So... we just got swept by the pirates

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 12:51 PM EDT in St. Louis Cardinals News

Hello everybody. Lboros is out of town for the week soaking up some sun with the family, and he's got a crack team watching the place till he gets back. I'm Valatan--you've likely seen me lurking around in the comments section here a bit. I also run The Voyage of Captain Obvious, which has been lower in Cardinals content recently than it was in the past, but I'll be writing on them off and on.

Now, after getting swept by the Pirates, it might be time to take stock of the season, and the agony in the recent comments is quite visible. I say that it's time to stop worrying--the 2006 Cardinals are going to be a wild ride from here on out. They'll go on these obnoxious cold spells, and they'll go on absurd hot streaks. There's going to be no rhyme or reason to any of it--the team just has too many role players that are expected to be solid regulars.

But here's the thing, I see this as less of a problem than other people do. Is anyone honestly telling me that the 1997 Marlins were the best team in baseball? The 2003 Angels? This team isn't really built to be a championship team, but it doesn't need to be, either. So long as they keep chugging along and make the playoffs, we instantly have the fifth starter of horrors removed from the rotation, and if we get even luckier, perhaps the team will go on a last minute hot streak, which is what the eventual champion will do anyway--potentially Carp/Reyes/Mulder/Suppan is a great postseson rotation if Suppan's resurgence is for real, DuncRussa keeps on trusting Reyes' stuff, and Mulder comes back from his injury.

That's what we're left with with the 2006 Cardinals--a bunch of ifs. But at least there are about 10 NL teams that would be killing ot have our ifs.

[Editor's note]: Of course, the 2003 Angels didn't win the WS, it was the 2002 Angels. Error left uncorrected as an ode to my carelessness. But noone thought the '02 Angels were the best team in baseball, so my point stands

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Definitely ready

for the next hot streak to begin. Tomorrow against Cincy would be a very good time.

A wild ride indeed...

Did you mean the 2002 Angels Val?

"Credat Judaeus Apella, non ego."

by iron duke75 on Aug 14, 2006 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

2002 Angels

so I did

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

yes

i think i've forgotten how to be optimistic, but this definitely helps!

by jdub176 on Aug 14, 2006 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

I was just thinking...

with an off day and then Carp on the hill tomorrow, this is a good time to start a streak. If Carp can out-pitch Harang, I like our chances with Reyes going and then Soups. Don't let us down again boys.

"The right-hander is throwing up in the bullpen." -Mike Shannon

by DJ87 on Aug 14, 2006 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Yesterday was the Low Point

Yesterday was the Low Point of the season for me. I was watching the End of Sportscenter and the last game they showed was the Cardinals losing. Kruk went on to make fun of the Cardinals. Then all the Sportscenters announcers got into it. They were just ripping on the Cardinals. Just making jokes about them while the Top 10 plays of the week went through.

I think I should send a copy of it to the Cardinals clubhouse to know they are the laughing stock of baseball.

Maybe we can pull an 87' Twins?

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

whoa

capitalization??? wtf is up with that.....?

by stlcardinalsfang on Aug 14, 2006 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

I hate to say it

but I'm willing to get rid of guys. I love Edmonds, but I'd be willing to move just about everyone but

Pujols
Rolen
Maybe Eck (leadoff hitters are just so valuable)
Probably Duncan (we need to actually develop talent)

I see no life on the team. The defense isn't what it was. And let's face it, we've been swept by the Cubs twice, by the Pirates, and weren't we swept by Kansas City? Good teams don't let that happen.

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

I hate even posting that

'cause man I love defense, and Molina isn't even on the keep list.

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

well

For CF, Jimmy's price really isn't bad at all. We might as well take his $10mil option, because a $3 mil buy out is a complete waste. That's more than a second basemen!

by aet15 on Aug 14, 2006 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Carpenter..

You gotta keep Carp. He hasn't had his best year, but you still need that dominant starter.

That's beer, that's Budweiser.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Aug 14, 2006 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

But..

By the time we rebuild, carp will be in the decline phase of his career.

by BigJawnMize on Aug 14, 2006 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

You are correct

but I wasn't actually touching on the pitching staff.

Pitching wise, I believe the untouchables are

Carp
Reyes
Wainwright

And of course the last 2 could change depending on what I could get for them.

