Anatomy of a Great Start
by chuckb on Apr 25, 2009 11:18 AM EDT
in St. Louis Cardinals News
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PrintRight now the offense leads the NL in runs scored, runs per game, hits, doubles, homers (tied), batting average, slugging, and OPS. They’re second in walks and OBP, and have the 4th fewest strikeouts in the NL. They’ve stolen 10 bases against only 2 caught stealings – very good considering how poorly the team fared in SB% last season. Unsurprisingly, Pujols leads the league in a number of offensive categories including slugging %, where Ludwick is #2. A team that bangs out 6.12 runs per game is going to be tough to beat.
On the pitching side, the news isn’t quite so rosy. Lohse has been outstanding and Wainwright was strong last night. Pineiro’s been pretty good. Franklin’s been terrific – 5 base runners in 8 innings. Many of us were concerned about McClellan entering the season but he’s been very good. Motte’s improving and Reyes has been fine. The pen, all in all, seems to be coming together, though Franklin’s track record tells us it’s not all going to be sunshine and flowers when he pitches. Despite Wellemeyer’s troubles, the ‘pen’s troubles, Carp’s injury, and the fact that P.J. Walters and Mitch Boggs have already thrown some important innings, the staff is holding its own. Our ERA is 3rd in the NL and we’ve given up the 6th fewest runs per game in the league. We’re leading the league in the fewest walks per game and are tied for the fewest homers per game. Anytime your staff can avoid walking people and can keep the ball in the ballpark, you’re going to win some games. It gives the team a lot more flexibility to give up singles if it takes 3 hits to score a run.
Defensively, we haven’t been quite as good as we have been in the other 2 areas. Our defensive efficiency is just .690 – 10th in the league – though we have had only 6 stolen base attempts against us – fewest in the NL. I suppose that’s going to happen when you’ve got an OF playing 2B, a 2B playing 3B, a DH playing LF, and a RF playing CF. As long as the team continues to score, the defensive issues won’t matter quite so much. But we know we’re not going to average more than 6 runs per game for the year. We know Lohse isn’t going to finish the season w/ a 2.50 ERA. There’s going to be some regression to the mean but I wouldn’t expect Ankiel to finish the season w/ a .306 OBP either. Still, you’ve gotta like what’s happening now. Let’s ride the wave as long as it lasts.
There’s a pretty good article over at fangraphs about prospects in the Texas League, including our very own Daryl Jones. If he keeps this up, that outfield’s going to get really crowded really quickly.
Everyone probably knows by now that Lohse is OK and intends to make his next start Tuesday. It goes w/o saying that that’s fantastic news.
I’ll be back in a few hours w/ a game thread. Another day game. Another lefty. It’s been standard fare for the 1st 17 games – and still we’re 12-5. Not bad, huh?
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6.12
Serious.
(……..sorry.)
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 25, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Nice start so far.....
And to think, with a little luck, or some better pen innings, we could be a couple of games better.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
Keep it going!
I’m impressed by the way we’ve been playing so far. I think the biggest improvement has been the removals of the easy outs in our lineup. We’ve replaced Izturis and Kennedy with Greene (whose plate discipline so far has been outstanding) and another outfielder (Duncan or Rasmus). To add to that, I don’t think Lohse is going to regress to what he used to be. He has the stuff to succeed and Duncan has shown him how to succeed by pounding the strike zone and mixing his pitches. I feel he can easily win 15-17 games this year and eat a lot of innings in the process. And what has got into Ryan Franklin!!!
re: Lohse
I agree with you, he won’t regress fully. But right now his numbers are borderline Cy Young quality.
He’s given up 1 HR in 26 innings (career 1 HR every ~8 innings), his K/BB is ~ 3 (career, 2 K/BB), and his WHIP is 0.9 (career, 1.40).
So I think we’ll see some regression, but as you kind of imply, hopefully a decent amount of improvement as well…
Kind of overall, I think it will be interesting to see what “early season” stats end up sticking. Lohse’s stats are definitely one to be interested in, but also things like Yadi/Greene’s new found plate discipline, Ank’s struggles, etc.
by duncans_army on Apr 25, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I also agree with you..
I don’t expect Lohse to ever win a Cy Young, but sometimes I feel like people expect him to regress to an average starter like he was before he came to St. Louis. I feel he is going to be a solid #2-3 starter for the Cards for at least 2-3 years of the contract we gave him.
shockingly I think TLR had a point
The blowouts are great, but I want to see us win different kinds of games before I sit easy. Come from behinds, bullpen-stressors, pitcher’s duels, ones where the superstars sit, against hot teams, and against the Buccos (heh). We’ve had a good sampling of all of that, true.
