NLCS Game 4: Cardinals Lose 4-2, here's a picture of sad Albert Pujols

by DanUpBaby on Oct 14, 2011 1:47 AM EDT

ST LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 13: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals sits in the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium on October 13, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

This picture is the appropriate response to being shut down by Randy Wolf. Well, not being shut down so much as nailing his weakness but not doing it with runners on base and then being shut down by Randy Wolf, who, to his credit, struck out six against a single walk.

This is not what amounts to real analysis, not even at 12:30, but yes—at some point it would be nice if the Cardinals could get a starting pitcher through the fifth inning without issue. Lohse looked fine until (stop me if you've heard this) he got into trouble with Jerry Hairston and Yuniesky Betancourt, who has become, for me, a much more compelling villain than Nyjer Morgan.

Betancourt is supposed to suck! It's his role! And yet over the past two years he's somehow turned into a better-than-replacement-level shortstop and the destroyer of all established social mores and truths in the postseason. I'm not ready for that. It makes me as melancholy as this picture of Albert Pujols.

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I share your sentiments.

So does this sad tortoise.

"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky

by monkeysareblue on Oct 14, 2011 2:24 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Backs against the wall again!

These Cardinal has made their reputation of winning with their season on the line. They HAVE to treat tonight like it’s game 7. They have to make sure they go back to cheeseland up 3-2. No way around it. We just don’t have the starting pitching to shut these Brewers down in my opinion and we have to have the advantage going back there. It’s all on Garcia. He has to come up big. Sure the bullpen has been great…but they just can’t be depended upon to pitch 4-5 innings every game this series. Jamie has to be near lights out I’m afraid. Let’s hope can stay away from that bad inning (giving up 3+runs). He shut this Brewers team down at Busch earler this year. I hope he studies that game tape!

It’s all on Furcal too! When he gets on base the offense seems to click. I would like to see Jay back in the 2 spot again to set the table for Pujols. I would like to see Berkman in the clean-up spot again. I think Holliday is about to get hot…which could be a game changer for us!

Grenke can be beat on the road. We will have to get to him early though! Jamie it’s time for you to shine!!

Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon

by KYCards on Oct 14, 2011 2:31 AM EDT reply actions

i mean i would have been okay with being eliminated by the phillies

and i won’t be crushed if there’s a loss in the world series. i really don’t want to be knocked out by the brewers, though

#occupysesamestreet

by prophetjohn on Oct 14, 2011 2:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

yeah

Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.

by vivaelpujols on Oct 14, 2011 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah^2

www.stlgatekeepers.com
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"

by rocKStark5 on Oct 14, 2011 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions

The baseball Cardinals of St. Louis shall yet prevail against the vile bearded scum of Wisco heritage

by mojowo11 on Oct 14, 2011 2:45 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

I second that.

I live in Michigan, on the Wisconsin border, and it will be bad for me if the Cardinals lose this series. Everyone around me is a Brewers fan, and when I go to Milwaukee for a game I savor gazing smugly at the Brewers fans as Albert/Yadi/Furcal—this year crush their spirits. I’ve never been there after a playoof victory for the Cards, so if we can win this series I will be able to gaze smugly the whole game. This is very important to me, COME ON CARDINALS!!!!!

Yes, I am socially awkward, why do you ask?

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" ~Jay-Z
CP3 is coming. Quick, hide your Howards!
"Sleeping on me probably in the coffin" - Tyga
Shoutout RALLY SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!

by OnPointLikeCP3 on Oct 14, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Betancourt

If they lose this series, it’s going to be tough to swallow. Yuni Betancourt. Wow.

Hesitate to say that they “must” win Game 5, because winning two games in Miller Park is hardly less likely than making up 10.5 games in the wild-card standings in five weeks. But it sure would be good if they win. Hope Jaime can pitch better.

by Vidor1 on Oct 14, 2011 3:08 AM EDT reply actions

556 AB's this year and 16 walks

that’s… unfathomable. he should never ever see a fastball or even a strike for that matter. just throw him junk out of the zone over and over until he rolls over it or pops it up

by Wombat x on Oct 14, 2011 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Hairston

Has been killing the Cardinals for years on multiple teams.

I shudder to think of the Brewers other chronic Card-killer coming up to pinch hit in a big situation—namely, Craig Counsell.

by olddomination on Oct 14, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions

we'll just send out wainwright, he eats up cardinal killers in the post season...

:-(

www.stlgatekeepers.com
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"

by rocKStark5 on Oct 14, 2011 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Series has been a damn roller coaster

You just know its going to go 7. Whoever wins tomorrow will surely lose game 6. I back that up with nothing, you just know its going to happen though with the way this last month has gone.

by Wombat x on Oct 14, 2011 3:20 AM EDT reply actions

I miss Brendan Ryan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qot94H6-GZk&feature=related

Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.

by vivaelpujols on Oct 14, 2011 3:52 AM EDT reply actions

I'm flagging you for the video containing Ryan Franklin.

Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.

- John Wayne

by Tackle Box on Oct 14, 2011 6:40 AM EDT up reply actions

suck it, cody!

Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.

by vivaelpujols on Oct 14, 2011 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions

well that sucked

Balls

by gdm426 on Oct 14, 2011 3:53 AM EDT reply actions

I thought...

