First Half Pitching
by chuckb on Jul 11, 2009 11:02 AM EDT
in St. Louis Cardinals News
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PrintBelow is a list of all the teams in the majors who have 3 starters who are 20 or more runs above replacement level at this point in the season.
- Red Sox (Lester, Beckett, Wakefield)
- White Sox (Floyd, Danks, Buehrle)
- Cardinals (Pineiro, Carpenter, Wainwright)
So let’s compare the Cards’ starters w/ the other teams in the NL Central.
| Cards | RAR | Brewers | RAR | Cubs | RAR | Reds | RAR | Astros | RAR | Pirates | RAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pineiro | 27.7 | Gallardo | 16.7 | Lilly | 18.6 | Harang | 16.9 | Rodriguez | 19.4 | Maholm | 20.0 |
| Carp | 22.7 | Parra | 4.5 | Zambrano | 16.2 | Cueto | 11.3 | Oswalt | 17.9 | Duke | 15.6 |
| Wainwright | 20.5 | Suppan | 1.8 | Wells | 15.8 | Volquez | 2.6 | Hampton | 8.9 | Snell | 5.9 |
| Lohse | 7.0 | Looper | -3.6 | Dempster | 13.4 | Owings | -0.5 | Ortiz | 4.9 | Ohlendorf | 5.4 |
| Wellemeyer | 0.3 | Bush | -3.7 | Harden | 3.2 | Arroyo | -2.0 | Moehler | 0.3 | Morton | 4.3 |
The totals for the teams’ 5 starters are as follows:
- Cards – 78.2 RAR
- Cubs – 67.2 RAR
- Astros – 51.4 RAR
- Pirates – 51.2 RAR
- Reds – 28.3 RAR
- Brewers – 15.7 RAR
Pitching’s going to play a huge role in who wins the division and, even w/ Dempster’s injury, the Cubs are still scary. We saw last summer what Harden can do, despite his problems last night and, really, throughout the first half. They’re going to be tough. But you have to like where the Cards stand w/ just 3 games to go before the All-Star break.
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Thompson
is going today, I believe…although I can see how you’d think it was Wellemeyer.
"Fortune favors the bold!" - Virgil
by player2bnamedl8r on Jul 11, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions
also
if we are editing this morning… Piniero pitched Thursday afternoon not Wednesday.
gonna need more franklins to get through this one.
by hoofhearted-pujols on Jul 11, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
No worries...
We knew what/who you meant…
"Fortune favors the bold!" - Virgil
by player2bnamedl8r on Jul 11, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Thompson vs. Wellemeyer
Personally, I prefer Thompson over Wellemeyer. And that’s not a vote of confidence in Thompson, more a reflection of how I feel about Wellemeyer. I just think Thompson gives the team a better chance to win, but that’s strictly my opinion.
Also, whether it’s Thompson or Wellemeyer, I actually like either of them going today against Lilly. Lilly is easily the cubs best pitcher right now (not to mention he’s a lefty) so I’d think this is the cubs best (and possibly only) chance to win a game this series and I’d hate to send Wainwright or Lohse against him and waste a good performance then have to turn to Welley or Thompson against one of their lesser starters.
But that’s just me thinkin’ out loud about the matchups.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
totally agree
I feel we have very little chance to win today, considering how Lilly has been pitching, and how poorly we hit lefties
Nasty like Nas, Batman combined with Method Man
G. Rap hydraulics, supersonics call me Shark Man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 11, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
lilly has never faced hoffpauir before. that changes everything.
by greenback06 on Jul 11, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Hoff is winning ROY
I’m sticking with this
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I worry more about the hitting.....
Than the pitching in the 2nd half.
I expect the same from Carp and Waino.
JP might regress some, but I expect better from Lohse, and Welly/Joe Replacement, can’t be any worse. Obviously we need for Franklin to keep it up.
Seems like every time this team goes on a streak, it’s b/c the hitting has come around. With Raz hot, and Luddy finally hitting the ball well, we are a MUCH better team. Sure would be nice to have Ank hitting the ball at even an average clip.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
As far as the offene.