I feel good about the tools at the Cards’ disposal — the thing is, lots of other teams feel the same way. When the tools are squared away, and they seem to be, how a team deals with adversity will say a lot more about how they fare down the stretch … or winning certain series. (Actually am a little leery of all the national media coverage of Albert; nothing off-the-field will hurt this team more than Expectations.)
That said, what great baseball. This season has been a gift so far.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Wainwright not getting the win was all Tonys fault.
I mean what was he thinking playing a 2B MIF in LF?
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
I think I detect some sarcasm,
However, I’m wondering if Tony has thought about subbing Rasmus into the OF when he wants a defensive replacement for Dunc. I know that means you’re using up an extra bench guy (and that’s tough carrying 13 pitchers right now), but Rasmus is probably your best defensive outfielder anyway. Maybe leave Skip at second and just sub Rasmus in for Duncan.
I’m not sure how fair it is to Skip to have him working so hard to become a serviceable second baseman, and then telling him, “oh yeah, you’ll still have to play outfield for two or three innings every couple games.” I can see how Skip’s rhythm (for lack of a better word) in the outfield would be a little messed up.
The thought that I have is that the season is over. And that everybody in the game; a fan, a coach, a player, a manager, front office, scouts...surrender. They say, "that's enough," especially after a game like this. But then Christmas comes, New Years, contracts are signed, trades are made, free agents are signed; and then baseball, like the rose beneath the April snow will force it's way to the front again. And we'll have the fever once more.
-Jack
I agree...but
I do agree that it may be best for Schu just to stick at second and not be moved to LF for late game defensive adjustments.
But last night was not a good example for saying that TLR did something wrong or messed up. Schu should have caught that ball even if he had never played OF in his entire career. Anyone who has played little league baseball before should have caught the ball Schu dropped. Juan Encarnacion (today’s version) could have caught that ball. Schu just dropped the ball, as even the very best OF’s sometimes do, but that drop was all on Schu, not on TLR.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 25, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh no, I totally agree with you
I don’t really think TLR was in the wrong, and that was definitely a routine popup. I just wonder if Raz isn’t the better long term solution as a defensive replacement this season when he’s not starting.
And for the love of God, can we get these guys to use two hands when they’re catching the ball. Ankiel seems to be the only one of our outfielders who does it with any consistency. Not only does it help with holding onto the ball, but it squares the body up to the ball and puts the OFer in a better position to get the ball back into the IF quicker with the throw. Or, at least, that’s my opinion.
The thought that I have is that the season is over. And that everybody in the game; a fan, a coach, a player, a manager, front office, scouts...surrender. They say, "that's enough," especially after a game like this. But then Christmas comes, New Years, contracts are signed, trades are made, free agents are signed; and then baseball, like the rose beneath the April snow will force it's way to the front again. And we'll have the fever once more.
-Jack
Obviously Schu dropping the ball isn't TLRs fault
It’s the flyballs into the gap that Rasmus glides to that Schumaker doesn’t catch that are TLR’s fault.
Not afraid to nitpick
Schumaker is under a lot of pressure right now
mainly in his own head it seems (just look at how he reacts even on missing the toughest plays at 2B, he is doing great for the most part). to move him into the outfield is kind of messing with his head I think, since he is still learning second base on the fly. then when he goes to the outfield and the pace of the game is totally different, his timing is going to be off and he won’t always be perfect. I think there’s a reason people specialize in a certain position.
4B - beer baseball bands blog
the thrill is still ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hot
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 25, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes I was being sarcastic.
I think Schu is doing a great job and should have stuck at 2B or gone to the bench.
The more and more I see of him at 2B the more he looks like a 2B.
Any stat guys out there got a good read on Shcu’s D so far?
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
I agree.
I don’t have any stats to back me up, but he looks like he’s making the adjustment pretty well.
The thought that I have is that the season is over. And that everybody in the game; a fan, a coach, a player, a manager, front office, scouts...surrender. They say, "that's enough," especially after a game like this. But then Christmas comes, New Years, contracts are signed, trades are made, free agents are signed; and then baseball, like the rose beneath the April snow will force it's way to the front again. And we'll have the fever once more.