Of course, gee, everyone is a free agent anyway.

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd be willing to play out the year

see what types of FA signings can be made in the offseason, and if an impact player or two can't be landed, then go the firesale route--there are enough people on this team that some real value could be had back.

that said, Eck is in serious decline and only under contract for next year at $4M--if we are going into rebuilding, it would make a lot of sense to move him--he's cheap and offers things that are attractive to other teams.

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Can Lugo

lead off? How's his defense?

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Apathy has set in!

Gawd, Will at deadspin has it right. I am almost rooting against this team to do anything. Like if we don't win all of that talk by the front office mid-year about how we were still in first will ring hollow. Yup, we are in first place but we won't be for long. Yeah don't win that will show those front office stooges.

Has anyone heard Jocketty lately. I am in Chicago, so I don't get the local media. But if he is upbeat, I will come down there and beat his head in. I just want the front office to admit they did a lousy job this year...

by BigJawnMize on Aug 14, 2006 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

peaved

I am so pissed, I forgot to make fun of the fact valatan has a very pink site.

by BigJawnMize on Aug 14, 2006 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

It takes a real man to have a pink site

Just like being named Sue

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

You are on to me.

Sue is my real name.

by BigJawnMize on Aug 14, 2006 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

A swift kick in the ass is what we need!

After that 3 game set last night, I remembered way back from April a tirade Jim Leyland had after a crappy game, talking about many of the same things here, apathy, lack of heart, etc. etc.
That is what these Cardinals need. After last night, TLR should have been in that clubhouse kicking ass and taking names. I just want to scream "WHAT THE FUCK, 3 RUNS AGAINST THE PIRATES?".....
Here is part of what Bernie had to say:
Morale is an issue. There is no conflict, but the clubhouse is cold and cliquish. The pitchers congregate with other pitchers. The Latino players hang with each other. There are several pending free agents or option-year worriers such as Jim Edmonds. While Edmonds is the only player to speak up, others are distracted. With Larry Walker and Reggie Sanders gone, there are no personalities to bridge the various groups and lighten the atmosphere. This isn't a team that has much fun, even when it wins.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/61D6E9A64ECD511A862571CA0 0131AD1?OpenDocument

Here is the link to the Detroit blow up from Leyland:
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060418/SPORTS0104/604180358/-1/ARCHIVE

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." - Ted Williams

by WiscCard on Aug 14, 2006 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

I agree that a fire needs to be lit, but these are streaky players, and this is going to be a streaky team. The guys that would have been injury fill-ins on the '04 and '05 team are starters now, and are getting exposed. I'm just happy little dunc has shone as much as he has.

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

hot nipples/cold sweat

It sounds stupid but I'm a little excited about this hot/cold trending, well, that is, if we get hot at the right time. Obviously, continually dominating the regular season and winning all the games we should and few of the ones we shouldn't means dick-2004/2005. I'd rather get into the postseason by a few games, and then get hot for the month of October. Both Sox teams, Marlins teams, even the Astros last year follow this pattern. Am I the only TLR fan who thinks his time is up if he doesn't win one for our city ASAP? I mean the guys been to 4 world series, and yet has only played in 17 WS games. The whole overaggressive mess doesn't seem to fly to well in the World Series.

by SchwabbaMoose on Aug 14, 2006 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Wainwright?

Is anyone else concerned that DuncRussa might be overworking young Adam?

With one and a half months to go -- 60.1 IP - among the league leaders.

Yesterday's implosion might be a sign of fatigue?

by cardsfaninmass on Aug 14, 2006 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

totally agree

60 innings is a big year for a reliver. I think there was a study somewhere that said the total pitches thrown including warm-ups for 75 relief innings was close to 215 starter innings. I don't know if this is true, but I could see it.

by BigJawnMize on Aug 14, 2006 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait 'til next year

My colleagues at work don't even give me grief about the Cardinals any more. And they're Cubs fans. Perhaps it is because I have begun reciting their trademarked slogan, "Wait 'til next year" over and over. It has become my mantra.

Wait 'til next year...

When Jason Marquis will be gone.

Wait 'til next year...

When Wainwright will be in the rotation.

Wait 'til next year...

When Aaron Miles is no longer on the team.

Wait 'til next year...

When we have a revamped bullpen.

Wait 'til next year...

When Young Duncan has better plate discipline.