I’d like to think it’s going to get better.
Pujols will hit and so will Molina. Ludwick seems to have come around lately and Rasmus (who might see a slump here and there) will probably end the season hitting between .270 and .280 or so which is fine, just fine.
Then you have to at least hope DeRosa’s back in a couple of weeks and his addition makes the lineup better no matter what. I don’t have a lot of faith in Ank or Dunc helping much but that’s one of our only soft spots I see especially if Boog keeps swinging a decent bat and Skip just does what he’s done this year and last which I think is totally reasonable.
I don’t think we’re going to see a lot of power outside of Pujols, Rasmus, and Ludwick (then again, Pujols is hitting enough for two guys right now) but I think this team can run the bases well enough and get on base enough to score sufficient runs for our pitching.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Don't forget Glaus!
He’ll be back in three weeks!!!
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
That's like adding an All-Star!
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
You know, it really is...
"Fortune favors the bold!" - Virgil
by player2bnamedl8r on Jul 11, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
If DeRosa is back and producing in three weeks I'll listen to Lady Gaga for 72 hours straight
Not afraid to nitpick
wow.
that’s laying it all on the line, man. not even kidding. dangerous wager.
cardinals are the things with feathers that perch within the soul.
very, very dangerous
Nasty like Nas, Batman combined with Method Man
G. Rap hydraulics, supersonics call me Shark Man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
joker's got a hell of a poker face
It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan
I like our chances to hit a little better too
.287 BABIP can rise pretty easily, and a lot of our hitters were rookies or not used to playing every day, so I think they will pick up the pace. and some of our other guys like Luddy are not as bad as their first half numbers indicate (imo)
Nasty like Nas, Batman combined with Method Man
G. Rap hydraulics, supersonics call me Shark Man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Rotoworld is stating
that Reyes has left the Cardinals. He is returning to Mexico to be with a sick relative.
That's no bueno.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
From strauss
REYES LEAVES TEAM
Lefthanded reliever Dennys Reyes left the team after Friday’s game to visit a gravely ill relative in Mexico. The Cardinals explored placing Reyes on the bereavement list but learned that the designation applies only to immediate family members. Trever Miller remains as the sole lefthanded reliever.
well, y'know, good thing we have
8 relievers. Does this mean we need nine? Unfortunately, iirc, we don’t have any non-jaime garcia lefties on the 40-man. Unless we’re gonna add royce ring to the 40-man or have ankiel throw a couple innings, we’ll just have to get by. Not many lefties on the cubs roster anyway.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
by tom s. on Jul 11, 2009 12:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Cubs lefties
well, not many that can hit.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
that's a bum situation
best wishes to Dennys and his
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if there will be consequences for his leaving
What do they do. Is he AWOL??
"There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." ~Al Gallagher, 1971
go cards.
by thecoolalonzo on Jul 11, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't believe I'm writing this
but I actually would take our top 3 starters over any other top 3 right now.
"When all's been said and done, I can say that all has been said and done."
-Steve "Lips" Kudlow, of Anvil
I'd take any 3 of our Top 4 over anyone else's Top 3
once Lohse comes back on Sunday.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
what I was thinking
Nasty like Nas, Batman combined with Method Man
G. Rap hydraulics, supersonics call me Shark Man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 11, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd still take
Cain, Lincecum and Johnson in a 3 game series.
by Hardcore Legend on Jul 11, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
in a 3 game series...
i’d take cain, lincecum, and anybody else…in a 5 game series i’m gonna have to go with the carp/waino/pineiro/lohse
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought we were talking about the other pitching staffs in our division?
At least that’s how I interpreted it.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
just stay healthy
maybe somebody can come up with a better methodology and research than me, but I’d aver that having just OK pitchers who stay healthy is better than trotting out 15 different starters in a season. that’s why PK even keeps me hopeful – there are a lot of teams and situations that would take him in an instant to pitch a game
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
That depends
If we’re talking playoffs, I’d rather have two super-elite bangers. But I have no complaints with Carp and Wainer at the moment.
