Spring Training 2011: The St. Louis Cardinals, most Cardinals fans, and a lot of people not named "Lohse" have written off the team's $40 million man, which is why I don't know what to think about the resident Motocross Maniac's excellent debut on Friday. Is he—is he healthy? Could he end up being the fourth starter for real, instead of in name only?
↵I don't want to get ahead of myself. That's why whenever I get optimistic about Lohse, for the remainder of March and right on through Smarch, I will keep the following word in mind: Adequate. That's all I want from Kyle Lohse. That's all I'm likely to get. If he strikes out 10 in his next appearance? Adequate. If he spends his last start of Spring trying but failing to imitate the Charlie Brown trick with a pair of breakaway baseball pants? Adequate.
↵This is a survival strategy. I have evolved it specifically to deal with Kyle Lohse, and I'm more than happy to share it with you, in lieu of actual mood stabilizers.
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