by BERNIE MIKLASZ bjmiklasz@post-dispatch.com 314-340-819 , St. Louis Post-Dispatch

I suspect this much for one reason: Manager Tony La Russa used his postgame session to make an emphatic "I Love My Team" address, one clearly devised to calm Cardinal Nation and Cardinals players. As usual the remarks were carried on Tony TV, also known as Fox Sports Midwest.

TLR knows exactly what he's doing here. This isn't his first September swoon. Only the latest, as the Cardinals have gone 45-55 in final-month games since 2006.

And La Russa knows how to play it. Instead of initiating a massive freak-out and sending ominous vibes into his own clubhouse, La Russa is projecting cool and calm and confidence.

After losing to the Florida Marlins 5-2 at Busch Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, La Russa immediately offered a tribute to his team and praised its many virtues. He cited their effort and their resilience and refusal to surrender their at-bats during a brief ninth-inning rally.

In other words, TLR sounded a lot like eerily upbeat Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo after Sunday's 28-point loss in Seattle.

"As much as any game we've played this year, won or loss, this proves to me that we have a really good club," Spag ... I mean, La Russa, said. "A really good club. Speaking for the coaches and myself and I think the front office, we really like this club."

This is the right play by La Russa.

First, there's no reason to panic. Second, the rival Cubs are coming to St. Louis for the weekend; that should boost the adrenaline. And La Russa has John Smoltz, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright lined up to buzz a Chicago lineup that's 14th in the NL in runs per game on the road (3.92).

That said, some of La Russa's actions betray his words. What in the name of a potential broken knuckle was the manager thinking when he used co-ace Wainwright as a pinch-hitter in a sacrifice-bunt situation Monday against the Marlins? That move raised a few pulse rates within the Cardinals' organization.

Has Tony pushed too hard? Is his team worn out? I'm not going to be a hypocrite here; I believe La Russa's competitive drive is one of his winning traits. Besides, when a first-place manager has a cushion in the standings he's always second-guessed if his team struggles in October.

If folks are a little jumpy these days, blame it on 2006.

I don't think anyone who loves this team would have a pang of doubt right now except for the collapse in the final stretch of the '06 season. On Sept. 19 the Cardinals had a seven-game lead with 12 remaining. But after losing seven consecutive games and eight out of nine, the lead dwindled to a half-game on Sept. 28. The Cardinals barely held on but survived the final weekend against Milwaukee.

What followed, of course, was a delirious and spectacular October run that culminated in the 10th World Series championship in franchise history. While it's true that the second-place Cubs have shaved a few games off the St. Louis lead in recent days, the 2009 team has little in common with the 2006 Cardinals (though fans undoubtedly hope the teams have much in common by the end of next month).

In short: The '09 Cardinals are reasonably healthy. And the '06 Cardinals were not healthy in the final few weeks of the regular season. Center fielder Jim Edmonds, shortstop David Eckstein, third baseman Scott Rolen and right fielder Juan Encarnacion were all hurting, and closer Jason Isringhausen required hip surgery.

During that scary seven-game losing streak, pitcher Chris Narveson started a game. Crazy times. But when the Cardinals began the postseason in San Diego, they had their regular lineup intact, and Wainwright was poised to shine as the new closer.

Sure, the 2009 Cardinals are encountering turbulence late in the schedule. They have to settle on a No. 4 starter and get closer Ryan Franklin geared in. (He looked fine Wednesday.) Though the Cardinals are an impressive 34-16 since July 23, they've gone 27-7 against losing teams and 7-9 against those with a winning record.

Too many bats are cold. Against lefthanders, overly aggressive hitters are hacking at high fastballs and offspeed stuff that sails out of the strike zone. But the talent isn't missing. Injuries haven't taken that talent away. It's still in the dugout. Are the Cardinals really this vulnerable against winning teams and non-garbage pitchers? The answers will come in October.

For now, the bats need reheating - but not the manager.

And La Russa's "I Love My Team" address was the right touch. A cool compress applied to a sweaty forehead.

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