St. Louis @ Houston GameThread, Apr 7, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Look at Leadoff

Izturis ss
ankiel cf
pujols 1b
glaus 3b
ludwick rf
duncan lf
molina c
wellemeyer p
miles 4

Per Bernie

C70 at the Bat

by Cardinal70 on Apr 7, 2008 5:42 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm shocked...

we had to wait until the 7th game for him to bat leadoff.

I wonder if Barton is in the doghouse already?

by DiscoJer on Apr 7, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

I wonder if in the 4th inning, Tony will remove Duncan

to get Skippy into the game.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Tony said it is because of mimute maid park

Tony said that Barton was not going to start the first game of the series in Huston due to the fact that Minute Maid park's left field is so wierd. He prefered he had a couple of chances to shag flies or something there. Take it for what it's worth.

by gonzostl on Apr 7, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Duncan owned Wandy Rodriguez at Houston last year...

that's why he is starting over Barton

...just a bit outside....

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 6:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

barton has more than gotten the job done so far this year

he will still get a fair amount of time, if he performs he will play

i hope

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Apr 7, 2008 6:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

This line-up is a joke ...

I can't believe LaRussa based his whole card on 3 AB from a year ago ... he likes to play his hunches ... we'll see how it turns out ... that's certainly no the line-up I would have trotted out there ... I hope he turns out to be a JEENIOUS ... Barton should be getting this start ...

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 7, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Imagine the voice of Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap ...

Is this joke? ... I'm sorry ... Is this joke? ....

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 7, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

seriously

this is the worst linup i have seen. Izturis leading off? Miles playing. Duncan in Left field. Jeez, we ware winning dont throw this crap out there.

by t7rick on Apr 7, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought

the whole point of a leadoff hitter was to get someone on base for Pujols. Guess I'm wrong.

Don't judge me!!!

by BigdJC on Apr 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

I am not of fan of today's lineup

Duncan is in the Lineup which means Skip/Barton aren't available to hit leadoff so Izturis has to be the guy. I'm not a Duncan fan as I think he's basically living on the half season before guys figured him out. Even people who like him have to be realistic and realize he shouldn't be in against lefties, especially when he's ice cold and Barton is red hot. I'd take Skip as well for his defense alone. I don't think Duncan is that bad, but I really want him off the team as having both him and his dad here is not a very good situation.

First post BTW, love the site.

by TheBirds on Apr 7, 2008 5:47 PM EDT 0 recs

Welcome to the site

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I disagree with your assessment. Duncan brings an OBP and power skill set to the plate that Skip just doesn't, as much as I like him (AAA Memphis comes to AAA Iowa twice a year and I've seen a lot of Skip). What's more, Duncan has evolved into a serviceable, albeit mediocre, defensive LF. Furthermore, Duncan had the best month of his MLB career the month before he got injured last year (his second-best month was April of last year):

April: .317/.378/.524/4 HR
July: .348/.459/.681/6 HR

He also drove in more runs with each passing month in '07, setting career highs for RBI in a month in both June (18) and July (21). Then, he got hurt and his production shows it. If Duncan is healthy, he should be in the lineup because he makes our offense that much more potent (especially given out power deficiency last year (25th in Slugging %, 24th in HR).

by bgh on Apr 7, 2008 6:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

The fact remains

that the most significant assessment of Duncan is .209/.275/.357 against LHPs in 129 career ABs with 45Ks. If he was totally healthy and in the regular rotation, then I could maybe see taking his very small sample success against WRod into account. Coming into tonight's game El Hombre was 1 for 10 against WRod, but I don't see him sitting.

It is not the best thing for either the team or the player for Duncan to be in the game tonight. He should be saved to PH against a RH reliever at a key moment. If you don't want to start Barton for whatever lame reason, then Schumaker should get the call.

Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...

by giveml on Apr 7, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Can it please stay 11:59 on Wellemeyer's watch

for one more start?