Wait 'til next year...

When Yadi returns to his the mean in batting.

After every 6- or 7-run inning, just repeat, "Wait 'til next year." After every time we are swept, just mutter, "Wait 'til next year." After every game-changing error, double play, or strikeout, mutter "Wait 'til next year." It is incredibly liberating, let me tell you.

by bgh on Aug 14, 2006 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

I dont see why

Miles gets abused so much on this site. I mean, sure he's pretty bad, but so are a lot of other cardinals. such as taguchi, molina, bennett, and even eckstein isnt much better than miles, at least not this year.

by PGeorge @ Viva El Birdos on Aug 14, 2006 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

No Joke

Miles might not be the best but he has a Higher OPS than both Eck and Molina.

You just got to realise this team is mixed.

It has some of the worst players in the league on its roster.

SS, 2b, C, and LF(So). This team just went so down hill.

Truthfully I think So Taguchi needs to be DFA'd.

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Worst?

Eckstein is demonstrably a better hitter as his batting average that is thirty-one points higher demonstrates. Also, how can he be one of "worst players in the league" if he is 4th in league in BA for SS and tied for 5th in OBP. All of this in spite of his horrid output post-concussion.

Molina is one of the worst everyday batters in all of MLB, let alone the NL.

With 2B, are you talking about Miles or Belliard?

by bgh on Aug 14, 2006 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

'wait til next year'

not so liberating when you have a bunch of tickets for THIS YEAR.

by Schnake on Aug 14, 2006 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I did that last year

You know... we did the "wait til next year" thing after the NLCS last year and the FO dropped the ball. Now we're paying for it and doing the Chicago Cub 2-step (wait til next year dance). With all of the free agents to be, I know there will be plenty of shake up, but it's hard not to be pessimistic and think we'll be doing the same thing again next year. Need an end to the cycle!

by jomfa on Aug 14, 2006 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Cy Young Predictor

Where can I find that at? I think someone posted it a month or two ago, if anyone can find it thanks in advanced.

R.I.P. Chris Collins

by viva el rojo pajaro 42 on Aug 14, 2006 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Here

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/features/cy

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

WTF

IZZY IS 7TH

by Schnake on Aug 14, 2006 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Saves are really important in that

he leads the majors in saves.

And we're all way too hard on Izzy--that'll be the subject of my evening post.

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Good, I'm glad someone will address it..

...there is this feeling around here that Izzy needs to be let go/run out of town/put down like a wounded horse. He's one of the Top 3 or 4 closers in baseball. There is this love affair for young, hard throwers (Lidge, Big Ears Turnbow, Papelbon) but they have a higher tendancy to fizzle out once they are figured out.

To Izzy's credit, he has 'learned' the be a good closer. He let's runners on, but on rare occasions does it burn him. Early in the year he was trying to use the cutter as an out pitch and it simply wasn't working. So now he's gone back to peppering the corners with hard fastballs and pull the chain with a 12-6 curve and up until the other night in Cincy, it's been very effective.

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 14, 2006 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

still that means he is the 7th best pitcher in the

league?

Not until he can locate that 12-6 with better consitency. when he locates that pitch, he is unhittable. otherwise..... he'll blow the save. he's blown quite a few this year.

by Schnake on Aug 14, 2006 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

As hard as we are on Izzy

I think we are much harded on Juan E than anyone else. I know it is from him taking some bad swings but he is playing above his Career numbers. He is the least of our worries. Sheesh he is at least average. I would kill for average at

SS, 2b, or C. Average at those positions would make us a much better team.

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

uh hello...

izzy is not one of the top 3 or 4 closers in baseball..
at this point in time, i would gladly take
BJ Ryan, Papelbon, Rivera, Rodriguez, Billy Wagner, Joe Nathan....

Izzy walks far too many men.....and in the situations we need him in, the last thing on earth anyone needs to do is put extra men on base

look at someone like Nathan, who no one every brings up when you talk of elite closers...
he has 71 k's and only 9 walks in 50 innings. If izzy posted anywhere near those numbers, we would have 5 more wins this year easily.

is that what they look like? psychos? let me tell you something...pyschos dont explode whhen sunlight hits them, no matter how crazy they are

by benstl on Aug 14, 2006 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

And if Scott Rolen didn't make 4 errors in crucial

situations, we'd have atleast 4 more wins. Would you still not consider Scott Rolen one of the best 3B in the league?