-Jack
the numbers look pretty bad
he is on a pace to be almost -30 runs at second base. But that’ll trend upwards, soon. I hope.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
he used a bench guy in barden anyway
why not keep skip at 2b and put rasmus in LF that gives you barden on the bench still
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
TLR managing differently?
It has always seemed to me that at the beginning of each season, TLR manages as if the games don’t count as much as they do at the end of the season. I only have anecdotal evidence for this, but it’s like he’ll leave pitchers in for too long, or stick with a reliever even when he’s underperforming. But it feels right now like TLR is managing every game like it’s the 2006 NLCS, and that is exciting as hell—it makes every game actually feel like it’s the playoffs, and it’s trickling down to the players’ performances.
"When all's been said and done, I can say that all has been said and done."
-Steve "Lips" Kudlow, of Anvil
I agree
it seems like the early season is his R&D period, sort of a like an extending spring training. I sort of disagree though, if he were managing like it was the playoffs, he would never pinch hit brendan ryan before pinch hitting ryan ludwick ;0)
4B - beer baseball bands blog
the thrill is still ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hot
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 25, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey azru...
I saw on Future Redbirds you went to the fight last night? Any chance of getting some details (I’ve wanted to go the past two years, but it’s always scheduled at the same time my school is wrapping up)?
It was pretty awesome (SPOILERS AHEAD). We missed the first undercard fight. The first fight we got there for were two welterweight fighters (IIRC) and it was a split decision. I’ve never seen anyone use the flicking back fist so much as the guy who one. It was jab-jab flick, jab-jab flick and then hook. But it was neat.
They had some heavyweights fight after that and they both fought dirty. Kidney shots in the clinch, hooks as the ref comes to separate them. The guy that lost just couldn’t breathe anymore from all the bodyshots (and I think his nose was broken during the match too.
There were a couple boring matches (I went and got food) and then a super lightweight match where one of the fighters just ducked into a right hook and absolutely ate the punch. He was KO’d after 23 seconds. The crowd went wild. It was really electric.
The two premiere fights were good as well. Alexander wasn’t as fast as he was billed. My friend (who bought the tickets and really loves boxing) was talking about that fight all week and he almost lost to Jesus Rodriguez. In like the 8th round, Rodriguez basically pussed out* and took a knee saying he couldn’t go on.
The Spinks-Latimore fight was awesome. Latimore was throwing BOMBS for the first four rounds and he rocked Spinks 2-3 times earning a knockdown once. Spinks was obviously the better conditioned and more experienced of the two as the match wore on. He didn’t block punches so much as constantly dodging and weaving and stepping back. In the 11th round, Latimore got rocked but they called it a slip (even though his legs obviously went rigid and he just kinda fell backwards). It was a really close match (Spinks one by a split decision 115-113, 113-115, 114-113 — I had it 114-113) but you can tell that Spinks is getting older and if Latimore had pushed more in the first few rounds I think he could have finished Spinks off.
*I would have pussed out in round 1.
Thanks
Sounds like it was a great fight to go to. I was really close to blowing off some responsibilities and going last year and I’m glad I didn’t because I heard Spinks was aweful. Glad to hear they put on a show this time.
Well, you managed to make it sound interesting to me
and I’m somebody who doesn’t like boxing at all.
I'm going to be doing a lot of boxing tomorrow
gotta move!
4B - beer baseball bands blog
the thrill is still ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hot
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 26, 2009 5:20 AM EDT up reply actions
One also assumes
Spinks one by a split decision=Spinks won by a split decision?
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Apr 25, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
sigh
i apologize to english teachers everywhere
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
I see a ?
also, use the REPLY button… its amazing.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Apr 25, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I meant to say there should not be a ? at the end of the 1st sentence
It ’s been a long week.
Let me be the first (of probably many)
Fox showing Yanks-Red Sox here in Nashville, again. Why even bother scheduling a second game? Fox knows everybody loves the Yanks and Red Sox, right?
So I’ll be resigned to using my “interactive” Gameday audio. It’s interactive because I have to sit at the computer and wait for the signal to drop out every inning or two so I can restart it.
The cat is fine, thank you.
shockingly,
fox austin is showing the cards game. i was sure they’d show a boring yankees game in lieu of a cards/cubs nail biter like last week. so, i get lucky and can watch the game in HD. but remember folks, myP2P.eu is you friend. quality is bad, but it’s certainly better than gameday. (don’t see how you guys get by with just gameday)
by prophetjohn on Apr 25, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
there is a way
to play tvants files with vlc media player (which is mac compatible), though i don’t know how to do it. i trie it once when i just learning tvants and couldn’t get it to work.
