Small Picture, Rookie Pitcher, Big Picture
by azruavatar on Aug 22, 2010 1:40 AM EDT
Email
PrintSay that title three times fast.
The Cardinals picked up a win yesterday against a great pitcher (Tim Lincecum) after a 5 game losing streak. That win was much needed for the psyche of Cardinal Nation. I should be pumped up about that but it's hard to be overly positive at the moment. There's an element of "Trust the Process" going on and the process, regardless of the recent results, is bad.
The lineup that won yesterday included five batters that have a wOBA below league average (6 when you include the pitcher). That's not just a bad lineup, it's a terrible lineup. The collapse of Felipe Lopez, both offensively and defensively, has been, in some senses, the failing of the fail-safe for the system. The result of a collapse like that is a roster that includes Pedro Feliz or Aaron Miles. In this instance, the result is a roster that includes both players.
There's a reactionary feeling to this last week. Felipe has some bad games in the field, the club goes on a losing streak and there's a sense of urgency to do something. It's one of the classic situations where those in charge seek to reassure their clients by doing something. Anything. The impression of acting, of being in charge of the situation, is more important to them than the whether that act is actually helpful. The external consensus seems to be that this act (acquiring Feliz) was not helpful.
This wouldn't be the first post where I bemoaned the Cardinals losing wins on the margins. The roster management on the fringes has been nothing short of terrible this year. Aaron Miles over Tyler Greene. Pedro Feliz over Tyler Greene. Mike MacDougal over Fernando Salas. Nick Stavinoha over Allen Craig. It's been an ongoing series of missteps that, taken individually, aren't cause for concern but, taken collectively, are disheartening and significant.
In the past, we've been critical of the spending at the edges. Money thrown at middle relief or on backup catchers when perfectly acceptable and comparable players could be had for less. Some have argued that the Cardinals went into the season with limited depth. To an extent that's true. But third base was never one of the areas that the Cardinals were expected to be short at. Have they had unfortunate injuries? Sure. But there's a lot of blame to be assessed with the roster management this season.
* * *
Jaime Garcia has been nothing short of fantastic this season. He's currently sporting a 3.82 xFIP,which would make him one of the top 30 pitchers in the league. He's gotten groundballs by the dozens and has shown enough stuff to to compensate for control that has been touchy over the course of the season. At 132 innings, Garcia has fulfilled the wildest expectations that anyone could have had for him this year. He's a legitimate rookie of the year candidate. That all makes the next question harder.
| Year | IP |
| 2006 | 155.0 |
| 2007 | 103.1 |
| 2008 | 122.0 |
| 2009 | 37.2 |
| 2010 | 132.1 |
How long do you ride this rookie of the year arm? At 132 innings, it's the most he's pitched since his first professional season. At 132 innings, it's nearly 100 more than he pitched last year after returning from Tommy John surgery. He's approaching his innings high of his professional career. Innings pitched is not the best evaluative tool of a pitcher's workload. A strict pitch count might be more instructive and even then all pitches aren't created equally. I don't have an answer to this question but it seems like an appropriate time to start asking it.
* * *
Did you know the Cardinals have been an above average club offensively? True story. They've got a .327 wOBA thus far this year (.323 is average). It's part of what has made this season feel so uneven. Despite the fact that they've got top notch pitching and are average offensively, they continue to be underacheivers (or at least from my perspective).
Maybe this season had a psychological setup that is plaguing us still. We (read: me) thought they were going to be a tremendous club. They had a powerhouse offense with three stars and a bunch of average-ish players. They had a solid top to bottom club rotation with two aces. They had a solid bullpen with some live arms. I can't seem to shake the feeling that they should have been something special.
Regardless, it would be wonderful to watch the club go on a bit of a win streak. There's a listless nature to the active roster from the fan's perspective. The club seems stiff and I miss the soft carresses between Boog and Rasmus. The random secret handshakes between players. I miss the club seeming fun. Team-Fan chemistry may be as much a result of winning as team chemistry is.
Still, win one for the robot? Preferably, win 5 in a row for the robot.
