Here's one thing: Avoid engaging in nonsense. If the Cards want to settle old scores, then let them make fools of themselves.

Our insiders say it's not about just chasing Cincy in the division and Philly in the wild card, there are others to worry about, too.

The streaking Reds are looking to finish off the reeling Cardinals this weekend and get to work on their "magic number."

As the Cardinals look to save their season or play for 2011 this weekend, they'll need a power boost -- perhaps from Colby Rasmus, the kid who slugs .580 against Cincinnati.

The series that opens tonight is no longer a showdown for the Cardinals. This series is about survival.

They're friends but intense competitors.

CINCINNATI • There's something happenin' here, and what it is — with apologies to the Buffalo Springfield — is increasingly clear.

JAIME GARCIA

He surged into a Triple Crown chase through August, while the Cards scuffled.

How can a team anchored by Pujols, Holliday and a Big Three of Waino, Carp and Garcia be flopping? Bernie Miklasz assesses the blame, from the chairman down to the manager.

Manager "not all that excited about the reception we're going to get (at) home on Friday."

Powerful signal, lucrative offer lure team to return to its radio roots. Shannon-Rooney expected to remain the broadcast team.

Cards' hitting coach acknowledges he's had a steep learning curve and that there have been plenty of frustrations..

Earlier, we scrutinized the folks who put this Cards team together. Now it's the players' turn.

Ten things to know about a 10-game disaster:

After 5 years with KTRS, club heads back to its roots and the strong radio signal KMOX provides.

Joe Strauss: Alarms are sounding. The fan base is high-tailing it for high ground. And those left behind are grabbing the pitchforks and feeding the bonfires. In a town where baseball is religion, the

Missed chances abound before Hunter Pence's homer off Jeff Suppan pushes Houston toward a 5-2 victory. Cardinals finish road trip 2-8.

With so many areas of underachievement, our insiders have trouble isolating exactly what is causing the demise of this club.

If the Cardinals are going to scramble back into the postseason picture, they'll have to do something they haven't in years -- have a winning September.