A Brief Look At Matt Carpenter, Your New Favorite St. Louis Cardinal

Jackie Robinson Day Over, I Can Now Passively Watch Baseball Again

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Score Update: St. Louis Cruises To 10-3 Victory

After dropping their home-opener to the Chicago Cubs on Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals reminded everyone why they are the defending world champions, as they cruised to victories in the final two games of the series, including a 10-3 win to clinch the series on Sunday afternoon.

Matt Carpenter was the story of the series, as he hit 7/12 against the Central Division foes over the three games. Carpenter was at his best in the final game of the series, batting 4/4 and driving in five runs. Carpenter also hit his first home run of the season. Yadier Molina chipped in a three-run home run, which helped propel the Cardinals to an early lead.

Jake Westbrook improved to 2-0 with another dominant performance on the mound. Westbrook pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run in the victory. In his season-debut, Westbrook didn't allow an earned run in the victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

For more on this series, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, and for more on the Cardinals check out at Viva El Birdos. For more news, notes and analysis around the league, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Score Update: St. Louis Leads 6-1 At Midpoint

The St. Louis Cardinals are leading 6-1 over the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning of Sunday afternoon's game in Busch Stadium. The Cards were leading 6-0 after getting to Cubs starter Paul Maholm early, but Chicago trimmed the lead by a run in the top of the fourth inning.

After getting a pair of runs by stringing together some hits in the second inning, the Cardinals were able to open things up a bit on a three-run homer by Yadier Molina. That capped a four-run sixth inning for St. Louis, helping to give starter Jake Westbrook some room to work with.

In place of Lance Berkman, Matt Carpenter has smacked a pair of singles as the team's first baseman, including an RBI single in the second inning.

For more on this series, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visitBleed Cubbie Blue, and for more on the Cardinals check out at Viva El Birdos. For more news, notes and analysis around the league, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals: Lance Berkman Not Part Of Starting Lineup

The St. Louis Cardinals' bench is seeing some action on Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs, as a couple of the team's usual starters are getting the day off. First baseman Lance Berkman continues to nurse a calf injury, third baseman David Freese is out with a sore finger and center fielder Jon Jay is just getting some time to rest.

All three aren't in Mike Matheny's lineup for Sunday afternoon, which you can see below:

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Tyler Greene, 2B
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Carlos Beltran, RF
5. Yadier Molina, C
6. Matt Carpenter, 1B
7. Shane Robinson, CF
8. Daniel Descalso, 3B
9. Jake Westbrook, P

Cardinals Vs. Cubs: Cards Aim To Take First Home Series of 2012

The St. Louis Cardinals' return home this weekend started with a 9-5 loss, peaked with the team receiving their World Series rings and concludes Sunday with a game that will determine whether the Cards win or lose their first home series of 2012. Tasked with leading the charge is Jake Westbrook, who is coming off of a dazzling start vs. the Cincinnati Reds in which he pitched seven shut out innings.

Westbrook was hit hard by the Cubs last year, but Chicago's new look line up features a heavier dose of lefties, who only put up a .645 OPS vs. Westbrook last season. He'll face Paul Maholm, who was pounded in his first start of the season vs. the Milwaukee Brewers and was 0-2 in two starts vs. the Cardinals last season, when he was a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Game date/time: Sunday, April 15, 1:15 p.m CT

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.

Starting Pitchers: Jake Westbrook (1-0, 0.00 ERA), Paul Maholm (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

TV: FSN

For more on this series, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, and for more on the Cardinals check out at Viva El Birdos. For more news, notes and analysis around the league, visit Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Update: St. Louis Bounces Back With Win

After dropping their home-opener against the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals bounced back with an impressive 5-1 win to earn their first home victory of the season. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6-3 on the season.

Lance Lynn impressed again on the mound, allowing only one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. Lynn improved to 2-0 this season and has a dominant 1.50 ERA. The St. Louis bullpen was also effective after Lynn left the game, as they allowed only two hits and no runs over the course of the game.