I was shocked...
that we’re getting Cubs-Cards in Knoxville for the 2nd Saturday in a row, especially with the Yankees-Red Sox going. Memphis is of course getting Cubs-Cards as well, so apparently Fox just decided that Middle Tennessee needed to be punished…
Here in Pueblo, Colorado
an NL state, Fox is showing the Yanks-Red Sox, while the WWL tomorrow is showing…..(wait for it)…..the Yanks-Red Sox. Totally stinks.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Apr 25, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I would not go so far as to say
that Lohse is “OK.” There is a large gap between “able to pitch, i.e., not significantly injured” and “should pitch and will do it with 100% effectiveness and without increased risk of re-injury” — the latter of which is the only thing that should count as “OK.” When the swelling in his knee goes down to the point where he’s sure his mechanics won’t be altered, then, and only then, will I breathe a sigh of relief.
Lohse's long term health
I certainly wouldn’t mind if they had Kyle sit out from his next start just as a precautionary measure. His long term health is much more important than a single game, especially with the contract the team just gave him this last year. I don’t want him to be favoring his knee, which messes up his mechanics and causes arm problems. We can’t have another pitcher signed long term spending all his time on the DL.
The thought that I have is that the season is over. And that everybody in the game; a fan, a coach, a player, a manager, front office, scouts...surrender. They say, "that's enough," especially after a game like this. But then Christmas comes, New Years, contracts are signed, trades are made, free agents are signed; and then baseball, like the rose beneath the April snow will force it's way to the front again. And we'll have the fever once more.
-Jack
Amen. But I really can't complain
can I? This is what I get for living on the east coast. A parade of self-importance that must, by necessity and the jackals in bristol, eclipse all sporting events world wide.
aw, meant to put the up to Inthe's
comment. For me, the biggest regression question is Franklin. It’s only a matter of time before Loshe comes down to earth and Ankiel (hopefully) improves. Other than that, I still sweat in the 8th and 9th of every game so far… it would be nice to see some consistency out of Perez or Motte to prop up Franklin. Other than that, I can’t see any bad here, and am happy to see that the Luddy fluke of 08 isn’t.
by Oedipa Maas on Apr 25, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
OT: I just checked out (from the library)
The Crying of Lot 49. I’ve meant to read it for a while now, so I’m psyched. Captain Obvious says: I suppose you’re a fan?
by santiagofish on Apr 25, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Why?
You one of those right wing nut outfits? Sorry. Pynchon is a favorite. I like GR better, but 49 is a fine work to start with.
I've read 1.5 pages of Pynchon, total,
so I don’t even know how to process your “right wing nut” comment. Could be ironic, could be straight, I have no idea. But no no no, I’m not a nut, right-wing or otherwise.
I only mentioned Lot 49 because of your screen name. Harold Bloom, I’ve read, thinks Oedipa Maas is one of the best characters in all of 20th-century fiction. I’m psyched to see if I agree.
To go even further off topic: I’ve been on this “experimental fiction” kick lately, trying to make up for lost time. I just finished Delillo’s Underworld (btw, I’ve never, ever read better descriptions of sports crowds than in the first 60 pages of that book, which (the first 60 pages) is about Bobby Thomson’s Shot Heard Round the World—really, I’d recommend it to any baseball fan—just read the first chapter, please!) and am now reading Wittgenstein’s Mistress, by some David Foster Wallace-approved author named Markson. It is spectacular.
(Ah, and now I realize you’re probably referring to my checking out a book from the library. Um, I’m hungover, and slow, very slow this morning…)
by santiagofish on Apr 25, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
yea, I thought
after typing that wasn’t the best idea since you just picked up the book. it’s a quote. And yes, I think OM is one of the greatest female characters of all time. I’ve never read Wittgenstein’s Mistress, but I’ve heard good things. How is it so far? I liked Underworld, but I have to say that White Noise is still easily Delilo’s best book, IMHO. Geez, I’m getting seriously off topic.
I tried to bring it back to baseball-centricity, a little bit,
with my Thomson comment. Ah well.
White Noise is great, too. That’s the other Delillo I’ve read. If I started a band, it might be called The Airborne Toxic Event. [edit: I just checked, and there is already a band with this name!]
