Continuing on the theme about the pitching, the Cardinals have completed exactly two-thirds of the season. That lends itself to some easy comparison versus the prior season totals. I'll borrow from Lee Sinins and look at run-saved above average (RSAA), assuming average is around 4.5 runs per 9 innings. For even more kicks, I'll look at runs saved above replacement level (RSAR), assuming replacement level is 6.0 runs per 9 innings. I'll pro-rate 2006 to an entire season by simply multiplying by 1.5. I'm going to group the relievers into closer, right-handers and left-handers.

The starting rotation has been a disaster and the lefty specialists haven't been much better. The right-handed setup men have sorta maintained their value, but they're on pace to pitch almost 50% more innings than in 2005 (223.7 IP thus far in 2006 versus 230 IP in all of 2005). While Isringhausen also is on pace for a few extra innings, he's not the problem either, as his 2005 run performance was unsustainably excellent.