I will answer each of these in mid-August...

For now, I'm a little bored with MLB. Not sure if it is in part due to the extended intensity and high from the Blues run or baseball is just getting boring. I think it is both. Baseball is getting boring with launch angles and exit velocity being the main topic of conversations and players considered good, batting .235 but hitting 40+ HR's a year. That makes for some boring baseball to watch. How many games have the Cards played with 5-6 hits or less? Too many! I am impressed with the improvement in fielding and fundamentals. At least they are now up to varsity high school levels...

My prediction is they will play better in the 2nd half. At a minimum, Goldschmidt and Carpenter will come around offensively and we'll probably see more of Munoz (I hope). But there is no way the Brewers and Cubs will both continue to play as poorly as they have. I hope I'm wrong but I can't see the Cardinals winning this division unless they pick up a top tier starter or two. And if Wacha starts one more game, I think I will have to consider everyone from the pitching coach to the owner, insane!!

Go Blues!!