John Smoltz says he was tipping his pitches

John Smoltz struck out nine in his first game with the Cardinals. AP

John Smoltz joined the show to discuss his first outing with the Cardinals. Smoltz struck out nine in five scoreless innings. Here are some of his takes.

-- Smoltz said he made a couple of adjustments that he knew would help.

Smoltz learned he was tipping his pitches, and the Cardinals helped him notice it and correct it. St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter pointed it out.

"They noticed that I was tipping my pitches in my bullpen," Smoltz said. "So if i've been tipping them in my bullpen, I've been tipping them on the mound."

He also made an adjustment on the way his foot was coming off the mound. It was slipping off the wrong way.

-- Smoltz said that this was the first time that he watched SportsCenter in a couple of months.

-- Smoltz wanted to clarify, he didn't blame the Red Sox at all for what happened. Smoltz blamed himself for getting "caught up in the storyline" and trying too hard.

-- Smoltz said he believes he will start on Saturday, although that's not guaranteed.