This is my second post ever on this site, and after this first game, my two worries from my first post seem to be true.... after the first game. 

First, the bullpen.  I was definitely concerned with our ben and with a 3-2 lead in the 9th we give up a game tying home run and some other hard hit balls and barely make it to extra innings.  I don't feel comfortable with Franklin closing games by any means and we don't really have anyone better than him.  This is going to be a problem as we need someone to step up in a big way.  I think it was 2 years ago that we lost a ton of game on blown saves and it seems like the trend might start again without any real replacement for Franklin.  Lets hope i'm wrong in the worst kind of way. 

Secondly....Pujols....His 3 GIDP are no fluke.  He was tied for 6 most GIDP last year and I wish I knew more about the mechanics of his swing and why it happens but its definitely not something that happens once in a blue moon.  Something in his swing is making him continuously hit ground balls as opposed to line drives in the past and i'm sure it was a big reason for his dip in BA last year, and im telling you, unless he manages to change something, i'm not really encouraged to say that he'll have one of his epic seasons again.  I might be crazy, and again, no1 would be happier to find out that I am then me, but I feel that his best days are behind him unless something severly changes in his swing.  I just don't have the same confidence when he comes to the plate like I did in the past and hopefully he'll find a way to turn things around, or Big Mac can find the kink in his swing to get his swing to where its supposed to be.

Hears to the optimists that swear I'm wrong and that Loshe, Westbrook, Garcia, and Kmac getting us through 2011!

On, and I was right about Rasmus so far having a big year too lol.  Gotta love the hype after the first game.  But if he and Holliday can get it going, maybe just maybe we move Matt to the 3 spot and avoid all these double plays.  Who knows...i just hope its not a long year, bc football is nowhere in site and basketball is nearing its end.