Expectations High for New-Look Cardinals

This is opening day, when every team starts with dreams of a pennant, and a clean slate. Well, not EVERY team. The Cubs, for example, don’t have a clean slate, they are already 1-1 after playing the Mets in Japan. The Cubs visit Busch Stadium this afternoon for the Cardinals’ season opener. Optimism is running high in St. Louis, where general manager Walt Jocketty rebuilt the pitching staff over the winter. One of the new starters, Darryl Kile, will take the mound this afternoon against Chicago’s Kevin Tapani. The Cards have only one pitcher, Mike Mohler, who was on the opening day roster last year. The entire starting rotation is different. Following Kile will be Pat Hentgen, Garrett Stephenson, Andy Benes and Rick Ankiel. Cardinal fans will also get their first look at second baseman Fernando Vina and center fielder Jim Edmonds today. The game is sold out.