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 14, 2006 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

Wouldn't Izzy have another save or 2 w/o those errors?

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

yes

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 14, 2006 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Two of Rolen's errors...

were preceeded by TWO Izzy walks. A closer has no business walking anyone. So yes the Rolen errors hurt, but they are not what cost us the game.

"Forget about the curveball Ricky...Give him the heater!!"

by BleacherBum on Aug 14, 2006 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

If you blame the walks

and not the errors, then I'd point out that the offense should have gotten us more runs, or the starter should have allowed fewer runs.

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe so..

but why does Izzy get labeled a victim, and no one else does? He consistently puts himself in a bind. He claims that he chooses who he wants to attack. That is BS! The dominant closers attack whatever hitter is in the batter's box. You can't consistently put people on base in a close game (if izzy is in, the game is usually a 1-3 run game)and expect it to workout. His walks have contributed to the vast majority of his blown saves. Not poor offense, starting pitching, or DEFENSE.

"Forget about the curveball Ricky...Give him the heater!!"

by BleacherBum on Aug 14, 2006 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

On a TLR team..

...why should Izzy be punished for looking for match-ups he likes? That doesn't excuse him walking people, but in each of Rolen's two 9th inning Cubs errors, they should have been game ending DPs. No excuse. Izzy got in trouble, but he got the DP-groundball he needed and Rolen blew it.

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 14, 2006 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

psss nice to meet you valatan

sorry so negative...but izzy is a barely better than average closer....
for example
lets switch JJ Putz and Izzy

Putz has less saves, sure...but he became the closer about a month into the season and has far outperformed Jason on a team with 56 wins...

Jason needs to throw strikes.

is that what they look like? psychos? let me tell you something...pyschos dont explode whhen sunlight hits them, no matter how crazy they are

by benstl on Aug 14, 2006 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm

I was thinking about Posting about Izzy but I think I will save my post for later. I hope got some good stats and points to back up why you think Izzy should not be ripped on.

Cause I can fully explain why he is overpaid and overrated.

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

grrr

I hope you got some good stats and points to back up why you think Izzy should not be ripped on.

Which you could edit posts.

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you mean

"Wish" you could edit posts? :-D

Sorry, couldn't resist that one... ;-)

I too, find the lack of an edit button disturbing...

"Credat Judaeus Apella, non ego."

by iron duke75 on Aug 14, 2006 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I won't be arguing on him being overpaid

as $14.75M is patently crazy to pay anyone except the very best starters. But I have plenty of stats to show that the "Izzy sucks" crowd is being irrational.

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

It might be "overpaid" but good closers are so hard to find. Izzy gets it done year after year. Even if it isn't so pretty, he does his job. Brad Lidge, Eric Gagne, Keith Foulke, Turnbow none of those guys have been able to perform year after year like Izzy. Thanks in advance for making the post tonight, I completely agree that him being trashed ins't deserved.

by aet15 on Aug 14, 2006 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

That Cy Young calculator should

probably have some way to calculate blown saves. That way Iz wouldn't be on the list to get us so riled up on an off day.

by Schnake on Aug 14, 2006 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

It calculates losses...

...a blown save that doesn't result in a loss shouldn't have extra weighted value. If that were the case, then if a starter goes out in the 7th inning, allows a run to score to tie the game and then the team gets the the lead in the bottom half of the inning, would you deduct points from the starter for not 'holding the lead'?

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 14, 2006 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

The Cardinals biggest problem...

is that they don't spontaneously burst into song and dance while on the field. It would really build team unity.

I mean, just look at the 1968 London Silly Nannies.

That's beer, that's Budweiser.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Aug 14, 2006 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

I think

Something along the lines of "Kumbaya", with everyone holding hands, and...........

Ok........some pitching would help too.......

by fuegophil on Aug 14, 2006 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Welcome Val

Thanks for filling in, and I agree with what you said.

A couple of weeks ago, I checked the World Series teams for the last several years to see how often the team with the best regular season record wins the Series. The answer - in the 21st Century, NO team with the best regular season record has won the World Series. We all remember and regret the WS failure of the 2004 Cards (105-57 in the regular season); but the 116-46 (!) Seattle Mariners of 2001 didn't even make it to the Series.