154 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
good post
especially like the specifics given to roster management
This guys so good(Pujols) He should be illegal-Pirates announcers
roster management is bad for sure
but beyond that is talent evaluation
why sign gotay? he has [played in the majors before, and against them
to come on now and say he isn’t adequate is nonsensical
signing k howard is nonsensical
not giving tg and/or craig more time at third in AAA is nonsensical
etc
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Apparently, Voxx is a villain at MCC
'Hold my stones!'
----Johnny Cueto fights like a little bitch----
Also, when did someone in the St. Louis media say that Pujols was trash or 'over the hill'?
'Hold my stones!'
----Johnny Cueto fights like a little bitch----
who knows?
Maybe someone on the PD forms? The guy who took Bernie’s spot on 590?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Anyone not a resident is suspect over there.
You can make an unbiased comment and they’re going to read it in whatever light suits them.
Exiled from MCC by a banhammerhappy harpie and doing my best not to look back.
by victor frankenstein on Aug 22, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
It's pretty simple Azru
The Cardinals are now on pace for 89 wins. Their Pythag record before last night’s game has them as a 95 win team. So really, they have played like a tremendous club and have just gotten unlucky with their run distribution.
and really unlucky with injuries
the Cards had a healthy Freese for 2 months, a healthy Penny for less than 2 months, never a healthy Lohse (is there such a thing any more??), and a Rasmus who keeps getting leg injuries. You could even count Otto going down and Motte having to go on the DL. The Reds have not lost nearly as many players. It often seems to come down to which team remains healthier during a season – this year it’s not the Cards.
yea, but
why bet on penny and lohse to both come back
and go a full season
wonder what the odds on that were in vegas?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Penny was healthy last year
And he is good and cheap. You don’t get too many pitchers with good stuff, good results, and a clean bill of health signing one-year deals for <$10m. Penny was a slight injury risk and a slight performance risk, otherwise we wouldn’t have got him for that deal. The realistic alternatives, with the exception of Brett Myers, have not faired much better (and Myers has been lucky).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 23, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I just noticed last night how far the Cards are underplaying their Pythag.
Meanwhile the Reds are dead-even with it.
Hopefully the Redbirds can pick up some of that potential and score 4-5 runs a game instead of blowing up for 7-8 then going quiet again.
jprutherford- Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 22, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Not at all sure I swallow PythagWins/Wins differential as being a particularly sensitive indicator of luck
although I do suspect we’ve been a tad unlucky and the Reds have been somewhat lucky.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 23, 2010 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
There's a ton of factors at play that may skew runs scored/allowed
most specifically in blowout wins/losses (which one team may have significantly more of) when the arse-end of the bullpen and/or the worst position players may be on the park. It wouldn’t surprise me as well if hitters are more likely to give up at-bats in a blowout loss. A couple of blowouts one way or another at some point in the season, which may not be particularly indicative of a team’s overall luck, or skill-level/luck at the current time, can presumably skew pythag either way. I think it certainly (and obviously) has meaning and correlates reasonably well to “actual” W/L, but I’d need to be convinced by some evidence of its accuracy to measure “luck” with any great sensitivity, I think.
I think a more sensitive indicator (using similar rationale) would be something that measured results in close games (1 run games, 2 run games etc.). I’m fairly certain the reds have been “luckier” (or had better timing, shall we say) with their scoring and results in those games anyhow, so the point probably still stands.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 25, 2010 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the part about winning 5 in a row
I have a hate relationship with the Cardinals' roster makeup decisions. | Cards on Cards
nitpick: i hate when the STL sports writers do this:
1841/3 innings
maybe that’s the accepted way to do it, that’s freakin’ one thousand, eight hundred, forty-one thirds
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
It's a mind game.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 22, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
ap style
its the only accurate way to do it. 184 1/3 ≠ 184.1. If you look at the second number, its not a third of an inning, but a mythical tenth — you cant do that.
its not stl, its most media.
St. Louis Game Time Fact: Morning links are part of a well-balanced meal.
SBNSTL Writing about the Blues in more than one line is tough.
i see what you mean,
but what i mean is 1841/3 ≠ 184 1/3
it just throws me off when i read. space is much needed. but i have no problem with .1 or .2 even though that’s not technically what it means
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
So is Pedro Feliz
going to be this generation’s Cesar Cedeno and help the Cards get into the playoffs??
