Game 4 Open Thread: April 6, 2007

by lboros on Apr 6, 2007 6:41 PM EDT in St. Louis Cardinals News


wainwright	rodriguez
2-1, 3.12	9-10, 5.64

not to jinx wagonmaker as he makes his first big-league start, but he's been dominant in april / may during each of the last two seasons. in 2005 down at memphis, he carried a 2.44 era through the month of may with a 7:1 k/w ratio; last year he was at 0.77 through april and 2.03 through may, with a 6:1 k/w. he was very hard on the astros last year --- allowed only 1 walk (it was intentional) and 0 homers, while notching 11 strikeouts in 8 and a third innings . . . .

in getting swept by the pirates to open the season, the astros got 0 extra-base hits from lee, berkman, and ensberg; their bullpen blew two games late; and they made 4 errors while turning only 2 double plays --- including a costly boot on a flyball by new centerfielder chris burke. it all sounds kinda familiar . . . . after the sweep was completed, Crawfish Boxes said morosely: "If you want to take an optimistic note from tonight's game, you could be happy that at least the bullpen didn't blow the game. . . . The Astros are off tomorrow and play again on Friday against the defending World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals at 7:05 pm on Friday. Hopefully Wandy can surprise the hell out of me and not get shelled."

and if you'd like to read about yet another 0-3 team, here's mike carminati on the phillies. . .

good reading over at Bird Land today about jackie robinson's uniform number.

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Now let us praise famous men...

I posted over on another thread that I'm read the book about Flood v. Kuhn, "A Well Paid Slave." While all of us here praise the exploits of the past generation, Brock, Gibson, etc. for their baseball feats, we should also pause to remember the context in which they did it.
I'm not going to judge the thoughts or attitudes that our African-American heroes faced, but rather concentrate on their resolve, their dignity, and their sheer overwhelming desire to excell inspite of hate. They played in the minor leagues throughout the South where they weren't allowed to dine in the restaurant with their teamates. Until the mid sixties, the Cards spring training hotels were segregated; black players stayed across town at what has been described as a flop house.

Bringing the 42 out of retirement is a good start to remembering where we've come in just really two or three generations.

by Brock20 on Apr 6, 2007 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

per Bernie...

... Carp threw today without pain, Edmonds out tonight, Spiezio cleared to play and will start tomorrow.

"Carpenter had a long toss in the outfield for 10 minutes or so and said his elbow felt fine, with no problems at all. But he stressed that he really would know much more Saturday, when he has his between-starts bullpen session and really lets it rip.

Edmonds out tonight; seemed surprise not to be in there. La Russa, however, said that Edmonds has been complaining about his shoulder and foot and hamstring, so the training staff advised to keep him on a schedule of playing two out of every three games, until he gets in shape. "If he hadn't been complaining, then maybe the training staff wouldn't have said limit him to two out of three (games)," La Russa said."

http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=446704

lineups:

Eckstein
Duncan 7
Pujols
Rolen
Wilson 9
Molina
Taguchi 8
Kennedy
Wainwright

Biggio 4
Lamb 5
Berkman 3
Lee 7
Scott 9
Burke 4
Everett 6
Ausmus 2
W. Rodriguez 1

here's hoping the TLR/Edmonds bitch-fest doesn't last all-season again.

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

just play him

and quit platooning him until he proves he can't hit lefty. throw last year out, and his career vs. lefty stats are actually pretty nice i believe (can't look up now, stuck at work.)

Future Redbirds

by erik on Apr 6, 2007 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with erik and.......

I just don't understand it...I mean all spring training I am told one thing after another about schumakers defense and how he is just as good on offense as So and Wilson. Why isn't he playing more. I just don't get it!! I guess I am just frustrated.

2/3rd's of the earth is covered by water, the other third is coverd by Jim Edmonds

by cardsphan04 on Apr 6, 2007 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

wait...