So there are now two seasons - the long one to get in the playoffs; and the short one for the championship.

We're still in decent shape to make the playoffs; and once in the playoffs, it's a matter of who gets hot. Well-timed streaks by Pujols, Edmonds, and/or Rolen could take us all the way.

Although we're offensively weak at SS since Eckstein's concussion, at C, and in LF (although Duncan has his moments), and counting on Mulder at this point seems wishful thinking, I'd rather be where we are than where the Reds, Brewers and Astros are. They're looking up at us, thinking, when those guys get their act together, they'll pull away again.

P.S. I agree with abstl that we could use some song-and-dance.

by madridbend on Aug 14, 2006 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Izzy.....

Let me just ask one question about Izzy.....when he comes into a game....do you feel confident that he will close down the game and get the save?

I don't. You can take all your statistics and charts and excuses...but the bottom line is the guy VERY rarely comes into a game and CLOSES down the other team...sure he leads the league in saves but it's a deceptive stat... How many times did he come into a game with a 3-4 run lead and allow 2-3 runs...but get the save?.. Many ..so the saves stat is not that telling to the true ability of the outing in that case. Sorry but he is NOT one of the better closers in the game as of right now. Period.

by Timbo02 on Aug 14, 2006 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

So, you'd rather have

a closer who "closes down" the other team, say, 51% of the time rather than a guy who comes in, issues a walk, then gets the save 90% of the time?

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Izzzy

Issues "A" walk would be fine...but in his case he issues 2-3.. Look I'm not saying the guy has completely lost it...but do you really consider him still one of the premier closers in baseball this season?... Has he been better of late?. a bit yes.. but again...I don't feel or am trying to imply that Izzy is the problem with the Cards...scoring 3 runs in 3 games in Pitt...had nothing to do with his abilites as a closer, that's for sure...all I'm saying is the guy is not a premier closer by any stretch of the imagination.

by Timbo02 on Aug 14, 2006 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

If you want to trade him

and can get something great, sure.

Otherwise, Izzy is way down the list of problems we need to solve/things I want to complain about.

by sdrone on Aug 14, 2006 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think your math is pretty poor

Izzy has 29 Saves against 8 blown saves. That is a 78% succes rate and I'm not sure that is acceptable. It's damn near a blown save 1 out of every 4 times. If you can live with that so be it but I think a closer has to be, in common terminology, "Lights Out" at the very least 90% as you said earlier.

Brolio for Brock!!!

by allenbrent on Aug 14, 2006 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

John Kruk

this morning said that the Cardinals will not even make the playoffs and then, right now on PTI, Mike Wilbon and Dan LeBatard said that they might make the playoffs but wouldn't deserve it. And basically went on to say how bad the Cardinals suck. Don't attack me for putting it out there. I'm still hoping for a good wake up call is coming but it seems the Cardinals are the big ESPN topic regarding disaster right now.

Brolio for Brock!!!

by allenbrent on Aug 14, 2006 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Now that Krukie has predicted that the Cardinals

won't make the playoffs, they are sure to. He has almost never been right with his predictions--including my all time favorite of him predicting a 30 win season for Randy Johnson in New York.

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you V...

both for your work on the sight and the Kruk info. That actually did make me feel a little better. I had forgotten about the Johnson 30 Wins prediction until you refreshed my memory.

Brolio for Brock!!!

by allenbrent on Aug 14, 2006 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

didnt Kruk

pic Stl earlier in the year? SO my question is if you pick them and pick wrong what does that say of you?

As I said yesterday I think this is what makes the team so hard to watch. They neither suck so bad to be out of it, or are so great to clinch it. They kill you by losing eight straight, then thrill you with a hot win streak...maybe now thye got it you say, and then they lose like 10 of 12 or something...

RHCP said it best Rollercoaster of love...they are consitently inconsistent.

by punchinjudy on Aug 14, 2006 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

Kruckie...

I love the guy....but he knows as much about baseball as Harold Reynolds knows about hitting on women.. I bet its just a matter of time till the ESPN braintrust or as I like to call that network " the Yankees and RedSox Flagship Station" start talking about the DeWitts plans for firing Tony and his staff because of the losing streak in Pitt. You watch?...it will happen.

by Timbo02 on Aug 14, 2006 6:44 PM EDT reply actions

No

No its is the "Epstein Steinbreiner Promotion Network"

by DimitroffVodka on Aug 14, 2006 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

Almost...