Surprising turn of events
I came into the season most worried about the starters and closer, and those have been the team’s strength. It’s still a long season—just look at Ludwick. He started off where he left off last year, got hurt, then looked like he was washed up, and now has started producing again.
Two things stand out
Pinero has been tremendous, obviously. Probably overlooked but his performance to this point has been ridiculous. If he can keep it up, it’s going to make a big difference in the second half.
I’m kinda shocked by just how bad the Brewers pitching has been. Looper has been atrocious and Suppan below mediocre, which given his large contract, has to be somewhat of a morale killer
i think it was clear the MIL
Rotation was yovani and the four dwarves (dwarfs?). Some hopes for parra to manifest his potential, but clearly a lot of replacement value talent at the back end.
I think the biggest surprises are wandy rodriguez beating out oswalt, pineiro going from worst to first, and harden being healthy but ineffective.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
by tom s. on Jul 11, 2009 12:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bizarro! Bizarro!
From now on when I see Stavinfection I’m gonna think “Bizarro Miles”
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
wouldn;t the bizzaro Miles
be a really good baseball player?
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
He'd also hit for a shit ton of power
and would walk a lot……and play good defense…..and run fast.
So…no. Stav is not Bizzaro Miles. He’s just a bigger, worse, slower version of Miles.
Nick Stavinoha is Aaron Miles with a thyroid condition.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
wasn't Aaron Miles' father
a heavyweight boxer? Maybe Aaron is the one with the (hypo-active) thyroid condition.
Maybe
or maybe Nick is actually Aaron’s son???
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Well, you have convinced me that Stav is not Bizarro Miles
But Im still gonna say “Bizarro, I’m helping!” to myself when he bats
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
The awesome thing about the Brewers
is you know they’ll sign Ryan Franklin this offseason for like $30M over 3 years to be their closer.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Next offseason.
His option will get picked up, barring a disaster.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
yeah...you're right.
At first I was thinking they’d let him walk, but his salary is pretty inexpensive so you’re probably right. So, I guess we’ll have to wait until 2011 for Franklin to make his Brewer debut.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
piniero, more likely ;)
they’ll sign pineiro for 3Y, 33M, and then not be able to afford Gallardo when he hits FA.
the end of every half inning IS a turning point. -Evilfrog
The Cards seem to have a reasonable plan for these games.
I hope we send up hitters against Lilly that “hit within a reasonable expectation”. I watched Lilly’s last start. He can be hit. Maybe Hoffpauir and Barden are hero’s today. Unfortunate timing by Reyes. I will be interested to see if LaRue catches this morning, along with tomorrows game.
you know hes gonna start tomorrow
its a double header. no reason to hurt yadi’s knees w/ two games in one day
by krippledmaster on Jul 11, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet it's the early game
which kinda depresses me since I have tix to that one. But, I still get Wagonmaker so all is good.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
sigh
According to rotoworld, Wainwright is going in the nightcap. Though, I still get Lohse and I’m pretty excited about that.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
im excited to see lohse back
even if its not gonna be on espn
by krippledmaster on Jul 11, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Molina
will need to do workouts Monday plus game on Tuesday. This is already 6 in a row. I would think they coddle Lohse a bit tomorrow, giving him the best receiver. If they don’t I would be surprised.
Familiarize your selfs with this story. It may visit you.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090711/ap_on_go_co/us_domestic_surveillance
I'd like to see a lineup of :
Ryan
Hoffpauir
Pujols
Ludwick
Rasmus
Molina
Stavinoha
Barden
I’m hoping ankiel’s .250 career BA vs. Lilly doesn’t mean he’ll be in the lineup
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions
Sit Rasmus today
Before you all jump down my throats, hear me out.
Rasmus struggles against lefties (yes I remember his moonshot off Lilly a few months back). Sit him today so that he can play BOTH games tomorrow against righties? Whatcha think?