... are we talking about Skip or JED? personally, i'd rather see both in, even against a LH. if JED is ready to go, let him go. and neither Wilson nor Gooch have shown enough this Spring to keep Skip out of the lineup at this point, IMO.

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

So's playing tonight because of the lefty.

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

and your point is?

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

nice

the ceremony for bagwell is nice, but future HOF?? Let's go get em Redbirds!

by snortyclaus on Apr 6, 2007 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

either...

I would prefer jrod or skip over So or Wilson. I don't really feel like it's a matter of Jrod or Skip earning it but more of a feeling that they have not lost it where as So and Preston have showed us why they should not be there. I mean i was there wed. and i was just disapointed in the effort from Wilson.

2/3rd's of the earth is covered by water, the other third is coverd by Jim Edmonds

by cardsphan04 on Apr 6, 2007 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

BP

named Rasmus, Haerther, and Jay the best outfield in the Texas League. Anderson got mentioned as amongst the best catching prospects. Exciting stuff. That Springfield team is one to watch.

by Toddius396 on Apr 6, 2007 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

Is that

a subscription article? or do you have a link?

by El Hombre on Apr 6, 2007 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

But oddly...

Goldstein named the Palm Beach team the one to watch. Wait, maybe it is. Oh well, between the two teams, a lot of young talent the likes of we haven't seen in years.

If you guys aren't reading Erik's Future Redbirds Blog, you really should. Not to sound like a sycophant, but its really good, it covers the young kids, and Erik presents the analysis and information in a very easy to read style.

I'll be going to Springfield in June and hope to make Palm Beach in August. Now that I have my computer issues figured out, I'm going to try to get to work on my Flickr page of baseball photos.

by Brock20 on Apr 6, 2007 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

interesting strike zone tonight

hope wainright gets the lh batters box strike calls too...

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Apr 6, 2007 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

my god this ump sucks.

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

the strike zone has been pretty wild thus far

I liked the 5 second delayed call against berkman

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

stop the phones

Wilson struck out. . .

o wait that isn't news. . .

sure it is; it means he's still inexplicably on a major league roster.

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Im sure

Astro fans loved that Wilson K

by El Hombre on Apr 6, 2007 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Looks like a whole lotta guys

will K tonite.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

Bagwell

Bagwell is certainly a HOFer no doubt about it.

SaberTJ

by SaberTJ on Apr 6, 2007 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Is the game televised?

On FSN Midwest, I have the Pacers/Bobcats game, two non-playoff, NBA teams.

Two-thirds of the world is covered by water, the rest is covered by Jim Edmonds

by viva el rojo pajaro 42 on Apr 6, 2007 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

i've got it...

... and i'm in So. Il.

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

i've got it on FSN

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Wainwright is our best damn hitter

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 8:47 PM EDT reply actions

maybe second best

yay, duncan ;)

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/comments/2007/3/30/95356/7290/46#46

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Apr 6, 2007 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

apparently the key to the cardinals scoring

is having the pitchers hit doubles!

Well done Adam!

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

Fsnmw

nice hit wainer!!! I live outside springfield IL and I'm getting the game on FSNMW on cable but my dad has dish and does not. It sucks but they're still attempting to resolve the situation in blackout markets.

by snortyclaus on Apr 6, 2007 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

in the words of john kelly...

"thank you, thank you, thank you!"

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

Can we get lil Dunc some more starts

against mediocre left handers?

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

hello lead, runs

we missed you guys

Future Redbirds

by erik on Apr 6, 2007 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

memo to lamb

SWWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Future Redbirds

by erik on Apr 6, 2007 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

leadoff walks....

...pulling my hair out

by Ignatius J Reilly on Apr 6, 2007 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

followed by the 'stros first hit...

..then a sac fly; 3-1 Birds

by Ignatius J Reilly on Apr 6, 2007 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Still pretty weak offense

only 3 baserunners through 5 innings. Granted all 3 scored, but still pretty pathetic.

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

Leadoff walks

Unacceptable.

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Stellar infield defense

Acceptable!

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

Let's make Wandy

throw more than 7 pitches this inning, fellas.

by six on Apr 6, 2007 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

will

9 to eck alone do?

by sdesserman on Apr 6, 2007 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

When would you pull Wagonmaker?

Given Looper's quick emptying of the ol' fuel tank, how long do you leave in Wainwright? I realize there are many variables: Wainwright was a starter until last year, the batter, the number or lack of baserunners, etc. Would you let him get to 100?

by bgh on Apr 6, 2007 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

I give him a shot at a

quality start in his first MLB start. Then an attaboy and a shower.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't pull him out now

...but I'd have a short leash. Shorter now that Carp may or may not have a problematic right elbow. I'd aim for 90 pitches, I think.

by bgh on Apr 6, 2007 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I've never seen Pujols struggle like this

He's had one good AB so far this year.

Pujols > God

by joker24 on Apr 6, 2007 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

trade him

lol

In Albert we trust.

by Mr Redbird on Apr 6, 2007 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

someone make

jose's arm stop waiving

Future Redbirds

by erik on Apr 6, 2007 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Insanity

What is he thinking? Why is he so aggressive with runners who would then be in scoring position for Pujols and/or Rolen? This makes absolutely no sense. He's a lunatic out there.

by bgh on Apr 6, 2007 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

jose

He must have bet someone Pujols wouldn't get any RBIs this week or something. He's killed almost as many innings as the 3 spot has so far.

by roebirds on Apr 6, 2007 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Duncan hesitated

Duncan would have been safe had he not hesitated. He must have been surprised Jose was bringing him to 3rd.

by Schnick24 on Apr 6, 2007 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

since when did?

oquendo become "send-em in kim?

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Wainwright for 2007 NL All-Star team

In Albert we trust.

by Mr Redbird on Apr 6, 2007 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

I'm betting on it.

n/t

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

mid-season bats?

assuming the carp is somewhat healthy, the pitching looks serviceable. however, unless i'm missing something, this team needs to slot dunc in on a nearly daily basis and we need to add a corner outfield bat.

in the midst of so much parity, who's going to be available? mench and jenkins aren't likely pick-ups due to the inter-league rivalry. who are the other viable candidates?

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

Waaaaaay ahead of yourself

That would depend on alot of things. We don't know who will and won't be contending. Right now the Pirates are in the NL Central lead with the Reds and Brewers a game behind. Not saying it's going to stay that way, but at this point you just don't know. Maybe the Yankees will fall apart and we can pick up Matsui, and then we can have a Matsui/Taguchi outfield with anyone else.

In Albert we trust.

by Mr Redbird on Apr 6, 2007 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

it's never too early...

lately i've found myself wondering if we can sign crisp at a dime on the dollar. he's clearly not the answer, but he would provide edmonds insurance and enable us to trade taguchi for tens cans of albacore tuna.

i think i'm just terrified by this outfield. i'll shut up and start squirming now.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

At what point...

does Duncan play everyday? Is he the only Cardinal outfielder without an error so far?

Acquire any Established Major League Starter!

by guayzimi on Apr 6, 2007 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

83 pitches through 6

Another quick inning and he could see the 8th

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

Is Preston Wilson still getting paid by the Astros

Because he's playing like it.

In Albert we trust.

by Mr Redbird on Apr 6, 2007 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Let me repeat this

which may not have been stated earlier in this thread, but should be now:

I love Adam.

Kid can pitch AND hit.

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

Be sure to send us all

wedding invitations!

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh for sure!

I'll tell you once we decide on the Bahamas or Tahiti for the honeymoon! ;)

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

You forgot to mention

His quick defensive reflexes.

by calico30 on Apr 6, 2007 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Did that double play look as amazing

as Rooney made it sound?

by BTown Birds fan on Apr 6, 2007 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

yes, yes it did.

tonight is making me much happier.

by mattybobo on Apr 6, 2007 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

one of the best I've ever seen

though i think yadi missed the tag- it was a sweet slide.