… once the series was 1-1 that it would hinge on the Lohse/Wolf game. Fuck I hope I’m wrong.

by kindred on Oct 14, 2011 3:54 AM EDT reply actions

Also...

…

Furcal
Jay
Pujols
Berkman
Holliday
Freese
Molina
Descalso
Garcia

Molina’s been awful, and needs to be dropped down. Maybe Freese in the 5th spot, actually. Playing Dirty Dan at 2B isn’t much of a defensive downgrade, and Punto has been over-matched this entire post-season.

by kindred on Oct 14, 2011 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I would love to see that lineup

Berkman should be clean-up. It takes the pressure off Holliday and Freese. Although I do think Holliday is just about to break out. I don’t think Tony will start Descalso though as much as it could help the lineup. He values him as the late inning defensive replacement too much. I expect Punto to get the start even though he has been lost at the plate. Furcal is the guy who needs to have a good game to get the line going for Pujols and Berkman.

Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon

by KYCards on Oct 14, 2011 4:32 AM EDT up reply actions

The thing with Holliday is

half the time right now, I seem to have no fucking clue what he’s swinging at. It looks like the Brewers gameplan against him is to bounce the ball on the plate and see if he’ll swing at it.

Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.

- John Wayne

by Tackle Box on Oct 14, 2011 6:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see

Jay
Holliday
Pujols
Berkman
Freese
Yadi
Punto
Furcal
Garcia

Punto basically is Descalso with more experience. Dan probably will hit for a little higher average, but walk a bit less. Punto though has the slickest glove on the team at 2B.

by DiscoJer on Oct 14, 2011 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions

but it's unrealistic that we'd see holliday/pujols/berkman (in no particular order)

before the 3 spot in the batting order. it’s just not going to happen.

HAPPY FLIGHT!!!
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit

by BVHeck on Oct 14, 2011 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm with you, except I want Schumaker go get a start this series.

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" ~Jay-Z
CP3 is coming. Quick, hide your Howards!
"Sleeping on me probably in the coffin" - Tyga
Shoutout RALLY SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!

by OnPointLikeCP3 on Oct 14, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

This is pretty much the best we can hope for IMO

I would put Punto for Descalso though.

Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.

by vivaelpujols on Oct 14, 2011 6:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

Last night was always going to be a huge swing game.

Their 4 bested our 4, plain and simple. Now our “2” has to beat their 1

"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

Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO

by VolsnCards5 on Oct 14, 2011 7:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Don't worry, guys

JAIME WILL SAVE US ALL!

In 2006, the Cardinals lost Game 1 and won Game 2 on the road,
then won Game 3 and lost 4 at home.

And here we are again.

Repeal The LaRussa Tax.

by Michael_68_1999 on Oct 14, 2011 7:19 AM EDT reply actions

Would it be fair to say, whoever wins tonight, wins the series?

We need the return of Hotme….Hitme needs to stay away

Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO

by VolsnCards5 on Oct 14, 2011 7:55 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Also

The return of clutch Yadi happens tonight, right?

Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO

by VolsnCards5 on Oct 14, 2011 7:57 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Pujols contract rumor

So I was watching part of the game here in KC with a couple of folks who grew with Albert and his wife in Independence, even saw him play HS ball, so family friends. I was told that the whole contract amount isn’t coming from Albert, but his family and friends here who still are bothered by where he was selected in the draft. They stated they while they know Albert wants a significant bump in pay, it is the outside pressure who is really pushing for more. I tried to get some more info, but alas I did not get any. You might be wondering who reliable the source is and I have to admit these folks know AP pretty damn good, as in invited to family togethers, here are the pictures good.

Take it for what’s it worth. It would better explain his “struggles” if his family and friends were the source of pressure.

Theriot = what my dog poops out...

by arthropodtodd on Oct 14, 2011 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

I think "what it's worth"

isn’t much.

by sdrone on Oct 14, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope everyone has calmed down a bit

There was a lot of euphoria and “we can win it all at home” yesterday.

by sdrone on Oct 14, 2011 8:32 AM EDT reply actions

I probably fall into that category as well as

feeling like I just got gut-punched while watching Randy Wolf resurrect himself in about the 4th inning last night.

Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.

- John Wayne

by Tackle Box on Oct 14, 2011 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions

something tells me that we'll have to win Game 7

I don’t know why

Sig WIP

by hr on Oct 14, 2011 8:37 AM EDT reply actions

Lets stay positive

Going back to Mil w/ a 3-2 game lead would be great. Oh and I’m going to the game tonight. I don’t want to alarm any brewer fans, but my postseason record is freaking stellar.

Piss off Tony, get shipped to Canada.

by beer me on Oct 14, 2011 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

I'll be at Game 6

Don’t know if I can handle watching a win-or-go-home game in enemy territory — we need a win tonight.

by matt man on Oct 14, 2011 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I really want to be at game 6.

but, alas, I’ll probably watch at home.

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" ~Jay-Z
CP3 is coming. Quick, hide your Howards!
"Sleeping on me probably in the coffin" - Tyga
Shoutout RALLY SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!

by OnPointLikeCP3 on Oct 14, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions