Game 1 Update

TLR has named Rolen the starter at third for tomorrow. Rolen says his shoulder is fine, or something.

Boy, what a hero Rolen is. Battling out there at third all of September, hitting .225 during the final month, and going 1-11 with a bloop double in the LDS.

I'm all for being tough. I'm all for playing hurt. But you have to know when you aren't your teams best option. I honestly don't think Rolen looks right. He isn't finishing his swing like he normally does.

The good news is I've never been right about Rolen in my life. In 2003, Rolen was decent, but unspectacular. At spring training before the 2004 season, I remarked to my wife that Rolen's bat looked slow to me. I thought he was overrated.

I relayed this "knowledge" to a friend in South Carolina, who then passed on Rolen in his fantasy baseball league. Rolen hit .314 with 34 homers, and my buddy "one-ringed" my cell phone after about 31 of those homers.

Prior to 2006, I figured Rolen would get stronger as the year went on, he did the opposite. Just last Saturday, I predicted a big night from Scotty. He went 0-4, leaving several runners on during the Cards only loss to San Diego.

So I'll say it in a "glass half full" type way: You're gonna suck in Game 1 Scotty. Flat suck.