Game 44 Open Thread: May 24, 2007, 12:10 pm CDT
ah, the nl central: such a silly little division. here are the standings since may 9, right before the cardinals embarked upon their 2-7 trip to socal and detroit:
| W | L | PCT | GB | |
| hou | 5 | 6 | .455 | --- |
| stl | 4 | 7 | .364 | 1 |
| chi | 4 | 7 | .364 | 1 |
| mil | 4 | 8 | .364 | 1.5 |
| pitt | 4 | 8 | .364 | 1.5 |
| cin | 3 | 9 | .250 | 2.5 |
that's right, folks: during one of their most discouraging stretches of play in this century, st louis lost ground to only one team in the division --- and only 1 game, at that. this is not a fluke. here are the nl central standings over each team's last 162 games:
| W | L | PCT | GB | |
| mil | 80 | 82 | .494 | --- |
| hou | 79 | 83 | .488 | 1 |
| stl | 74 | 88 | .457 | 6 |
| pitt | 72 | 90 | .444 | 8 |
| cin | 72 | 90 | .444 | 8 |
| chi | 69 | 93 | .426 | 11 |
this reminds me of one of those municipal races in which every one of the candidates sizes up his/her opponents and smiles inwardly: what a bunch of mediocrities. how can i possibly lose? my apologies to any of you who happen to be municipal officeholders --- but if you are one, as long as i have your attention could you please see to it that my g*ddamn alley gets paved? . . .. um, uh-oh waitaminute i just remembered something: my brother ran for his township council last year. and i have a cousin who served three terms on his local school board. and my wife sits on our city's Parks and Rec board . . . . . okay, so this metaphor doesn't apply to every municipal race across america. only to some of them.
i happen to think the brewers are pretty good this year, and the cubs are probably better than their record; that said, it wouldn't take much for the cardinals to get back into striking position. for all the disasters that have befallen them this spring, they're only 6 games out in the loss column as of this morning --- not exactly light-years behind. with a win this afternoon, they can get their record since josh hancock was buried back to .500.
but let's not get ahead of ourselves. one game at a time; they've got a long way to come back.
edmonds' power stroke returned from the dead last night, the single most encouraging event since --- well, since his other 2007 homer, which occurred one month and one day ago. but last night's was different than the jet-stream-blown shot he launched at wrigley: he yanked this one high and deep to right, his first extra-base hit to right field since last season. i've been waiting to see that . . . . no, to tell the truth i quit waiting a few weeks ago. i had given up. but then, i gave up on jimmy last year 'round about july 1; he hit 9 homers that month. in the midst of the streak, i got kinda gushy-crushy on edmonds, as even the most macho of us will do from time to time:
since he called out the team on may 13, after the cards' lifeless 3-0 loss to padres rookie justin germano, edmonds is hitting .300 / .417 / .500 --- it's only a 9-game split, but it's so nice to see such gaudy numbers that i couldn't resist. in fact, what the hell --- here are 9-game splits for most of the team, juxtaposed against the 34-game splits they opened the season with. "OPS diff" lists the differential in each player's OPS, pre and post may 13:
| through 5/13 | since 5/13 | OPS diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| eckstein | .207 / .282 / .234 | .500 / .516 / .633 | +633 |
| edmonds | .208 / .274 / .264 | .300 / .417 / .500 | +379 |
| molina | .264 / .337 / .310 | .400 / .444 / .560 | +357 |
| duncan | .284 / .371/ .474 | .333 / .355/ .800 | +310 |
| pujols | .248 / .347 / .426 | .382 / .462 / .559 | +248 |
| rightfielders | .198 / .255 / .275 | .324 / .361 / .353 | +184 |
| rolen | .204 / .283 / .306 | .250 / .364 / .357 | +132 |
| TEAM | .234 / .301 / .322 | .323 / .374 / .467 | +218 |
yeah yeah yeah; it's only 9 games, a random blip. to a man dying of hunger, one crumb of bread seems like a whole loaf; in the nl central, one crumb can be worth a few games in the standings. it's how you survive in this silly ol' division --- one crumb at a time.
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5-2, 2.43 |
5-3, 3.27 |
GAME TIME 12:10 CDT
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Comments
that Edmonds homer
I did the fist pump...
I keep an eye on the top, but I really think you have to look at the standing one ladder rung at a time. Must get past next team...