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
he's young...
play him in all 3 games
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Especially
with 4 days off to follow.
He’s got to learn how to hit lefties (re: quit hitting into bad luck) sooner or later.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
I agree.
and i believe he is 5 for his last 11 against lefties, where as he was 5 for 45 to start the season.
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
bingo!
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
plus his defense makes him more valuable than anyone except Luddy
Nasty like Nas, Batman combined with Method Man
G. Rap hydraulics, supersonics call me Shark Man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 11, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Micklasz and the importance of Saves
Wow, strawman city in the Bernie Bits this morning:
Here’s another bromide: The Bill James wanna-bes tell us that saves are meaningless. Sure. Go tell that to the 2008 Cardinals, who crashed in large part because of a vulnerable bullpen that repeatedly coughed up late-inning leads in blowing more saves than any team in the majors. Saves can be cheap, yes. But it helps to have some context. And when a glaring weakness is transformed into a major strength for a team, that’s a big plus. Last season the Cardinals were 25th in the majors in save percentage. This year, because of Franklin’s improvement as a closer, they’re No. 3 in save percentage.
For the most part, yes have little meaning, and it’s unfortunate that the stat has gotten so much meaning in last two decades because it’s given guys like Jeff Brantley a job as a player and now as an “analyst.” There are way better stats that can be used like WPA or WXRL, just to pick two.
He then caveats the point with the need for “context” and how some saves are “cheap.” This is so lazy on his part – say statheads think they are meaningless, but then concede they are cheap, and then wrap up quoting change in Save percentage. QED!
No one disagrees that having a bad pitcher pitch in the late innings is bad. Everyone agrees having a good pitcher in the late innings is good. Why is it Ryan Franklin must be judged either rightly or wrongly based on his number of Saves? There’s are lots of stats that help us see how good Ryan has been this year, why pick the one that is one of the least useful and imprecise?
Lazy man, lazy.
I know whom to call for a hole in my roof or a whole new roof.
So it really surprises you
that Bernie says idiotic things? That’s what idiots do, isn’t it?
by StanTheManFan on Jul 11, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
that absolutely is lazy writing
No one will tell you that saves are “meaningless.” Bernie either knows this and is just being condescending or doesn’t know this and is just stupid and writing w/o learning what the hell he’s talking about. It’s really too close to call. In any event, saves are one of the most overrated stats out there but the worst thing about the “save” is how it’s calculated and how it forces managers into misusing their bullpens at times. Saves should be given out for getting out of the highest leverage situations. Then managers would use their best relievers at the best times. And I think you’re right, lightbulb, when you say that it doesn’t take the two stats — saves and blown saves — to let us know that Franklin is pitching better than Izzy did last year or, for that matter, better than Franklin did last year. Bernie’s argument, as it often is, is either intellectually dishonest or deliberately ignorant. It matters not which one b/c I guess it doesn’t take much research or time to put together such shoddy work and entitle it “bits.” In fact, “bits” is probably a pretty appropriate title considering that’s about what it’s worth.
Bits indeed
Or maybe his work has the worth of those monopoly pieces from McDonalds that have the value of 1/100th of a penny.
This is nothing new with Bernie though. The guy just seems to value quantity over quality, and yeah, that means he’s intellectually dishonest b/c he has to write something.
I know whom to call for a hole in my roof or a whole new roof.
PJ Walters is up
Barden is down. I’m guessing PJ is here for one day only.
BEHOLD THE RETURN OF 13 MAN STAFF
The only one who liked the Cardinals so much he became a St. Louis Cardinals football fan.
by coachnick39 on Jul 11, 2009 1:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
wtf...
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe to give Soriano nightmares
PJ made him look silly…repeatedly.
Of course Soriano does that himself and we are probably just covering our ass for PK today and PJ goes down to open a roster spot for Lohse tomorrow.
The only one who liked the Cardinals so much he became a St. Louis Cardinals football fan.
by coachnick39 on Jul 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess it makes a little more sense
than usual..considering the double header tomorrow……can we get Hoffpauir to play 3rd today?