Yadier Molina continued his hot start to the season, driving in a team-high two runs and going 2/4 at the plate. John Jay, David Descalso and Tyler Greene each drove in a run in the win.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Update: Cards Score Four In Fourth

With neither team able to generate much offense in the first three innings, the offensive outburst by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning came seemingly out of nowhere. However, after the two teams combined for just three hits in the first three innings, the Cardinals were able to break the game open and take 4-0 lead.

Yadier Molina drove in the first two runs of the inning on a single, with Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter both scoring. Holliday reached base on an error, while Carpenter advanced him to third with a single. Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene each drove in a run to close out the scoring for the inning.

Lance Lynn has been dominant on the mound for the Cardinals, allowing only two hits in five innings. Lynn is looking for his second win of the season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Update: Rain Delays First Pitch

After dropping their home-opener against the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals have been forced to wait a little bit longer in their pursuit for their first home victory, as rain has delayed the start of the second game of this series.

While the Cardinals were able to continue their hot offensive start to the season, the pitching proved to be the issue in the 9-5 loss to the Cubs. Adam Wainwright really struggled in his second start of the season, as he allowed eight runs in just three innings. Although Wainwright didn't have his best stuff, the bullpen delivered an impressive performance, allowing just one run in six innings of relief.

Jon Jay continued his solid start to the season, as he recorded three hits in the loss. Matt Carpenter had his best game of the season, hitting 2/4 and driving in two runs.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs: FOX Coverage Map, Lineups And Starters For Saturday

The St. Louis Cardinals play the Chicago Cubs at 1:05 PM CT on Saturday, but the most important aspect of the day will be the ring ceremony commemorating their 2011 World Series Championship. after wrecking the 2012 home opener at Busch Stadium on Friday. The weather forecast in St. Louis once again includes rain, but even mother nature can't put a damper on a World Series celebration, right? Lance Lynn will take the mound for the Cards and he will try to follow-up a brilliant debut performance with another gem against the rival Cubs.

The game will be nationally televised on FOX, and here is the regional coverage map to check if you are an in-market viewer for the game. Here are the starting pitchers and lineups:

Starting Pitchers: Lance Lynn (1-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Chris Volstad (0-0, 5.40 ERA)

Chicago Cubs (4/14)

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Bryan LaHair, 1B
7. Geovany Soto,C
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Chris Volstad, P

St. Louis Cardinals (4/14)

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Jon Jay, CF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Carlos Beltran, RF
5. Matt Carpenter, 1B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Daniel Descalso, 3B
8. Tyler Greene, 2B
9. Lance Lynn, P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals: TV Schedule, Starting Pitchers, Radio Info And More

The St. Louis Cardinals' 2012 home opener was spoiled twice, first by rain and then by the Chicago Cubs, who jumped out to an 8-0 lead against Adam Wainwright and claimed a 9-5 victory. In the second of the three-game set, the Cardinals send 24-year-old righty Lance Lynn to the mound. Lynn sparkled in his first start of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers as he gave up just one run, two hits and one walk while striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings of work. Chris Volstad will take the mound for the Cubs.

Here is the key information for today's game.

Date / Time: 1:05 PM CT, Saturday, April 14, 2012

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Starting Pitchers: Chris Volstad (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (1-0, 1.35 ERA)

TV: FOX

Radio: AM 1120 KMOX (click here for full list of affiliates)

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

St. Louis Weather Threatens Cardinals Vs. Cubs, World Series Ring Ceremony Saturday

Unfortunately for fans set to watch round two of this weekend's Cardinals vs. Cubs series—and really, anybody who has to deal with St. Louis weather—April is shaping up to be considerably less temperate than March. Saturday's weather is storms all the way down, with showers and thunderstorms set to pass through all day. KSDK reported Saturday morning that heavy rain will be expected all afternoon, with no respite until the evening. With so little room between these storms it's easy to see a rain delay—which seems extremely likely—turning rapidly into a postponement.