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Apr 6, 2007 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

And the Emmy goes to...

Yadier Molina, for selling his "tag" on a sick 1-2-3 Squeeze Double Play.

Awesome play, tho.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Apr 6, 2007 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions

"Selling the tag"

Ah.... an international professional soccer trait seeping into the National Pasttime? Even as a player, I couldn't (wouldn't) "sell" a play. If the ump made a bad call, I would immediately show non-support for his decision. You know.....sportsmanship. Unless Yadi truly thought he made the play, I havn't seen the play, then I wholeheartedly support him. Luckily these types of plays don't occur that often.

by Yadier on Apr 7, 2007 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

Check out Baseball tonight's Web Gems if you want to see it

by El Hombre on Apr 6, 2007 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

i've literally never seen that before.

by kindred on Apr 6, 2007 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

who won that gold glove again?

eat it, ausmus.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

yadi's D

guy is badass in the field

by snortyclaus on Apr 6, 2007 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

Nothing needs to be said.

(I love Adam)

;)

I think at this point, out of all our relievers, I'd be most comfortable seeing Ty Johnson for the eighth.

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

INSANE!!!!

That was a GREAT double play!!!!

My question is was it the right thing to try and get the out at home plate? It was risky... obviously it worked but mabee you trade an out for a run there?

Yadi Mo made a great tag, spin, and throw... Please noone ever complain about his bat.

2006 Cardinals- An underdog story

by Born in 82 on Apr 6, 2007 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

speaking of d

anderson has thrown out two today so far

by johnstonburg on Apr 6, 2007 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions

And Chris Perez

just gave up three runs :/

by El Hombre on Apr 6, 2007 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

ARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!

My cable's gone out in Jonesboro, Ark... so NOW I'm reduced to trying to follow the game on Gameday. Keep me posted, gang!

(Wainer's through 7... get 'im outta there, Tony! Time for the 'pen!)

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

i'm sort of in the same boat.

No EI, Dish has been locked out buy DTV&Cable. just got off the phone with time warner, since we allready have internet&phone, it's only going to be $10Bucks more a month for tv, plus $159.99 for EI. bummer is, earliest instal is the 17th. so dad and I are SOL till then, unless the cards play pitts or cincy or atl or flubs. gameday is no way to watch a ballgame. it's pathetic.

GO CARDINALS

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Apr 6, 2007 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it bad

that I'd rather see Duncan up that Albert right now?

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

DUNCAN....!!

4-1! Double on fan interference!

Now APu has a chance to break his ongoing funk. C'mon, big man!

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

And they intentionally walked him?

Wow. They must remember how much he's burned the 'Stros in the past.

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

i felt the same way...

the double was a bad break. i hate that damn field.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn ground rule doubles...

by BTown Birds fan on Apr 6, 2007 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

maybe this duncan kid can hit lefties after all...

by mattybobo on Apr 6, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Well, we know he OWNS

Wandy, at least.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

good job houston

walk a man into scoring position... so you can pitch to rolen... make em pay scotty

by bennythejet on Apr 6, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

uh, i think both of them were already in position

not that i'd prefer pitching to rolen over pujols at the moment.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

WTF SCOTTIE??

gameday says he stikes out looking on 3 pitches right down the middle. is that true?

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Apr 6, 2007 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

No, he swung at the first one at least,

and the second if I remember right. He watched the third one though.

by BTown Birds fan on Apr 6, 2007 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

not exactly.

two of them were on the inside black and would have been tough to hit.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

thank you

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Apr 6, 2007 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Franklin

does his job... c'mon, Randy!

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

berkman

this guy scares me....

by bennythejet on Apr 6, 2007 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Whoa...only 83 posts?

