i'm going with the first theory (lack of obp) combined with bad luck. yes, rolen would help a lot, but we have a lot of guys who can go deep in the heart of our lineup (and yadi, who at least is popping up to avoid hitting into the double play most of the time). add rolen back into our mix, especailly the way he has been playing this season, and we get more multi-run innings out of what we've got. i guess that means i also think the lack of rolen is hurting us too. ok, it's all of the above, but it just needs a tune up to be firing on all cylinders again.

I blame Tony.

Salvo = TLR-lover-baiter. :-)

I have been too busy to pay attention to much this week, so I'm afraid I won't have much more to add than the obvious -- the combination of Pujols out and Falkenborg in is easy to blame for Tuesday's loss.

But overall - despite Juan E's recent transformation into Juan Gone, this is the weakest starting lineup the 'Birds have fielded in a number of years. Miles has cooled off from his opening week hot streak, the left field carousel is not too hot (though I'd say Spiezio might have played himself into more spot starts in left the way he has filled in for Rolen), and the clutch hits that we've gotten the first four weeks haven't happened this week.

Let's see if Florida is a good cure for what ails us -- I'd say we take 2 of 3 down there.

TSF