Sorry I couldn’t resist. But it was nice to get a win and beat Timmy Lincecum in the process. But hey if we can sneak out a win today….then things might be looking up. We have the Pirates and Nationals coming up. Although the Nats might not be easy wins.
As long as we are not more than 2 games back when we face the Reds next month I’m not going to get too worried yet.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
i agree now is the time to start limiting some of jaime's workload
we went into the season expecting no more than 150ip from omar but along the way injuries piled up and his workload increased. I commend mo on the westbrook trade, sure i am upset over the cost but if a westbrook now can help jaimes workload im all for a healthier omar in the future.
by CodyG on Aug 22, 2010 3:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I agree
But I must admit this bullpen of ours is starting to give me the willies and I am not confident they can hold down a slim lead. So Garcia only going 4-5 innings is a bit of a concern if the game is close. I’m starting to wonder if maybe Suppan might be “sharing” games with Garcia when he comes off the DL or when the roster expands in September. As in Garcia pitches 4-5 innings and Soup comes in for 2 innings. It might not be a bad idea…..as long as Suppan doesn’t start getting rocked.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
injuries / aches in the bullpen suck
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
An article in the PD the other day
said the Cards might go to a 5 and 1/2 man rotation when Soup comes back. In some times through the rotation, all 5 would pitch so as to give an extra day of rest to everyone. In other times through the rotation, one of Soup, Jaime, or Lohse would get skipped. With no off-days after Sept. 2, the Cards will finish with 31 games in a row, so the rotation with all 6 starting might come in the middle of this time period.
Aaron Miles will pitch???!!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you're right, Yadi
at his size, Miles should count as the half!
this is the type of sitcom that tanks
or inexplicably goes into syndication, right after the Night Court reruns.
“5½ Men”
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
If he doesn't do well against the Pirates, then we have a problem...
'Hold my stones!'
----Always smooth----
Gracias to Voxx for the double reverse jinxing...
that put us over the line.
Clearly, the Giants are an excellent team. If Zito can’t get at least 15 outs from Molina-Ryan-Skip/Miles-Feliz-Garcia he should get on his surfboard and just keep paddling.
Fire La Russa!
Judging this team is impossible
Just when you think they are ready to play with some consistency they become very inconsistent. When you think they are out of it they have responded by showing you how good they can be. I do not know what they are going to do, but a safe bet is to not bet either way. I like their starting pitching, top four anyway and that is what will matter the most. Wainright, Carpenter, Garcia, and Westbrook is pretty good and just might be good enough to get the job done.
Feliz is probably not very good, but he was a significant upgrade over Lopez – that is how bad Lopez had become. Water will settle to its rightful spot and so will Feliz, but I have to tell you that I like what Feliz has done at third base. He may not continue to hit but he he will play defense and that is extremely important. He seems to have a resolve about him to prove that he can still play and right now I would not bet against him.
This team needs Rasmus back in a productive mode and they need John Jay to keep on producing. Jay looks like a seasoned vet who is very comfortable but make no mistake he cannot play CF like Rasmus. Rasmus is a big key for this team, offensively and defensively.
Ryan is also a key and while he frustrates one to the limit, he is also a key. Production from Ryan down the stretch would provide a big lift and just maybe the big hit he got last night will help him with some confidence. His defense continues to be outstanding.
Third base was the trouble spot but now it appears to be second base. A platoon of Lopez and Schumaker may be better but I would not want to bet on it. Right now the best second base is Miles, better defensive player and more consistent on offense but on a team starving for offense they need more production. They say they are trying to upgrade so it would appear to me that this would be the spot to focus on. I do not see much hope of an upgrade but Kelly Johnson sure would look nice in this lineup heading down the stretch.
I continue to think that they are capable but I also realize that they are extremely inconsistent. They have not had that one long extended winning streak and it is going to take one to put them over the top. If they get hot and do win it then just maybe they will have the momentum needed as they go into the playoffs. Winning in the playoffs is a lot about momentum and being hot at the right time. Right now is the time to get hot.
"Right now the best second base is Miles"...
lettin’ that sink in on everyone here…
;=8)
I cowcur on much of what is said here, although even I still don’t think Miles is better for anything except as a PH. With Happy Pete imitating a living human being at third I like the Skip/Flop @b platoon: Skip is hitting better and Flop plays better D there. Getting the Big Cheese to stay in CF every day would be a big help.