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 5:47 PM EDT 0 recs

We haven't had a 6 game winning streak since July

of 2006. That'd be nice.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 5:51 PM EDT 0 recs

DirecTv

Which channel is the Cardinal broadcast? How can I find out?

by Harknights on Apr 7, 2008 5:51 PM EDT 0 recs

Here ya go

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3160004

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

thanks

but todays just says 731...but my schedule has the Cards on both 730 and 731.

How things change. Now I am bitching because I don't know which channel to watch the Cards on. I remember in 87 being able to see the Cards on the Game of the week like once and of course the horror of the WGN and TBS games.

by Harknights on Apr 7, 2008 6:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

In case

you haven't figured it out yet...

730-1 is the Cards feed in HD

731-1 is the Astros feed in HD

"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver

by player2bnamedl8r on Apr 7, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Rock Chalk....

by tnek5 on Apr 7, 2008 6:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Big night for?...

I'm going to go with Troy Glaus....I think he's going to take one into the Crawford Boxes

by Timbo02 on Apr 7, 2008 6:21 PM EDT 0 recs

One? Try 3!!!!!!!!!

I wish :D

...just a bit outside....

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Albert!!

It's time for him to hit not one, but 2 home runs!!!

Of course, that means he'll actually have to see some pitches.

So I'll say Albert cranks #1 over the boxes...and then possibly gets a 2nd if people can get on in front of him.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Apr 7, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Odds of Pujols

hitting the grassy knoll? 25% Train 5% Water Cooler 3%

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 6:32 PM EDT 0 recs

I would say Glaus normally..

With a lefty on the mound and the chance for a pop-up to become a cheap HR, but Glaus is so cold right now.

I really dislike the distinct home field advantage the Astros have. The close the roof when they don't need to and they put a bunch of random confusing stuff in the outfield to mess up the team that isn't used to it.

by TheBirds on Apr 7, 2008 6:34 PM EDT 0 recs

Hahaha...

I just got this awesome mental image of the MMP Outfield being littered with random things, like a christmas tree, a fire hydrant , a wacky inflatable arm waving tube man....sweeet

...just a bit outside....

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

haha

now that would definitely be an advantage.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Apr 7, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Don't forget the Ferris wheel

by Nate811 on Apr 7, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks

You made me sputter out loud in the library. Got some weird looks.

by mojowo11 on Apr 7, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

Solid stuff.

Rooting on the Cardinals one off-season transaction at a time!

by ColinMacLeod on Apr 7, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

+800

That made me cry happiness.

Rasmus or bust.

by Zoop on Apr 7, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

The confusing stuff

in the outfield are playing for Houston. Every park has it's quirks. It just comes down to how well the pitcher's pitch.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Opening Day in Houston

anyone notice how dead it is?

by jjwp on Apr 7, 2008 6:44 PM EDT 0 recs

The Giants..

are in the market for a 1st baseman and have inquired about Nick Johnson from the Nat's...hmm....seems to me that Chris Duncan would be a good fit for them ....the question is who would they be willing to give up for him that would improve our club? Suggestions?

by Timbo02 on Apr 7, 2008 6:50 PM EDT 0 recs

check out the fan post on the right side of the page...

it's been discussed ad nauseum there

...just a bit outside....

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 6:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

my mistake..

didn't even see it over there...

by Timbo02 on Apr 7, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hey, did you guys hear

that the Giants are looking for a left-handed batting first basemen?

by effin fisk on Apr 7, 2008 6:56 PM EDT 0 recs

hey?...

I said it was my mistake man... relax

by Timbo02 on Apr 7, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm sorry

I really didn't mean it to be rude. I myself have brought it up no less than 3 times this week already.

I think everyone's having the same this-is-too-good-to-be-true reaction, salivating at the million-to-one chance that we could turn Duncan into one of San Fran's young starters. No offense intended.

by effin fisk on Apr 7, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up 0 recs