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm hoping its just cuz
the big sweat (d reyes) is unavailable for a few days…
....my quick smells like french toast...
Barden already sent down? lame
Nasty like Nas, Batman combined with Method Man
G. Rap hydraulics, supersonics call me Shark Man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 11, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
It makes sense.
If it wasn’t today, it’d have been tomorrow since they need room for Lohse. Plus, as coachnick said above, having Reyes out and Thompson on the mound, they’re probably more worried about a short start (like 4 or 5 innings) and not having enough arms.
Would I have preferred Thurston? You betcha, but this move still makes sense.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Why not kinney who has been mostly useless and pitched last night? Barden could be nice to have against a leftie.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
by tom s. on Jul 11, 2009 3:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It makes sense now
Really they only have an 11 man staff b/c Sweat is attending to the family matter issue. PJ is the 12th man, even though 13 are on the active roster.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Jul 11, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
stache stash open!
http://delicious.com/Mustachioed_Birdos
While at 22 bookmarks, tis still in progress. The collection is sorely lacking, so if you have any contributions, here’s the FanShot.
I’m hoping to add pretty much everything in, including blogs with captions like the above.
"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
I think it's time we discuss something important:
Colby Rasmus trying to grow a mustache. It’s disgusting.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
he's young
give him time…peach fuzz is a bitch to grow out
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
It is disgusting...
But at least you can see it if you try really hard. It will be interesting to see Thompson today, because he had nothing above his lip in his last start…
V, b.
He's shaving.
Never even attempted to grow one.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
He needs to stop.
It’s looks like he stole it off a Columbian drug lord.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Streaming?
Anybody have a link to where the game can be viewed? It’s blacked out on mlb.com and the stupid pinstripes (jealousy?) are stealing the limelight in my area.
Yup
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
Anyone recording todays game in HD?
by Hardcore Legend on Jul 11, 2009 2:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
i can record it
but i haven’t tried taking anything off my timewarner box yet. i’ll give it a try tho if no one else does.
....my quick smells like french toast...
new avatar test...
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions
sweet..
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
now you need to work on your sig
little outdated
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
ha!..yeah i guess so
I was thinking it was still relevant with Tyler Greene, but he’s not on the team either.
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Bull Durham is on fox before the game today
I really love that movie…the scene where they create a rainout makes me laugh everytime
and as always..K’s are fascist…groundballs are more democratic
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
I'm really disappointed...
that my first HD game in a while will be ruined by Brad Thompson and Ted Lilly. Luckily there’s tomorrow night, with Waino and Carlos Zambrano imploding under the pressure of Albert Pujols’ ridiculousness.
V, b.
All Star Fan Fest
I just got back, and here’s my take, FWIW:
If you have kids who enjoy wii-like games, enjoy autographs so much that you will wait in long lines to obtain one, or like spending money on collectables, fanfest is worth the money.
If you are looking for more baseball related history, or something else, it probably isn’t worth your $30.00.
I got my tickets with the LaRussa package, and although it was cool to see everyone excited about the game, I’m glad I didn’t pay for the ticket.
I did enjoy the laughs I received from people because I was wearing my cubs shirt. It’s a pic of a guy giving a cubs player the heimlich maneuver.
"There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." ~Al Gallagher, 1971
go cards.
There's a good baseball history
showing at the museum under the arch until September, FYI.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
I'm a hit that up soon,.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
I'm getting greedy
I want something special from Albert these next 3 games. Something like 4 HR, 12 RBI going 7 for 11.