As for Jaime, as long as we are in the playoff hunt he’ll pitch, although he should be limited to 5-6 innings. I actually like the idea of a 6 man rotation with Soup, although it would depend on whether Lohse has cowpletely crapped out on us (which I am starting to suspect). If Lohse is indeed the turd in the punchbowl then Soup take his spot and we keep Hawkman as the long guy, and we limit Jaime’s pitches.
Oh, and we pray to the cow gods that Franklin keeps it together!
:=8/
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
Best second base
Actually, I agree that “right now the best second base is Miles…”
Not the best second baseman, but definitely the best second base.
CC Sabathia would be a better second base option
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 22, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
great post, Azru
- roster management has been horrible. Giving away Lugo, who cost next to nothing, to do him a favor was a big mistake. Could have used him all year. Look at what we’ve used instead. However, if Lopez posted .310, .383, .427, .810 like he did last year in 604 ABs, it would have helped.
- Garcia’s innings will probably be determined by Lohse. If he, Soup, or the ghost of Brad Penny can show something, Garcia will likely receive more rest between starts. If none of the above happens, let’s hope they don’t kill the kid.
- the pitching is above average, the offense may be as well, but the downfall of this team has been defense. Not just the quantifiable errors and range, but the double plays not made, the errant throws that are not chargeable errors, throwing to the wrong base, popups that land untouched, poor positioning, etc.
by vinniefromjersey on Aug 22, 2010 9:17 AM EDT reply actions
Don't forget the awful baserunning
This team has bled outs on the bases.
"The Helping Phriendly Book it seems contained the ancient secrets of eternal joy and neverending splendor. The trick was to surrender to the flow." Phish - The Lizards
by indakind on Aug 22, 2010 9:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
UZR has the Cardinals defense as dead average defensively
UZR takes into account range, errors, double plays and outfield arms. It certainly has it’s flaws but I trust it when evaluating team defense. And viscerally, a team with Brendan Ryan, Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Colby Rasmus, Jon Jay and Ludwick (half season) is almost certainly not a defensive liability. Finally, the Cardinals have the second best ERA in the majors at 3.42 (!). It’s almost impossible to have that good an ERA without at least an average defense.
There is no way the defense of this team has any culpability towards their underachievement. As I said above, the blame lies in the conversion of runs to wins.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 22, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
it's hitting, hitting, hitting
not enough xbh, not enough rispy,
the “only on home runs” concern form earlier int he year simply reflected we have too many low obp guys to sustain many rallies
last night we got lucky with aline-up with only 2 .300 hitters and a vast majority hitting below .260
just won’t get it done
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Most lineups only have 2 .300 hitters
And most lineups have quite a few players batting below .260.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 22, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
This was the first time
that I had honestly forgotten that Brad Penny is a St. Louis Cardinal until I read this.
What good would Lugo do?
He is hitting terribly this year as well. Maybe his “luck” would change if he were in STL, kinda like Miles, but still. The dude is slugging under .300 this year. Also, you have to think of clubhouse chemistry. Lugo didn’t want to be the 24th or 25th player on the roster. With Lopez, who is/was better, that is what Lugo would have been.
I also don’t understand the big stink about MacDougal over Salas. Mac isn’t getting high leverage innings. In a way, he’s the there to pitch multiple innings, and co-serve as the long man or mop man. Why give that role to Salas? Could salas even go multiple innings, or would they want him to? To me, this is kind of like the Craig situation earlier. If he isn’t going to get starts, why the heck would it have made sense to keep him on the ML roster? He’s shown that he needs consistent AB’s to be effective, that either means starting somewhat frequently, or being stashed in AAA until we have a need at the ML level for him, resulting in consistent AB’s.
Giving away Lugo, who cost next to nothing, to do him a favor was a big mistake.
I disagree. Lugo and Lopez are basically the same type of player but Lopez does everything better. They were redundant components and Lugo was the guy who had to go. Obviously we don’t know what would have happened if Lugo had stayed in St. Louis but to this point in Baltimore he’s been an abject disaster. .257/.306/.294 with meh defense is not a good combo.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 22, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
haven't looked in a bit, but i seem to
Recall lugo was challenging feliz for worst player in the majors.
