Did anyone else notice...

by PSKPSE on Mar 25, 2008 1:45 AM EDT

Now I know it doesn't mean anything at all but the Cards are 5th in the Grapefruit League and 3.5 games back from the first place Rays. Furthermore they havent lost (they tied the Marlins after 10 last week) a game since those March 18th cuts, a five game streak. Since then the offence has really shined, failing to score six runs only one (in the aforementioned tie), and have posted atleast 6 runs in the other 4 contests (12, 7, 6, 14, 8). The pitching also seems to be coming along. The runs against has us tied for 10th in the GFL with 128. I still think is important to remember that 20 of those came in 1 horrible game by Looper who has pitched significantly better since then. In his most recent start he let up just one run in 5 1/3 innings, while letting 7 batter touch base (5 hits, 2 BB). Sans that game, the Birds could be contending for a top 5 spot in the RA catagory.

Now Im a young fan. Im looking forward to buy my first beer at a ballgame this summer so my knowledge base is limited. But to me all that points to a pretty decent team with some real potental for hot streaks. Add in Rasmus' bat later and the season, and with plenty of depth to compensate for inevitable injuries (particularly in the outfield), I feel that in the Central theres a chance that we end up in close contention if not winning out right. Furthermore if that happens, a line up of Carp. Waino, and Lohse seem a like great wildcard pitching staff to me... Just sayin.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We've played some really awful teams

and correct me if I'm wrong but we won or tied 2 or 3 games on wild pitches or infield errors, correct?

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Mar 25, 2008 2:15 AM EDT reply actions

Try to restrain yourself

I find myself doing the same thing daily -- I begin with "Now I know it doesn't mean anything..." but then I treat the next thing I say as if it means something. And then I close it off with the "Just sayin'."

We fans are amazing creatures to be able to simultaneously assert to ourselves that spring training means nothing and to take stock in the results of spring training. I don't know how we do it, but we do.

by mojowo11 on Mar 25, 2008 4:31 AM EDT reply actions

The record means little, but on the other hand...

I don't think you can underestimate the power of getting into the habit of winning, and I don't care what time of the year it is...I know if they were 6-18, we'd all be bitching about how horrible they are going to be, so I'll gladly take this.

by tbell61 on Mar 25, 2008 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

I think

there is merit to your "habit of winning" comment. It is probably better to finish spring training strong than to win out of the gate and fade at the finish.

by cardsgirl95 on Mar 25, 2008 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

It's nice

to see some more optimism. Sure, maybe I go overboard on the kool-aid sometimes, but I honestly think this team can compete. Keeping Albert's arm attached and a successful return of one of the pitchers is the key. We'll see....

by mikeonthecards on Mar 25, 2008 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

Winning always beats Losing

ST records don't mean a thing. A lot of those runs have scored in the late innings when our AAA hitters beat up on the oppositions fringe relievers. Doesn't mean anything.

Still a win is a win. You want to get in the habit.

by O'Fallon Park on Mar 25, 2008 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

Interpretation

ST records don't mean anything if they're bad. But if they're good they are cause for optimism. That's fandom in a nutshell.

by blove121 on Mar 25, 2008 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

right

but we can definitely appreciate that they don't have a bad record right now. Because as tbell said above, if we only had 6 wins right now, the team would be shit out of optimism. But at least this way, guys like Reyes, Thompson, and Wellemeyer, who all had shaky seasons last year can feel some sort of confidence heading into the season.

Basically, I'm not acknowledging that it's a good sign. But it's definitely NOT a bad sign. And that's what we need right now.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on Mar 25, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I get a little excited by the results too, but then I remember last ST, all of our pitchers were pitching great, even Kip Wells was looking like a CY candidate, and we all know how that turned out.

by stlzoot on Mar 25, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

you beat me to it

I was going to point out how well our starting pitchers did in ST last season - that wasn't quite indicative of the regular season

I agree though - even though it doesn't really count, i'd much rather we win than lose in ST

by ecaw1123 on Mar 25, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

My advice would be to temper your hopes

so you can truly be surprised in case somehow we actually win.

And in spirit with the optimism, even though this is a bad team that won't win many games, there's still plenty of reason to watch: Pujols, Ankiel, Rasmus, and Wainwright.

Signatures are for Communists.

by JI on Mar 25, 2008 2:44 PM EDT reply actions