Really put a stranglehold on the Triple Crown.
by Hardcore Legend on Jul 11, 2009 2:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
i'd almost rather see something like that from ludwick
if he gets to the form of last year…we are going to win the central
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
i'd settle for 6 HR
18 RBI and 11 for 30 between the two of them, over the three games.
the end of every half inning IS a turning point. -Evilfrog
i guess that'd be ok
i would really like to see doubleheader no-hitters, though
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
if we are getting greedy...
then I want 2 homers and 6 rbis (combined) from ankiel and duncan…they need some momentum going into the break
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
there is a difference
between greedy and stupid and you my friend are walking that line
gonna need more franklins to get through this one.
by hoofhearted-pujols on Jul 11, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
nah..
stupid would be letting them play at all. Greedy is knowing that they’ll play and wanting them to contribute, even though you know they can’t
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jul 11, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
ditto
personally, I never want to see any TWO of AnK, Dunc and Thursty in any line-up the rest of the year. And if I am greedy I want zero. With Glaus and DeRo both on the roster by the end of this month, I’m letting myself hope.
I’d kep Duncan as a pinch-hitter and let the other two go, one way or another.
And, like Colombo’s ‘one more thing’, Colby in CF virtually every day.
is Glaus now a legit idea of coming back this summer?
and is he now a better probability than DeRo?
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
you just crapped in my oatmeal
I was making assumptions. You are right in that “I’ll believe when I see it” is the best stance to take.
honestly, though, at this point
1. the starting rotation is set, and pretty solid
2. 2 of the 3 outfield spots are set
3. infield, i like to think that SS and 1b are pretty well set
I can deal with 3 question marks in a lineup. There are worse things.
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
the outfield is "set" 2/3
IF LaRussa does his part, ie Colby CF and Luddy RF. Will he?
Pardon me for having my doubts.
Lineups
Us
B. Ryan, SS
C. Rasmus, CF
A. Pujols, 1B
R. Ludwick, RF
N. Stavinoha, LF
Y. Molina, C
J. Hoffpauir, 2B
B. Thompson, P
J. Thurston, 3B
Them
K. Fukudome, CF
R. Theriot, SS
D. Lee, 1B
A. Ramirez, 3B
A. Soriano, LF
M. Bradley, RF
J. Baker, 2B
K. Hill, C
T. Lilly, P
V, b.
Grrr...
Put Barden (RIP) at 3rd and move Molina to 5th and I like that lineup a lot against Lefties.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
Yeah - that would be ideal
But I don’t have big issue with this lineup. Ryan’s leading off (which I think he should do more of), Rasmus is playing against a lefty, Luddy in the cleanup (duh) and Pumpkin and Dick are sitting.
by Ray Lankford on Jul 11, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
in what world does Stav hit in front of Yadi?
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn't commenting on the order of the hitters...
He said it was “Albert Pujols and the memphis redbirds”…
V, b.
Well that girl isn't THAT ugly...
…besides her pimples and missing teeth…
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Jul 11, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
i think that Burnitz and Canseco
should get some sort of lifetime pass to the HR derby
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
hell yeah i would watch that
along with some of my other favorite hitters – Leyritz, Jack Clark, Milton Bradley, that OF that the Cards got from the Royals who had 2 Latin first names, and maybe Doug Mirabelli
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Felix Jose!
that is who i was thinking of
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
wow
Felix Jose wasn’t as terrible as I remember: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/josefe01.shtml
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I've always thought a metal bat HR derby would be awesome
But the risk of fans’ deaths is an annoying side effect.
by Ray Lankford on Jul 11, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
so Hamilton isn't doing it again this year?
Watching last year’s display was one of the greatest things I have ever watched. If you didn’t feel good about life after watching that, I pity you.
by Expatcardfan on Jul 11, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
OT: Go Cubs Go
Seriously, why in the fuck do they play that song? I mean, besides being really lame-O lyrically and completely boring in terms of melody, it doesn’t even make sense.
I mean, one line is “Hey Chicago what do you say/the Cubs are goin’ to win today!” Think about this, they play a song about winning TODAY when they’ve ALREADY WON THE FUCKING GAME!!! Am I the only one who thinks there is something epically stupid about this? Has it gotten so bad for the Cubs that they can only talk about how they’re going to win AFTER THEY WIN THE FUCKING GAME??? Someone please explain this to me…
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Jul 11, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions
They're cub fans
can’t expect much.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jul 12, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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