain pitch more often. They quickly realized things were not right on the mound. Perhaps, like me, the broadcasters had already come to take Carpenter for granted as an Ace forever in the hole. Well, I learned my lesson, but I’m hoping in a week or two that this setback will be all but forgotten and #29 will again be leading the Cardinals towards October.