Where is everyone tonight?

by ryanisforever on Apr 6, 2007 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

well i started drinking early in case this

game ended up like the last 3.

maybe everyone else decided the same. . .

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Normally,

my TV's in a different room than my computer, so I miss the back-and-forth here.

Up and down the radio dial, no Cardinals; my cable provider lost their link to the game; and Gameday is (ahem) less than satisfactory...

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

good job!!!

way to go randy!!

by bennythejet on Apr 6, 2007 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

Randy!!

Siddown, Fat Elvis. Still haven't forgiven him for that game late in September last year and that HR off Carpenter...

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

isn't "fat elvis"

any oxymoron?

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Wilson needs to be replaced by JRod

let's cut our losses and DFA him

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

Anybody else think

that if John Rodriguez hit righthanded, he'd be on this ballclub instead of P-Dub?

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

izzy us up

got lee... scott... and burke... one at a time... lee may be the toughest one

by bennythejet on Apr 6, 2007 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

We get to see what the closer's role looks like

now that Adam (yay) is in the rotation and the role belongs to Izzy again. I guess we need to know how many antacids to order for the season...

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

whosawha?!?

I just got home and I'm a lil tipsy. Why are we winning? I thought we weren't going to do that this year?

by effin fisk on Apr 6, 2007 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Why are we winning?

That's easy.

ADAM :D

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a feeling...

that we'll hear from Scarlet a lot every 5 days this year.

by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 6, 2007 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh, I'm here for every game

Even stuck it out through the Mets debacles. But yeah, you know. Adam. :D

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

And people thought I was crazy for taking him

in the 8th round of my fantasy draft. I knew better...

Thanks for the updates. I can't wait to see the replay of the double play that somehow involved Yadi having the world's strongest throwing arm or tagging arm or something.

by effin fisk on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

nice K Izzy

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

impressive indeed.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Two Down!!!

One more to get! Go, Izzy!!!

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

izzy. . .

let's not start this now. . .

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

just took two tumbs

just once id like to have a three batter ninth...

by bennythejet on Apr 6, 2007 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Uh-oh

"Lights out" for Izzy is still "flicking the switch madly up and down."

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

<i>that's</i> funny.

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

What if....

this had been a one run lead? Another B.S.
More's the point, shouldn't a top notch closer not even allow the tying run to come to the plate with a three run lead?

by tinstl on Apr 6, 2007 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

Izzy isn't

by any definition, a "top-notch closer" any more. He's aging and recovering from injury, and as we saw, his effectiveness is in steep decline. But you know he's going to be in the ninth-inning role as long as he's physically able to trot out there.

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude, it's Izzy.

n/t

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 6, 2007 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

If you look at it hitter by hitter,

Izzy got grounder, grounder, K, grounder, then that long fly ball. The only thing hit near hard was the last out. He was a lot better than his line will show tonight.

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

If you look at it hitter by hitter,

Izzy got grounder, grounder, K, grounder, then that long fly ball. The only thing hit near hard was the last out. He was a lot better than his line will show tonight.

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Rolen should have had an error

And then the little dinky grounder to kennedy would have been a double play if it had been hit a little harder, so that run really wasn't izzy's fault. he did his job.

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Apr 7, 2007 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

How far was that last out?

My mlb.tv is really flaking out.

by CardFaninVA on Apr 6, 2007 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

just in front of the warning track

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

what a relief.

now to get apu on track...

by gentry13 on Apr 6, 2007 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

YES!!!! Win number 1

Congrats Izzy on save 250!

Congrats Wainwright on a great start!

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

THANK YOU!!

good game... wainer did good... dunc was on...

by bennythejet on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

A win is a win is a win is a win...

and it's really nice to start things off in the JuiceBox with one now that the Mets are behind us. In fairness, they are now steamrolling the Braves.

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

YOU CAN BRING OUT THE ZAMBONI!!!