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
by tom s. on Aug 22, 2010 8:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
To be fair to Mo on the Lugo trade
We had a ton of depth at that point and Lugo has been absolutely AWFUL this year, as he more or less has been for quite a while now excepting 2 months with us in 2009.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 23, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
When you say we had 3 star offensive players
who are you counting as the 3rd?
Milt Thompson FTW!
Er, I misread
I suppose he meant Ludwick then.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 22, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought you were talking about preseason
by vivaelpujols on Aug 22, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
I forgot the context. Ludwick who I was talking about Cloby’s emergence was simply a nice surprise much as Garcia’s was.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
the handshakes are still there.
it’s just that for some reason, they don’t show them on television…
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I'm going to disagree with this.
But third base was never one of the areas that the Cardinals were expected to be short at.
Our starting 3rd baseman was a rookie who has had wheel issues for two (now three) years in a row. Our backup plan was Lopez. Who would work if it just a dozen games or so… but he isn’t a 3rd baseman.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
You mean the Lopez who had a .383 OBP last year in 600 some plate appearances and a positive UZR?
Yeah, how could we possibly rely on such a player to be our backup third baseman.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 22, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, that's the guy
the 30 year old Middle infielder with a Career OBP of .338 who has played less than 100 games at third over his 9 year career and is a better 2nd baseman than he his a third base man.
Judging by the Lohse Contract I guess Mo does put a lot stock in an aging guy who just had a career year. But i’d rather he’d not.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
A .338 OBP is above average, am I correct?
And when a player has been above average over his career and is coming off his best career season, I think it’s safe to project an above average offensive performance going forward.
The third base issue is negligible. Lopez was a competent defender at second, and the two positions have an equal level of difficulty. There is no reason to think he wouldn’t have been capable there (and for all of his apparent struggles down there this season, both his UZR and DRS are right about average).
by vivaelpujols on Aug 22, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
well, the .323 career wOBA is below average
and at 30, as a middle infielder type with little power and average speed, he should be expected to decline.
The lopez signing was great, as a backup SS/2B/3B, and I’m not sure what Mo could have or should have done differently at 3B in ST, but there’s definitely a problem now. It probably wasn’t identifiable in ST, but in June, when Freese was clearly playing hurt, Mo should have found help.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
I think Lopez got hurt and never recovered.
Tony has been riding him harder than Dusty Baker starting pitcher.
He pitched , played 2nd, 3rd mostly and short stop. I think mentally and physically he is beaten down. And to think he was probably worried he wasn’t gonna get enough playing time as a super utility type.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
They also signed Ruben Gotay to be a backup
but for various reasons no longer consider him an option. It’s revisionist, imo, to call 3B a foreseeable short falling of depth back in ST.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
We had Lugo as well
who’d shown enough in 2009 to suggest he might not be a bad plan C or D.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 23, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
also, CJ Beatty is still entertaining.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
LMBO!
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 22, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
This team seems to have bad karma
It is inexplicable to me that after the series sweep of the Reds that we went in the tank again. Bottom line is that even though Holliday/Rasmus/Pujols put up good numbers, you can’t score runs in bunches when the other six guys are hitting .200. Ludwick trade hurt, but they weren’t much better at scoring in bunches with him and we couldnt keep throwing Hawk out there.
I’m pretty pessimistic about ther chances at this point with Carpand Waino racking up huge innings and Garcia at his limit, they need a lot:
Feliz= Cedeno
A miracle at 2b
Lohse pitching like lohse in his first season
ryan/molina to hit .300 for the last 6 weeks.
Jeff Suppan to pitch like he did against Pirates
Apple Sauce
dump the bad karma: Miles
Just win
Cardinals attempt to round us up and let Strauss call us towel fetchers
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/ticketing/group_theme.jsp?loc=socialmedia
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
though if a VEB v. P-D board knife fight breaks out
I expect singing.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Now that would be epic beyond epic.
A bunch of bloggers in a WSS style fight. I wouldn’t know whether to laugh or hit somebody.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 22, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
if we can get all the ladies in there ... with their choice of stabbing implements
auto-win.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Spants is first one I looking for to make sure she knows I'm on her side.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 22, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Make sure you wear your VEB t-shirts
It helps determine targets netter and hides blood stains. “Bring me my brown pants!”