This Markson book is fantastic. The style is unlike anything I’ve ever read, bone-dry and stream-of-conciousness-y, but not obnoxiously so. And the book itself is sorta high concept but completely unpretentious. It’s not long, either. I’m loving it so far.
And hey! Go Cards!!
by santiagofish on Apr 25, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
is the title an homage to
anatomy of a murder – the jimmy stewart movie. That’s one of my favorite old movies.
by Toddius on Apr 25, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yanks-Sawx
Of course my favorite games are Cards-Cubs. But if you’re a baseball fan, the Yanks-Red Sox is good to watch. That game last night was fantastic.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 25, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions
oh
It was a great game. I’m still not convinced Joba wouldn’t be better for the yanks outta the pen. I just… would like a variety in viewing. But, you know, Shannon and Gameday isn’t a bad way to go.
by Oedipa Maas on Apr 25, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
When does FOX's contract with MLB expire?
I’m going to do an Ozzie Smith backflip on that day. That blackout rule is the dumbest thing ever conceived of. Go to hell FOX.
by cloistermaximus on Apr 25, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions
Haha...
Yes it was. I went back in an old game thread played with some test posts and figured it out. Thanks…
What I don't understand in this HD world
Is why both games can’t be shown at the same time? Why should I have to choose between NY vs BOS and STL vs CHI when they could play both. During the Olympics NBC showed multiple events live at the same time. HD has multiple channels on the same network. Like 5.1, 5.2, 5.3. Wouldn’t it be grand to see one game on 2.1 and the other game on 2.2?
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
FOX (or MLB) can't do what is best for the fan!
C’mon man, you should know that by now.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
but it would be best for FOX *AND* best for the fans
that’s what is so ridiculous about it.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
it's probably because of the contract with mlb
not because of fox
whatever it is, it is crazy
viewership would, without a doubt,increase if they did broadcasts the way FlimtotheFlam suggested. MLB has some crazy reasoning behind what they do, but I can’t believe wanting to shrink your potential audience would be one of them.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Lowe just drilled Joey Votto...
which definitely appeared to be retribution for Volquez hitting Escobar last night. I’m sure Dusty will see the score as settled and move on, right? I’d say no, since putting Braves on base by HBP just clogs up the basepaths and works to his advantage anyway…
greene
Chuck Norris doesn't need a bat.
he just roundhouse kicks the ball out of the park.
by bearcatcardfan on Apr 25, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
btw has that dishonest "$5 footlong -- any!" campaign
completely turned anyone else off from going to subway?
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
and it's not ANY
they specifically advertise “ANY footlong” for $5, in their commercials, and then you get there and there’s only 3 or 4 out of 15+ on the menu that are $5. That is as dishonest as it gets. I don’t care if the put an asterisk in size 6 font saying (any regular) down at the bottom to make it legal, it’s still dishonest.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
Reds just drilled Escobar AGAIN...
Dusty already got tossed for arguing balls and strikes. This one could get interesting…
Lineups
Ryan 2B
Rasmus CF
Pujols 1B
Ludwick RF
Molina C
Duncan LF
Greene SS
Barden 3B
Boggs P
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
Not sure who else you put there
Barden maybe? Not enough speed and too much power to bat leadoff…
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
That's true...
but Ryan is painful to watch in that spot. Rasmus maybe? Move Ryan to #8 and Barden to #2…
Ryan is a better lead off guy than Barden
Ryan OBP this year is .393 with a 11.5% BB rate
Barden OBP this year is .419 with a 6.7% BB rate
Even though Barden has a higher OBP he has a much lower BB rate which means his OBP is more driven by his batting average which has a much higher chance of variance compared to someone with substantially higher walk rate such as Ryan
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I prefer Rasmus be number 2
I want the guy with the best walk rate in front of Pujols to maximize the chances that he gets on in front of Pujols. If he is leading off the #2 hitter has the possibility of getting the final out in front of Pujols. So I think the person with the best walk rate (besides Pujols) should be hitting in front of him.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Ideally yes
but I just don’t feel comfortable putting the young kid in the leadoff spot. Batting leadoff is a different challenge. Just keep him in the 2 hole where he’s having success.
