[jg2977]

Mike Francesa:
“Alright, we gotta talk about this. The Giants just stole both games in Busch Stadium! I mean, that’s not supposed to happen! That’s a Cardinal thing! You don’t come into St. Louis and take two straight. You just don’t.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“NO NO NO NO NO! I’m tellin’ you, Mike, this is what happens when you let a team like San Francisco get loose! They’re swinging the bats like they’re in the middle of July, not the middle of October!”
Mike Francesa:
“Mad Dog, calm down. It’s one game. It’s two games. Yes, it’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Not the end of the world? Not the end of the world? They scored 14 runs, Mike! FOURTEEN! And it wasn’t even like they did it quietly — it was like they were announcing to the world that the Cardinals pitching staff is a joke!”
Mike Francesa:
“Look, I get it. I get it. The Cardinals gave up 14 runs, they gave up 12. That’s ugly. But the series is not over. It’s still 2-0, sure. But it’s still a best-of-seven. The Cardinals have plenty of baseball left.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Plenty of baseball left? They just got outscored 29 to 21 in two games, Mike! And Bill Valenzuela? That guy is playing like he’s the next Babe Ruth! Three homers in Game 1, two in Game 2, and a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth! That’s not a slump — that’s a declaration!”
Mike Francesa:
“Valenzuela is on fire, I’m not denying that. He’s the story here. But the Cardinals aren’t done. They’ve got a home crowd, they’ve got talent, and the Giants’ pitching… look, the Giants’ pitching has been fine, but they’re not unbeatable.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Fine? Fine? Mike, the Cardinals’ starter goes 3 innings, gives up 7 runs, and then the bullpen comes in and gives up more! This is not just ‘fine pitching,’ this is disaster pitching!”
Mike Francesa:
“Okay, okay. I hear you. But the point is: the Cardinals have to stop letting this get into their heads. They’ve got to take one game in San Francisco, and then the whole narrative changes.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Take one game in San Francisco?! You’re asking them to do the impossible! The Giants are playing with confidence, Mike! They’re not scared. The Cardinals look rattled!”
Mike Francesa:
“Rattled, maybe. But still alive. Still alive. That’s the key.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Alive? They’re in a hole, Mike. A deep hole. And Valenzuela just keeps swinging like the Devil is on his shoulder!”
Mike Francesa:
“Alright, alright. Calm down. It’s only two games. We’ll see what happens at Oracle Park.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Only two games?! Mike, I’m telling you — the Giants just put the Cardinals on notice. This series is not going to be easy. It’s not going to be pretty. And if the Cardinals don’t wake up, this thing is over before it starts!”
Mike Francesa:
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll give you this: the Cardinals need a response. They need it fast. But let’s not write them off yet.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“Don’t write them off? I’m not writing them off — I’m just saying the Giants are on a different level right now!”
Mike Francesa:
“Okay. Fine. We’ll see if that level holds when they get to Oracle Park. But I’m telling you: it’s still a series.”
Mad Dog Russo:
“A series? Yeah, a series where the Giants are already leading 2-0. I’ll take that series any day.”