Edmonds
Just as we get all teary eyed...
another good lefty takes the mound against us.
yeah, but we're countering with Looper...
Aint it the
by rockin redbird on May 24, 2007 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Here's to the rest of the summer...
I have to admit..
Things aren't as bad as they seem. Thanks the the Division we live in.
ok.....
wow!
Line of the day
Dave
by Sydney dave on May 24, 2007 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
It's really amazing to me how many
by MdRedbirdFreak on May 24, 2007 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Those mugshots
by secretweapon on May 24, 2007 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Great comment
"Gorzelanny reminds me of the alien/man from Goonies.
Baybee Ruute!!
In a related note, we are swinging the bat like One-Eyed Willie tonight"
Personally......
"what do you suggest?"
"A lot of night games!"
That 9 game span
by Jonathan23 on May 24, 2007 10:25 AM EDT reply actions
I'm the starving guy that gets a crumb
I'm still disappointed about the two games on the road trip we gave back. Actually, 4 games. No way should we have lost those last 2 games to Detroit and no way should we have lost those last 2 games in Los Angeles. Both of those games were given away, not taken.
How good would those 4 loses look in the win column right now? 22-21, 2nd place in the NL Central and two games back in the loss column, 4 games back overall.
But I'll take these tiny bits of life we are getting now. Just don't give anymore games away, ok?
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 10:30 AM EDT reply actions
If...
This team hasn't produced in the clutch and hasn't had the best of luck either.
by matt reeder on May 24, 2007 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't look at this
by MdRedbirdFreak on May 24, 2007 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Lost opportunities
by nycardfan on May 24, 2007 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
hardcore, i agree w/ you re wasted opportunities
even just 2 more wins (and, accordingly, a couple fewer losses) would make a big differernce right about now. but insofar as they have a minus 55 run differential this season, we probably ought to be thankful things aren't worse than they are. in the nl east they would be 10 games out of first and 7.5 games out of second --- dead and buried. in any american league division they'd be absolute toast. it's very lucky that we can still sit here and hope for good things.
Better to be good or lucky
I guess what gives me hope is that (based on past experience and performances) this team hasn't played it's best baseball yet. The NL East and West have done the Cardinals a huge favor by bring the Brewers back to Earth a bit.
It's just enough to, even still below .500 and 8 games out, give me hope that everything can break right and this team is 'above average' enough to challenge for that division lead.
Gotta win games like today, though.
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
in reverse order
re luhnow --- i e-mailed him the questions at 4:30 o'clock CDT tuesday, a total of 30 questions; haven't heard back yet but i think it's premature to follow up with him and ask for an ETA. i'm sure he will respond, but it might take a little time; it is, after all, very close to draft day.
if i haven't heard back by next monday, i'll check in w/ him to see where things stand.
Todays Lineup per FSN Midwest
Ludwick
Pujols
Encarnacion
Rolen
Taguchi
Molina
Miles
Looper
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on May 24, 2007 11:09 AM EDT reply actions
All righties
Anyone else find it an interesting part of our current adventure that the lineup from day-to-day changes so much and is so unpredictable? It's a long way from 2004, but in an odd way it's kind of fun.....
I'd like to see Ludwick
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Could we get some more text too?
by Jonathan23 on May 24, 2007 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Let's just replace the pitchers mug shots...
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on May 24, 2007 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Or the first GIS
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
here it is for braden looper
by jeff abs on May 24, 2007 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
brilliant!
by Birds on the Matt on May 24, 2007 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Another suggestion
by ColinMacLeod on May 24, 2007 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I'd also I'd like a deep dish pie with sausage and olives delivered to the office ten minutes before game time.
Thanks...
Gorzelanny enjoys
Until today, that is....
and loop....
by busch league on May 24, 2007 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
A little OT,
a comparison between "Lost" and this year's team
Looper Ks Bay...
Jocketty needs to move this guy at the first possible instant.
Argh, Scotty
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 1:36 PM EDT reply actions
Yea
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
No kidding
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
how long
for two months now he's been hitting better than a lot of the guys hitting 1-6.
Molina is a beast!
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
And to watch him rumble around third
Let's run the butcher boy with Looper here...
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 1:42 PM EDT reply actions
New Slogan
by sgfcards on May 24, 2007 1:45 PM EDT reply actions
blah
by longhornscardinals on May 24, 2007 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
Gorzelanny...
