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Game 101 Open Thread -- July 21, 2008

Adam1_tiny by chuckb on in News

The Brewers began the year as the only other team in the majors batting the pitcher 8th but have since changed their minds, moving Jason Kendall and his sterling 76 OPS+ to the 8 hole and the pitcher back to the bottom. The team is right behind the Cards offensively – averaging 4.73 runs per game to the Cards 4.78. They’ve been a little better at home on offense while the Cards have been much better on the road. I guess we should expect more offense if this were being played in Miller Park, huh?

Like the Cards, the Brewers have had some troubles on the mound. Presently, they’re again just behind the Cards, yielding 4.46 runs per game to the Cards 4.45. Their bullpen ERA is 4.20, just ahead of the Cards’ 4.21 which put the two teams at 10th and 11th in the NL, respectively. The Brewers Defensive Efficiency Ratio is .697 to the Cards’ .698. They’re 1 game behind in the standings (even in the loss column) and their Pythagorean record is 51-47 to the Cards’ 53-47 – again, even in the loss column. Both teams are exactly 4 games better than their Pythagorean records say they should be. Sounds like two extremely evenly matched teams.

Historically, this has been a team that has struggled away from home but their 24-26 record so far this year is 4th best in the NL. The Cards are 30-21 at home (and are, incidentally 27-22 – best in the NL on the road).

Tonight’s starter for the Brew Crew is Seth McClung – a guy who’s become one of two pawns in the Brewers' Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde experiment.  They are platooning starting pitchers -- starting Dave Bush at home and McClung on the road.  Bush has been awful on the road and solid at home while the reverse is true for McClung.  This experiment is based, partly, on McClung's 40 whole innings in Milwaukee and 35.2 innings on the road.  Uhhh...small sample size anyone?  Maybe it's based more on Bush's splits who, at least, has a pretty sizable home/road split for his career -- involving 390 and 345 innings, respectively. 

McClung does walk too many and has given up too many homers but has struck out 7.7 per 9 IP. His GB% of 40.2% is low and very similar to his career numbers. If it’s warm tonight, the Cards could get some balls in the seats. Tomorrow it’ll be Suppan and then their big boys, Sabathia and Sheets. And, in case you missed it, the Brewers have a new man at the keystone to go along w/ their new ace as they added Ray Durham yesterday. Let’s win this one, boys. The pitching matchups only get tougher from here.

mcclung

pineiro

5-5, 4.16

3-4, 4.52

P.S. There is, apparently, no picture of Seth McClung on file -- thus, the X. I mean this as no intentional slight towards Mr. McClung and will take full responsibility should this insult lead to a Brewers' wipeout of the Cards tonight. Please Cards and (gulp!) Mr. Pineiro! Please bail me out!!!!

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Go Cardinals!

by pujols05 on Jul 21, 2008 6:45 PM EDT   0 recs

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 21, 2008 6:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Why

did you white out the picture (sarcasim)

Cubs blow

by Where is that Juan guy on Jul 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lineups per Gameday

MIL

Weeks 2B
Hardy SS
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
Hart RF
Hall 3B
Cameron CF
Kendall C
McClung P

STL

Schumaker RF
Miles 2B
Pujols 1B
Ankiel CF
Glaus 3B
Duncan LF
Molina C
Pineiro P
Izturis SS

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 6:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Sweet!

McClung is my 4th cousin. Let’s beat him!

by KeepOnRolen on Jul 21, 2008 6:54 PM EDT   0 recs

When's the last time you saw him?

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 6:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Only met him twice.

3-4 years ago at his family’s ranch in West Virginia

by KeepOnRolen on Jul 21, 2008 6:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I used to live in WV

Charleson, to be exact. I wouldnt have figured there to be much ranch land in WV

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 7:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

4th Cousin

Hey, how are you Seths cousin? I know him very well.

by RUSHPREZ on Jul 21, 2008 10:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

anyone know if

The Cubs game will be on WGN tonight?

by pujols05 on Jul 21, 2008 6:54 PM EDT   0 recs

Doesn't appear that way

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 6:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

good evening

biggest series of the year. let’s do it!

by stlcardinalsfang on Jul 21, 2008 7:03 PM EDT   0 recs

biggest series on the year

so far…...

/simpsons movie

by FunkeeC on Jul 21, 2008 7:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

well played

e'rebuilding mang

by nycbirdo on Jul 21, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Just seen on FSMW feed...