I was reading about how countless species are being pushed toward extinction by man's destruction of forests. Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - Calvin, Scientific Progress Goes "Boink", Watterson
*better
I hate typos
I was reading about how countless species are being pushed toward extinction by man's destruction of forests. Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - Calvin, Scientific Progress Goes "Boink", Watterson
I call trident if it hasn't been claimed already
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
did Lou just do what I think he did?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Lou just did what I think he did.
CHICAGO – Lou Piniella today announced he has elected to step down as manager of the Chicago Cubs following this afternoon’s game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field for family reasons.
it’s AP, it’s everywhere.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they've been wanting him too for a while now to give somebody else a shot at it.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 22, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
pretty sudden
citing family obligations. one hopes it’s not something really bad.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
True.
Unless they were worried about his health and he finally caved. But yes, I don’t want anything bad to happen.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 22, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
really sounds like it was Lou's call... he wanted to leave at the end of the year, not, uh, today.
I gotta dig out a better article and actually read it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Lou probably needs to spend some time at a nice mental facility for a few weeks.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
apparently it's his mother.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
and Vin Scully's going to have an announcement today, too.
before today’s action.
man. it’s a weird day for baseball, and no games yet. sea-changes. contemplate your mortality, jerks!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Oh, no.
jprutherford- Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 22, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
It's fine.
He’s coming back for 2011. All home games and West coast road games.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
Want to blame someone for Feliz? Blame the starting rotation...
“We prioritize defense,” Mozeliak said. “Of course, we also want offense. But finding a player that fully qualifies on both counts was unlikely. We chose to go with defense.”
Several Cardinals pitchers were offered the choice between four to five runs guaranteed per start and a mistake-free defense. Each chose clean defense.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
Carpenter stood there in the shadows, watching Mozeliak sweat through another brand new shirt...
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 22, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
LOL
he’s thinking, do the right thing, John…. or else
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I question
how that really went down. If these pitchers allow four runs, the team doesn’t win.
runs on offense.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
there's a lineup.
I’ll just get out of the way and let someone else post it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Line up-
BJRains Cards lineup: Ryan 6, Jay 8, Pujols 3, Holliday 7, Lopez 4, Feliz 5, Molina 2, Craig 9, Garcia 1……Ryan and Lopez good numbers vs. Zito.
OK, well this is a different look. Craig 8th to get the pressure off, I guess.
jprutherford- Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 22, 2010 12:56 PM EDT reply actions
C'mon boog...win that lead off spot.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
Lopez and Craig are easily...
preferable to Ryan… I don’t care what they’ve done recently.
Fire La Russa!
i dont like Ryan leading off either
but that Lopez,Jay,AP,Holliday,Craig lineup just wasn’t getting it done. I guess TLRs just trying to mix it up
by mick311 on Aug 22, 2010 1:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
with Rasmus out though i would prefer to see Jay hitting 5th
I know its a lefty but he is still the same option. Lopez offers no protection to Holliday
by mick311 on Aug 22, 2010 1:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
no way I would have Craig lead off
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
huh
boog leading off… interesting choice, Tony
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
he is hitting bout .290 since the break. maybe that wrist is all healed up.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
above the neck is the thing.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
how is the OBP is the real question
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
.339
vs .293 for felipe.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
that's interesting
wouldn’t have expected that. Wonder if lefty/righty makes a difference.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
beating lincecum
didn’t do much for my confidence in the team
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
you negative nancy
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
losing 5 straight to the cubs and brewers will do that
we’ve already been dominated by zito once this year. can they beat him?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I was just razzin ya
you’re right pretty much
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
lincecum is not himself right now so I'm not impressed.
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
yeah but he also throws it down the middle and gives up HRs to Wandy Winn
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 22, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
happens to Carpenter and Wainwright sometimes
A hitter with no power and one one on base. Throw it over the plate and most of the time it’s a quick out. I’m not going to hold giving up a solo shot to Winn against him.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Getting Lincecum when he isn't himself
almost makes up for getting Bud Norris when he isn’t himself.
jprutherford- Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 22, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
ah, the brotherhood of baseball
BJRains Today’s game is also on TBS. David Wells and Franklin were talking hunting earlier in the clubhouse. 20 minutes ago via web
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
some sort of positive thoughts on the management
so it seems like things are a bit conflicted with how the cardinals have been managed (both gm and on the field). could it be that they are trying to both prepare for the future and contend at the same time? that could explain some of the weirdness…
some things that could be thought of as encouraging in some capacity:
1. the last two drafts have been really good
2. focusing on defense helps our pitching staff (while hurting the offense unfortunately… is Feliz the new Izturis?)