There's your Lead
These 10 pitch ABs
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 1:57 PM EDT reply actions
Bullpen's rested and it's a home day game before
Still...
Depending on how the linups match up
Don't forget
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
12 pitch innings
Gorz is at 54 through 3. Hopefully taguchi and molina will make him work...
I guess
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It's always worked fine for me...
by davethebutcher on May 24, 2007 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Mine is usually supposed to be blacked out
However, they are having troubles with mlb.tv, they've cut to commercials in the middle of the innings and the game is WAY behind the radio.
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
You cannot stop
He has to be leading the team in SB now. What's he have? Two?
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe McKay should be given a hook and rope
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
How about
Stealing 3rd? Does he think the steal sign is Oquendo breathing?
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
figures
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 2:18 PM EDT reply actions
Murphy's Law
Argh.
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
That would have scored a run
Oh well, Looper better pitch the shut-out now.
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe that means we'll see Edmonds
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
He and Rollens
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
uh, listen, tom...
Thanks Wildman
How much longer...
He's one who won't be able to carp about never getting a chance...
No killer instinct today
Hope Looper can keep it going.
has anyone else's MLB.tv connection
My stream is freezing every time I turn around.
and
definitely did not meant to sound like it does . . .
i've had some trouble
by davethebutcher on May 24, 2007 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I know punching my screen won't do anything
I love how it always seems to disconnect right as the bat is being swung, but the connection works perfectly for the lovely Dick's Sporting Goods commercial. Clever, MLB, clever . . .
My mosaic is 1000% worse this year...
by Ignatius J Reilly on May 24, 2007 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
foul balls
by 10worldchamps on May 24, 2007 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Lots of offense
Cards have stranded a few too many runners
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on May 24, 2007 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
The triumvirate...
Lot's of missed chances and baserunning gaffes for the Cards, as usual...
Miles 3-3
I'm guessing pinch hit with Speezer. Bust this game open kid!
Yikes
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
So splits
The "injured pitcher" rule
No Duncan or Edmonds here?
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions
ESPN
That article is right
Gameday said Looper was batting for himself...
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on May 24, 2007 3:06 PM EDT reply actions
You still have Duncan
by The Ol Goaler on May 24, 2007 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
8 LOB now...
by Ignatius J Reilly on May 24, 2007 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
Well that blows.
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
I'm not worried about Bay
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
dammit
I'm going for a run to blow off steam... we can't let this one slip away.
Anyone think LaRussa got fooled
Tony went out and argued that since the BP pitcher had left the bullpen, that he was 'in the game' so to speak.
I think Tony sent Speezer up to ph thinking the lefty was coming in and left Edmonds and Duncan on the bench.
Cause, otherwise...it made no sense. Use Edmonds there, put the pitcher in Ludwick's spot, then let Duncan pinch hit for him in the 8th.
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:09 PM EDT reply actions
um, ryan?
How about a doubleplay
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
TJ is coming in
There is no way we should lose this game, but I'm getting that feeling about another 'missed opportunity'.
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:16 PM EDT reply actions
also
I think Wellemeyers name should be changed
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Hindenburg
Sounds good to me
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice job of pitching to get out of the mess
by Ignatius J Reilly on May 24, 2007 3:25 PM EDT reply actions
Just traded away Rolen in fantasy
How did I do? Honest feedback much appreciated.
You sold low and bought high
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
Ha
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
seems like you did good
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Prince Fielder?
He's the whole reason that trade was made.
Hope it works out for you, though.
Now the bring in the lefty grabow
Ludwick out again.. his days are numbered.
nevermind
The righty Rogers coming in now
He didn't want to face Duncan
Ryan Ludwick
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 3:27 PM EDT reply actions
Dick's sporting good commercial
2-3-4... 1 for 12
what's wrong with this picture???
hitters 5 - 8 today..... 8 for 11.
thank god the bottom of the lineup is coming up.
no no no no
no, not now . . .
with the wind blowing out . . .
"Oh, the hummanity"
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
good grief...
this feels like we're trying to figure out a way to lose this game.
i'm getting sick.
We could REALLY use Franklin right now
Oh well.. Wellemeyer with a chance to prove himself here.
oh no
I noticed that too about his pitches
I wish Dunc would teach him the split finger fastball.
3 of the last 7 batterns HBP??? with a 1 run lead
I'm dreaming
He's a mop up pitcher. TLR, you been drinking lately?