Epstein, Steinbrenner, and Poker Network.

by whopperman on Aug 15, 2006 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

what

come on we all know there is no such thing as east coast bias...

even though if Pujols played in New York hed get more play I think Kruk said that.

Pujols could throw a no hitter tommorrow and ht two dingers and Papi walks off with a home run..i think the lead with Papi ok a bit extreme, but last week they showd 2 yanks games..at least they were against the Wsox but nothing beats a thrusday night game of Drays red sox...oh ya

by punchinjudy on Aug 14, 2006 6:53 PM EDT reply actions

Well.....

Most of the viewers are on the Coasts, so they have to play to them first and foremost.

by TNFan32 on Aug 14, 2006 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions

EastCoast PN

Well...Bristol Conn. is just about centered between Boston and NYC...so I understand the reason they seem to obsess with those teams, but I'm sick of almost every promo or baseball related piece of film that they use being about 80% Yanks and Sox...

by Timbo02 on Aug 14, 2006 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

so val

when is that evening post you keep talking about coming?

by stlcardinalsfang on Aug 14, 2006 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

It's coming

I'm fighting with the html table formatting--I'm in favor of having it up right rather than having it up soon.

by Valatan on Aug 14, 2006 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Closer report

ESPN's closer stats paint an interesting picture of Izzy's year. It strikes me as odd that he's #7 on their Cy Young predictor, but shows so poorly in so many categories:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/closers

Out of 30 closers he is:

24th in Save %
14th in ERA
3rd in blown saves
29th in K/BB ratio
20th in K/9
8th in WHIP
7th in BAA

Looks to me like those who've been saying the walks are his downfall have a case. He's not bad in terms of the number of hits he gives up (BAA and WHIP), but his K/BB ratio is terrible.

by punditmoi on Aug 14, 2006 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Spivey homered again tonight...

and it's only the first inning. We really need to bring him up while he is hitting well, try to catch lightning in a bottle. I mean, heck, we are already paying him over a million dollars. I hope he is a september callup.

That's beer, that's Budweiser.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Aug 14, 2006 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

He may be lightening in a bottle if he is that hot lately.

Brolio for Brock!!!

by allenbrent on Aug 14, 2006 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

And it was no cheap homer

I'm guessing probably 410 or so to left-center. If you've been to, or seen a good pic of, AutoZone Park, he hit it into the alley between the stadium and the YMCA building behind left-center. We only get one a month or so out there on the fly, and that's where his went tonight.

by whopperman on Aug 15, 2006 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Had to pass this along

Just got this weeks issue of The Sporting News and in the baseball section they printed the top 5 Unspoken Truths at the Trading Deadline. I laughed out loud although it was a bitter chortle after I thought about it.

This was #2...

Cardinals G.M. Walt Jocketty, who was shopping for a big-hitting outfielder but settled for second baseman Ronnie Belliard: "I would say we got what we were looking for. There wasn't necessarily the outfielder there we thought we would want to acquire."
UNSAID: At least, not one these greedy owners would pay.

The other 4 are pretty damn funny also but this was the only one referencing the Birds.

Brolio for Brock!!!

by allenbrent on Aug 14, 2006 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

Public Critcism.........................

I hope we continue to get more bad press. Reason being, its the only way we'll ever have change. Sure, management knows the cards faithful will come no matter what you put out there or how bad they play.... but when you start ruining someone's name changes usually take place. Plus, all this criticism should boost the players to really step it up. I don't think there's any downside to it, other than being a fan of them when it is published.

by TNFan32 on Aug 14, 2006 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

What?!?

Both lboros is out AND JD from Red Reporter during the most important series of the year? How could they be so undedicated??? Such a shame! ;)

As baseball fans, I think we all can agree that this series should be exciting! I know I'm pumped. And I hope this time around the Harang-Carpenter match up can be a good old fashioned pitcher's duel, rather than that mess we saw last week.

May the worst team lose. (As both teams are pretty mediocre, I don't feel like "best" is good enough to describe either of them.) Cheers.

Come worship at the Church of Baseball with Sister Daedalus!

by Daedalus on Aug 14, 2006 9:21 PM EDT reply actions