Scouts' views: observations and opinions from major league scouts.

It's hard to figure out how to pitch to the Cardinals. The teams that have a chance against them are the ones with real hard-throwing staffs. The Cardinals are like the Yankees--they crush guys with mediocre fastballs. Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds can hit really good heaters, but Larry Walker and even Scott Rolen have bats that are more slider speed.... Hitters are seeing the ball better against the Yankees' Javier Vazquez because his arm slot has dropped. It's a great advantage for a hitter trying to pick up the ball. When fatigue sets in and the pitcher drops his angle, it takes a little off his pitches. It's a double whammy. The hitters see the ball better, and the pitcher doesn't have as much movement.... Devil Rays G.M. Chuck LaMar is a tough guy to deal with. He asks for the ...