In all honesty
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
i'd stick with TJ before I'd go with
What about Thompson? You really think Wellemeyer is the best option???
No, I don't but
Pitchers availible
Hindenburg
Flores
Jimenez
Jimenez is going to close, Wellemeyer or Flores and Randy was sucking hard yesterday.
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Franklin and Izzy are unavailible
I think it was because
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey
hancocks family
by thefordhamflash on May 24, 2007 3:45 PM EDT reply actions
crazy, yes
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on May 24, 2007 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Also suing the driver of the car that broke down..
What the hell is that about? It's shameful.
by BTown Birds fan on May 24, 2007 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Unbelievable
A very unfortunate epilogue to a real tragedy.
by brdsnbt on May 24, 2007 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
so much for respecting the dead
sorry, but i think that's a disgraceful thing to allege.
well,
here's the part of the complaint i don't get: "The intoxication of Joshua Morgan Hancock on said occasion was involuntary." um, what? are they saying someone slipped him some rohypnol?
I think that
you are correct
bloody hell
let's not go through that again. I'm not ready to had a one-run game to Welle.
maybe that guy's a good pickup
bud smith pitched a no hitter
You never know
Badumching!
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
hey, if ryan franklin can be a setup man
well
Todd Wellemeyer BB/9 in the majors = 6.14
I mean WOW. 6 batters every 9 innings? They pull TJ cause he didn't have great command and replace him with a pitcher that walks 6 per 9.
Franklin never struck out a lot of batters but he had a significantly better WHIP. He needed to learn to keep the ball down (DD's expertise). Wellemeyer can't doesn't have command of his pitches and I don't think that's something DD can fix.
Not that I'm totally sold on Ryan Franklin = setup man.
agreed --- the walks are terrible
i'm not saying the guy should be handed the setup role. but, as i said, i didn't see anything troubling in that inning. he threw 12 pitches today --- 10 were strikes. since joining the cardinals, he has thrown a total of 78 pitches (including today) --- 59 have been strikes.
I think if we give him time
Let Dunc work with him for a bit.
nice job Hindy
let's chalk that up as a
Time for Rolen
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:46 PM EDT reply actions
Izzy is warming up
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:48 PM EDT reply actions
i guess they didn't want to do the 4 out save
I wish it wasn't though
o, i know
that doesn't make it right though.
The leverage in that situation was over 3. That should have your best pitcher in the game not someone with an ERA around 9.
Another late game 4-pitch walk to Rolen.
But we're due for a baserunning mistake.
by paCardsFan on May 24, 2007 3:48 PM EDT reply actions
Is that Herzog
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:48 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah Dan
Ted Simmons in the home half
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
RE: Hancock family lawsuit.
They probably do have a case against Shannon's since newspaper reports said a waitress there was concerned enough to offer to get him a cab. That would suggest that she recognized that he was not good to drive. Since Shannon's served him teh drinks they are respoonsible under the "dram shaop" laws if memory serves me well.
yup
agreed
of course..
I agree
don't know Missouri law
for the second straight day
by stlcardinalsfang on May 24, 2007 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
hey hey!
by stlcardinalsfang on May 24, 2007 4:01 PM EDT reply actions
SWEEP!
Another grind it out victory.
We got a long way to go fellas but this is a start in the right direction!
Not the first sweep
by Petkovsek on May 24, 2007 4:04 PM EDT reply actions
solid work boys
Feel for Pirates fans
by Hardcore Legend on May 24, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions
"The Cardinals are coming tra-la-la-la
Some of my earliest Cardinal memories are of Harry Caray singing those words after every game in early September 1963. The Man was retiring at the end of the year, the Cards had started the season in first place then were passed by the Dodgers and even though still in 2nd place were far behind the Bums.
Then the Birds got hot. They went off on a 10+ game winning streak in September to cut the lead and every day after they won Harry would start singing. Of course all of us fans were going crazy mostly because we wanted Stan to make it to the World Series just one more time, none more so than my dad and grandfather both of whom were at Musial's first game. They went to every game as there was no way they would miss Stan's last game, and they often let me go with them.
Alas, the magic ended and the Bums couldn't be caught, but it was a crazy, fun few weeks.
by Ignatius J Reilly on May 24, 2007 4:14 PM EDT reply actions





