Whoops, wrong sport! ;-)

"That's A Winner!!!"

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

about freakin time

gameday is terriable. i'm never doing that again.

good win everyone. good win,

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Apr 6, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

Gameday IS terrible...

but with my Cardinal Cable Network flaking out, 'twas all I had... Yeesh!

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 6, 2007 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm a student in NY

and I don't have TV OR radio. So I have to depend solely on Gameday, every night. Yup, it's as frustrating as it sounds.

Sparks of Dementia Cards, A's, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Apr 6, 2007 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

that totally sucks

i'm soo sorry. I'll never complain again. my EI will be here on the 17th. so my mouth is shut from now on.

again, i feel for scarlet, i really really do.

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Apr 6, 2007 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Memphis had a nice game tonight

Brendan Ryan's off to a torrid start. He went 2 for 3 tonight with a stolen base. I think he could be an everyday player for a few years in the big leagues and a better backup than Miles.

John Rodriguez for Right Field

by azruavatar on Apr 6, 2007 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Get off Izzy's back...

it was a 1-2-3 inning if rolen doesn't make that error (it was scored a hit, which was total bs). It was good outing for him.

Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 6, 2007 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely correct

It popped out of Rolen's glove. Should have been an error, but the hometown batter got a gift from the official scorer.

Izzy did very well.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Apr 6, 2007 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad somebody said it

Rolen didn't help Izzy out tonight. He would admit it. Lee reaching to start the inning put Izzy under undo strain.

by 10worldchamps on Apr 6, 2007 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

Not sure if anyone has proposed this...

and I'm too lazy to look through all the game thread comments....

but i think that Duncan should bat cleanup on this club.

He would break up the two most potent RH bats we have in our lineup w/ our most potent LH bat.

Furthermore, he has a good eye and he's just as likely to see good pitches to hit w/ Rolen hitting behind him as he is with Pujols doing so.

Edmonds could bat second where his penchant for getting on base with a walk as often as he gets on with a hit could be exploited (hopefully despite his career numbers in that spot).

Duncan looks to me like Howard did last year in his second full year w/ Philly. Similar HR rates and Howard learned to hit lefties in his 2nd full season.

I thought Philly did not take advantage of Howard's emergence against LH pitchers last year until they were too far behind the leaders in that division.

I hope the Cards don't make the same mistake.

by indakind on Apr 6, 2007 11:46 PM EDT reply actions

He certainly...

earned a continual starting job. No more platoon in left needed (although an early shower with a modest lead to protect could still be warranted). If we had any sort of OPS outside of the current 2-6 spots, I'd say it would be a HELL of an idea. I just don't fancy Pujols batting with no one on very often.

by tinstl on Apr 6, 2007 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

The spot...

in front of Albert is the easiest place to hit in baseball. I didn't see tonight's game... Did he get many off speed pitches? It seems like he's the best candidate to hit in front of Albert b/c that protection really helps him. It would help Jed too, but not as much. Enc would benefit from hitting in the #2 spot as well, but his inability to walk is a problem.

Acquire any Established Major League Starter!

by guayzimi on Apr 7, 2007 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

people keep saying that

But I just don't see why it would be true, especially now that he has established himself as a bona fide hitter; if anything, it hurts his OBP because pitchers make it harder for him to take a walk.

I never saw him play for Memphis, but I think a large part of his big league success comes from his approach at the plate. He has a very good eye and looks like he is really trying to work counts and take walks. Though it causes him to strike out more, it means he sees more pitches, giving him more opportunities to see everything a pitcher has to offer and punish mistakes. I don't know if he would do less of that batting in a different lineup position, but a lineup of:

kennedy
edmonds
pujols
duncan
rolen
...
P

would score a lot of runs.

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Apr 7, 2007 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions

The only...

way to really find out whether Duncan can hit lefties or whether he can survive without Albert is to stick him at clean up every night for 40 games or so and then make a determination.