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
hes used to batting leadoff
i think not batting leadoff might be more of a challenge
or slur it
but duncan would be the better get on base option and has a history of doing well in the 2 spot
Since recieving those Bill James Daily match-ups these lineups become predictable
Ryan vs Marshall 3 for 9, 1 hr
Barden 2 for 2
Duncan 2 for 3 1 hr
Skip 0 for 4
Altthoufg by that logic Greene would sit (0 for 8, 4K). But then again, he’s a righty….
there's nothing wrong with
power in the 1 hole and there’s nothing that says you have to have speed there. There is something wrong w/ having a guy who can’t get on base in the 1 hole, however.
by chuckb on Apr 25, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Speed at the top
power at the bottom. Basic principles of a lineup.
Ryan can get on base. I don’t understand all the jabs at him
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
But he is doing much better this year
He has a different approach than he has in the past. He is walking at a 11.5 % clip but Striking Out at much higher rate than normal 21.7 %. Normally when I see a player with a good BB clip and increasing K rate in means he is becoming more patient but also taking longer swings.
Which shows his large increase in power this year
Slugging last 3 years
2009 – .435
2008 – .289
2007 – .406
ISO
2009 – .130
2008 – .046
2007 – .117
Which one is the real Brendan Ryan?
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
lets see what he does over a larger period of time
the sample size at this point is way too small…
hell at this time last year we had people arguing that iz2 had turned the corner and improved his offense, how did that turn out
Ryans track record shows a inability to hit better than Iz2. Can he improve, i sure hope so but lets not get away w/ ourselves yet based on 23 ABs and 29 PAs
Yep. He has been better this year.
Yes it’s early.. VERY early. But one gripe I have about career statistics is that they discount the fact that maybe, just maybe BR worked his tail off this off-season and will have a great season.
I argued for 3 years that Skip had the ability to be a .300 hitter in the bigs and got a lot of crap for it just because his minor league stats said that was basically impossible. He proved me right last season.
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
Small sample size dude
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 25, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
that's what joe morgan tells us
but it’s wrong.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
by SleepyCA on Apr 25, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That is how I see it
Whoever has the best ability to get on base in the #1 and #2 hole for our #3, 4, and 5 hitters. With that being said Brendan Ryan’s OBP this year so far is .393 with a 11.5% walk rate. I am not sure if people are aware of Brendan Ryan’s line this year, .304/.393/.435/.828
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Cubs
Theriot SS
Fukudome RF
Soriano LF
Lee 1B
Fontenot 3B
Johnson CF
Soto C
Miles 2B
Marshall P
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
Cubs bench is very thin today
Hill, Gathwright, and Hoffpauir. Hill likely own’t be used because he’s the backup catcher.
Cubs are reeling.. let’s sweep!
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
The only report I've heard
is that he woke up today feeling no worse but no better.
Marmol is also out for the rest of the series. They are looking for him to return sometime midweek.
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
Seriously... what were Rich Harden's parents thinking?!?!?!
Did they ever say what happened to Marmol?
Testicle-exploding shit storm, circa 7/12/08 - We will never forget!
I think the Cubs lineup changes
are pretty interesting. I’m curious to see if Soriano starts complaining about not hitting 1st, regardless of how well he does.
It’s also interesting that Theriot has started right where he left off last year, hitting wise.
I know I'll be in the minority...
But does anyone else share by hatred for the NFL Draft? I don’t think there’s a more media-saturated sports “event” that turns me off more…
It is mind blowing slow and boring
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel like they've been previewing it for about two months now
I could not possibly care less. Thank goodness for MLB Network.
That is my main issue...
You hit the nail on the head. The length and amount of coverage is beyond absurd…
just give me the results
spare me the draft
4B - beer baseball bands blog
the thrill is still ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hot
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 26, 2009 5:29 AM EDT up reply actions
ha!
watching an MLB channel highlight film of the 81 world series….Dusty Baker the player is arguing an ump ruling even then. Go figure!
mel
Before the game begins...
Looks like I’m going to see a Springfield game next Saturday (@Tulsa). I know Jones and Wallace are the two biggest prospects on the SCards this year. Who else should I be sure to watch if they get in? Anybody have an idea from Springfield’s normal rotation who should be starting that night?
descalso
is off to a good start, has some believers within the org. steven hill could be the next mike jacobs, if that qualifies him as someone to keep an eye on. tyler henley could be a useful, if not above average player at some point, and rapaport might see some time as a fourth outfielder eventually. On the pitching side things are thin, very thin, with herron’s status fading rapidly, a few bull pen arms that are hard throwers and not much else.
HE SAID WITH A SMIRK
tv-ants for today's game
http://www.fromsport.com/?p=6145
“brewcrew TVants” seems to be yanks-red sox, but AC tv is the good guys.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
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