The Cardinals and Cubs are schedule to begin play at Busch Stadium at 12:05 PM, with the World Series rings being handed out a half an hour before gametime. None of this has been postponed yet, but it's looking like little more than a matter of time until the rain delay shuffle begins. I'm sure Fox Sports Midwest has already prepared The Best of Cardinals Kids' Club with Andy Benes and Fredbird and Baseball's Greatest Shortstops for the occasion.

Adam Wainwright's Velocity: Close But Not Quite There In St. Louis Cardinals' Home Opener

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Final Score: Chicago Takes 9-5 Victory

An 8-0 deficit after three innings proved to much for the St. Louis Cardinals, who fell 9-5 to the visiting Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.

Related: Cardinals Opening Day 2012: What Happened To Adam Wainwright?

Adam Wainwright struggled from the beginning, giving up a three-run home run to Ian Stewart in the first inning, then a grand slam to Bryan LaHair in the third that gave Chicago the 8-0 advantage. It was just the second time in Wainwright's career that he allowed eight earned runs.

St. Louis finally got going at the plate in the fifth inning and scored five runs on Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija, but that was as close as they'd get to the Cubs on Friday.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Opening Day 2012: What Happened To Adam Wainwright?

It's a fact of our life, this year, unrelated to the fact that it happened on the St. Louis Cardinals' Opening Day at Busch Stadium—Adam Wainwright is just now recovering from an elbow surgery that cost him all of the 2011 season, and we're going to be terrified of every bad outing he has until he proves he's totally healthy. Bad outing number one: Unfortunately, the eight runs he gave up in the Cardinals vs. Cubs game on Friday.

If it's any consolation, his velocity looked—well, not quite as good, yet, as it did in 2009 and 2010, but mostly unchanged from where it was in 2007 and 2008, his first year's in the bullpen. His sinker sat around 90, his slider-slash-cutter sat at 86, and his curveball at 74. He gave up the first big home run on a 90 mph two-seamer to Ian Stewart, and the grand slam to Bryan LaHair on a 91 mph sinker in the third, which came after a few of them opened the frame down at 88.

It's hard to say he's all the way back from the evidence so far, but as poorly as he pitched Friday it didn't look like the ominous beginnings of a return to the disabled list so much as evidence that his arm strength is not yet all the way back. So for now, just keep worrying like usual, is what I'm saying.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Score: Matt Carpenter Triple Chases Jeff Samardzija

Cardinals Vs. Cubs: Rain Delay Pushes First Pitch To 3:45 CT

The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will have to wait a little longer to open the first home game of the season at Busch Stadium. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, first pitch will not come until 3:45 p.m. CT:

#Cardinals: pre-game ceremonies delayed until 3 p.m. First pitch set for 3:45 p.m. because of rain delay. #stlcards

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 13, 2012

The game was originally slated for a 3:15 p.m. CT first pitch, but inclement weather has altered the original plans. The Cardinals send SP Adam Wainwright to the mound today to face SP Jeff Samardzija.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

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Cardinals Vs. Cubs Lineups: Freese Back In Lineup Against Samardzija

The St. Louis Cardinals (5-2) take on the Chicago Cubs (2-5) Friday afternoon with a pair of power righties on the mound. SP Adam Wainwright -- whose fastball average 93.5 mph in his last full season -- and SP Jeff Samardzija (95.3 mph fastball in his start on Sunday) square off in the Cardinals' home opener.

Game action may be delayed a bit as some weather passes through the are, but when action resumes, the Cardinals will send out this lineup:

#Cardinals #OpeningDay lineup: Furcal 6, Jay 8, Holliday 7, Beltran 9, Freese 5, Molina 2, Carpenter 3, Descalso 8, Wainwright 1

— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) April 13, 2012

And here is a look at the Cubs' lineup:

#Cubs lineup @Cardinals 4/13: DeJesus RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Stewart 3B, LaHair 1B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Samardzija P

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 13, 2012

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

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Cardinals Vs. Cubs: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The St. Louis Cardinals (5-2) hope to stay hot against a struggling Cubs team (2-5) in the home opening series this weekend.

St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day 2012: World Champs Finally Home For Series Vs. Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs will start the Midwest's favorite rivalry with the 2012 Busch Stadium home opener.