Ryan Braun is the #1 Cardinals killer this year at .485. Let’s pitch to him with nobody on 3 times tonight and that’s it!

by stlfan on Jul 21, 2008 7:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Usually

I can love playing the likes of the Reds, Brewers, and Pirates,

But man, its seems like I have angst everytime we play someone from our division.

Cubs blow

by Where is that Juan guy on Jul 21, 2008 7:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wait wait

is EA on ESPN tonight?

by stlcardinalsfang on Jul 21, 2008 7:07 PM EDT   0 recs

doubtful

i haven’t seen her to a fly over state monday night game in a while

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

just kidding...

(or just figured it out.)

by stlfan on Jul 21, 2008 7:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

EA

erin andrews.

by stlcardinalsfang on Jul 21, 2008 7:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

got a question for you guys

Are Tom and Matt Pagnozzi related?

by pujols05 on Jul 21, 2008 7:08 PM EDT   0 recs

slightly OT

Tommy Herr’s son plays for the Reds’ AAA team in Louisville… an infielder, but shorter and heavier than dad, and not as talented.

by the Tewk on Jul 21, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

he was

a springfield card a couple years ago

"I wouldn’t have seen it if I hadn’t believed it.’" ~Shannon

by sprfldcard on Jul 21, 2008 8:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

whose doing the game on ESPN?

i figure it’s steve phillips so i didn’t even bother to look.

by stlcardinalsfang on Jul 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

yeah

or orel (sp?)

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

and orel

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 21, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

him along with hershiser & oneil

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

can't stand any of 'em

thank god i can still have my dan and al in HD

by stlcardinalsfang on Jul 21, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah

that’s so much better

strikeouts from left-center

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 21, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wow

total flop by skippy.

by stlcardinalsfang on Jul 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Yuck

Not pretty Schu

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

dude is fast

seriously

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Let Iz2 take care of him

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

or get him to ground out

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 21, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

sure,

my dad always told me i had the perfect face for radio

big prince is down 0-2

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure...

First pitch flyout by Weeks. Double to left by Hardy. Ground out to short by Braun. Fielder at 1-2 right now.

by stlfan on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

3 yadis = 2 princes?

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 21, 2008 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

huh

no. I dont care if prince fat ass is veggan he is still huge

Cubs blow

by Where is that Juan guy on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

just shows

that heredity is just as much or more apt to determine the body type of someone

strikeouts from left-center

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 21, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

now i have the spin doctors in my head.

thanks very much.

e'rebuilding mang

by nycbirdo on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

if you, want to call me baby

just go ahead now

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No People in the Seats!

I know it’s an early start and all…but c’mon St. Louis. Show up early after the walk-off grand salami by GRIT yesterday.

by stlfan on Jul 21, 2008 7:12 PM EDT   0 recs

it's 120 degrees outside

cut em a little slack

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

im in houston and I teed off at 1:30 today

they should be in the seats – but no sports franchise is worse about that than our rockets.

by rlgosnell on Jul 21, 2008 7:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

well down in HTown dont you get a breeze off the gulf?

i’m also curious, do you have the humidity that the STL has? i always thought texas had more of a dry heat humidity wise

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

houston is 95-100 and 100% humidity from may to september

no theres no breeze. we’re 40 miles from the gulf and theres so much damn concrete everywhere that it fries the air if there is.

by rlgosnell on Jul 21, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Reason #234893475

I would never live in Houston

"It's such a beautiful sport, with no politics involved, no color, no class. Only as a youngster can you play and as a pro can you win. The game has kept me young, involved and excited and for me to be up here with gems of baseball"- Jack Buck

by CurtainCall on Jul 21, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

mlb.tv you mean?

the answer is yes

e'rebuilding mang

by nycbirdo on Jul 21, 2008 7:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

er, at least in nyc.

should probably qualify that.

e'rebuilding mang

by nycbirdo on Jul 21, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

javascript:launchGameday({gid:’2008_07_21_milmlb_slnmlb_1’,mode:’gameday’})

by pujols05 on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM EDT   0 recs

espnhd or fsn with hrabosky and dan-o

hd just looks so spectacular…

by rlgosnell on Jul 21, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

2-2 to big prince

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

CB Buckner

Is horrible. Good calls on Fielder there…they were balls…but overall…horrible. (sorry for the ellipses).

by stlfan on Jul 21, 2008 7:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ball 3 was clearly a ball

it was on the white of the RH batters box

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jul 21, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Got through Braun and Fielder once

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jul 21, 2008 7:16 PM EDT   0 recs

big price grounds out to Mini me

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kic