At this point just about everyone is hoping LaRussa goes with him every game regardless of who's pitching. The alternative is freakin PW who was worth -2 win shares last year and appears to have regressed.

Another consideration is that Jed has a tantrum whenever they move him up...

Acquire any Established Major League Starter!

by guayzimi on Apr 7, 2007 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I say leave him in the 2 hole

the kid can hit. period. i'm just curious, how much more proof you need out of Duncan?

here's what my everyday line up would be till or if Juan returns. and the days Jimmy plays, also taking into account SO is somewhere else. I love the man, but he has to go. Skip is better than him in every way. what's it going to take for the Cardinals to see that? how come us fans know SO's days as a regular MLB player are over, but his team does not?

ECK-SS
Duncan-LF
Pujols-1st
Jimmy-CF
Rolen-3rd
JRod-RF
Yadda-C
Kennedy-2nd

when Jimmy has the day off,

ECK-SS
JRod-RF
Pujols-1st
Duncan-LF
Rolen-3rd
Skip-CF
Yadda-C
Kennedy-2nd

as I remember it, JRod hit pretty well in front of Albert too. the thinking is a good fastball hitter will have success in front of Albert. and JRod did pretty well as I remember it. so when Jimmy gets the day off, move JRod there, and Duncan to the 4 hole. both line ups play into Tony's lefty/righty thing. and on the days Jimmy is off, those who don't think Duncan can hit without Alberts protection have a chance of seeing that Duncan can hit anywhere Tony puts him.

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Apr 7, 2007 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah

the "edmonds tantrum factor" definitely plays in, and at this point duncan/edmonds OBP are basically interchangeable. As far as JRod goes, he's probably the 5th- or 6th-best hitter on the team... he'd do well anywhere in the line-up. I'd love to see him leading off, if we had a SS or 2B or C who could actually hit.

Duncan's post-game interview credits albert being behind him as part of his success, so maybe there's something to it (even if it's just a placebo effect).

http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070406&content_id=1882798&vkey recap&fext.jsp&c_id=stl

BTW in that article it says izzy kept the game ball since it was his 250th save, even though it was AW's first win... that's uber-bad karma imho.

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Apr 7, 2007 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions

huh

maybe wainwright's first win as a STARTER, but he had two wins last year. 250 is a pretty big milestone, I'd let Izzy keep the ball too. I'm sure Wainwright will keep one of the gameballs too.

On with the youth movement!

by aet15 on Apr 7, 2007 5:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I can't give you a breakdown

of the types of pitches he saw, but the kid has a good eye; he was laying off some very tempting pitches just outside the strike zone.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 7, 2007 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Duncan in the 4hole

I've been harping on this for a while. I want to see:

Eckstein
Kennedy
Pujols
Duncan
Rolen
Edmonds
Molina
Mystery outfielder
Pitcher

Everyone still gets plenty of protection, nice right left split, and best of all, Duncan gets the chance to do what he should be doing: driving in runs. The only exception to this would be Schumaker. I would kind of like to see him get some time at the leadoff spot, with Eck dropping to the two hole. Speed up top, a great bat handler behind him. Then comes Albert and twenty miles of bad road behind him. I think it would be great.

Acquire Rocco Baldelli!

by the red baron on Apr 8, 2007 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

i like izzy

im pullin for him... but each time he seems to get in a jam... sometimes not his fault..(rolen bobble... hit up the middle) but he usually pitches around it... he seemed to hitting the strike zone last night... but ive accepted the fact that he is our closer and he will be out there in EVERY save oppertunity even if they have to cart him out there and prop him up... and thats fine, he will convert way more saves than he will blow... but i wonder how long a low 90s fastball a pretty good cutter and a ok changeup will keep him the dominating closer he used to be... i for one hopes he can do it...

by bennythejet on Apr 7, 2007 8:13 AM EDT reply actions