3. perhaps the Cardinals (well, Duncan and TLR in particular) wanted to make sure that Westbrook was on the team asap and wanted to get a good hands up on making sure he pitches here next year (while realizing that Ludwick was going to depart anyway in the not too distant future)
4. developing new talent and a more rapid rate (Craig needed to start playing in the majors more often… although this doesn’t explain sticking with Stav for so long or signing Randy Winn). but they definitely gave Jay a chance and the bullpen is full of developing talent (aside from Miller, Reyes, Franlinstein, etc).
5. they can still look like they are contending by making moves that won’t set the team back too far if at all. Feliz wasn’t a very expensive acquisition that solidifies the defense at third gives Lopez the insurance status he was originally meant for…. he just hasn’t been hitting worth his salt…. he’s been hitting more like an offseason steal.
anyway, this doesn’t explain the poor bullpen management and a lot of other things, but I guess this is what they are trying to do. to go with a more defensive team and highlight the team strength even more (pitching). while Feliz might not actually be that much better than Tyler Greene at third base, he’s at least as good imo. it just seems like some of their strategy is conflicted, it must not be easy managing a team with multiple injuries (but hopefully they can figure out how to alleviate that soon!)
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:43 PM EDT reply actions
true
and feliz probably isn’t that much of a defensive asset. maybe kind of a bad comparison
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
we all know what they are trying to do
just disagree they have taken the best, most efficient, path
draft-wise, it’s hard to say past the first couple of choices if they did well
bottom line is they signed gotay and howard to play 3rd at memphis because they were bankrupt at 3rd and did not want to further experiment with craig or greene
a lot of polyana thinking regarding injuries and what kind of depth they need to develop
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
at least they are partially accomplishing their mission
I give them a C+ though, not exactly flying colors. maybe a B- at most
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I know how
they could’ve avoided this third base dilemma…
Woohoo! east coast is getting the game on tbs! Yes!
You fit into me
like a hook into an eye
a fish hook
an open eye
The only people not getting it
are in the St. Louis market.
oh crap, codyg is here
hey, codyg, mlb.tv works in ubuntu, right? i mean, it’s just a flash program right?
trying to figure out if my GPU is messed up or if i have something weird going on in windows making my flash video play weirdly
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
my god, kyle. I thought Frankie's beard last year was a horror.
this is just crazy.
apparently his wife and his friends don’t like it.
“same cleats, same everything, every day.”
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
saw Noveller last night
I like cute girls that play the guitar http://www.myspace.com/noveller
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 2:07 PM EDT reply actions
Waino montages.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
"I'm competing with my wife as to who can kill the biggest deer."
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I love the hugs with Yadi.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Waino's lessons in mortality.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
sick of the fucking long-term injuries to this team
I hate losing, but at least let us lose with the best possible team on the field. I can’t fucking stand watching fourth-stringer nobodies out there with Pujols.
I get that circumstances have led to the acquisition of some of these guys (Soup, for example)…..but I have not yet fully wrapped my mind around the idea that we actually traded for Pedro fucking Feliz.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
Carp luggage is the answer
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 22, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Garcia will continue pitching
as long as a postseason berth is in question. I can see the Cards possibly skipping his 9/1 projected start by using Suppan, but only if Cards remain close in the division title/wild card race. There will continue to be a pitch limit on Garcia (less than 100 per start) and probably a quick hook in any game where he struggles.
With that in mind, I don’t see Jaime starting any postseason games. He’ll be available out of the pen as the long man especially useful against Philly. I just see the team making any plans to limit Jaime’s innings to make sure he’s available for postseason starts.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
- Robinson Cano and Denzel Washington face off in Jay Leno’s Yankees trivia contest
- Shane Victorino lands role on ‘Hawaii Five-0′
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
