St. Louis Cardinals 5 vs. Atlanta Braves 3: Nick Punto's spite-hitting
by DanUpBaby on Apr 30, 2011 1:32 AM EDT
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PrintApparently the more I harrass Nick Punto for being a bad hitter, the more likely he is to put together ostentatious displays of timely hitting while still not being a good hitter. The nice thing about Punto, besides the fact that he tripled a few hours ago to put the Cardinals ahead of the Braves for good, is that he's a very polite bad hitter; it's clear that he is both aware of his limitations and forced, nevertheless, by an unwelcome trick of baseball fate to come to bat once every nine times, so he takes a lot of pitches, draws plenty of walks, and continues to play excellent defense in the meantime.
But he still shouldn't ever be a leadoff hitter, unless he starts taking Max Bishop lessons.
Chris Carpenter doesn't have any wins, and he looked exceptionally hittable for a guy allowing three runs in seven innings, but his velocity is still great and his gameplan looks identical to the one he's had since his 2009 comeback, so I'm not ready to be worried—especially when the call is to be worried for a guy with a K:BB ratio of 2.9 who's allowed a lot of home runs to date.
As for the bullpen shuffling, I have no idea what this means for who pitches in the average ninth inning, and no particular concern about it, but it does seem increasingly unlikely that Tony La Russa will part with either Eduardo Sanchez or Fernando Salas, given the way he's used both and the way each has responded. I would not be shocked if we saw the brief and unwelcome return of the 13-man bullpen when Brian Tallet was ready to go.
Athlete turn-of-phrase report: Trever Miller earns some points for this, via Matthew Leach: "I will take anything right now," Miller said. "I've been a goat for five games in a row, and I don't like the taste of grass at all, so I'll take that."
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That's actually exactly how I feel about Punto
And even beyond his approach, he just looks un-cocky, with his schlubby beard and atrocious stance.
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
He's a really good fielder who can't really hit
TBH I think he’s somewhat filled that Boog-shaped hole in the roster, which I guess was kinda the point.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 30, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
nice caption
Anecdotally it seems like Carpenter is giving lots of fly balls and they’re going for homers, going back to some time last year I think.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
*giving up lots of fly balls
….anyway, also there’s the thing with Carp recently where he looks like shit early and settles down and still gets to the 7th.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
He's always been a bit susceptible to that.
If you’re going to get to him, get him early.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Apr 30, 2011 4:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Anecdotally also
his stuff doesn’t seem quite as sharp this year either. The two bombs last night looked to be off high-ish fastballs that he’s blown by people in the last couple of seasons, and I’m not sure his curve looks like a really top out pitch anymore. I’m sure he’ll still get by, but I’m not expecting any more than the 3-4WAR year he put up last season…
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 30, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Trever Miller, though he's been frustrating this year
seems like a very cool, down to earth guy who genuinely wants to do his best and takes responsibility when things go poorly. I’m really hoping he can pull it together.
My favorite words are goodbye, and my favorite color is red
Wallace stolen base.
Bottom of the second. Walrus takes off. Low pitch, swing and miss. High throw. Just sneaks in. Clean steal.
I saw it with my own eyes.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 30, 2011 1:40 AM EDT reply actions
You've been away for like 2 weeks
Skip Schumaker is a scapegoat
by vivaelpujols on Apr 30, 2011 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions
that would surprise me
anybody in school is dealing with finals and rumors of finals. some of us are spending way too much time covering the nfl draft.
i forgot about the finals thing, but it was still not as active as it has been the past few months before finals & the season started
do you have to cover the draft? because i think i would kill myself if i had to watch berman that much
Balls
yeah
I think I topped 6000 words on it last night, all of them boring except for the ones that got Eagles fans pissed at me. Luckily I can calm down for the remaining rounds.
do you know how has Dallas done so far?
i haven’t heard anything about them so i’m guessing Jerry blew it
Balls
an offensive lineman in the first round, tyron smith
it seemed like a lot of people expected them to take prince amukamara there, but it didn’t happen. they picked demarco murray in the third round, and the cowboys blogger at sb nation thinks that means marion barber is done there, which I wouldn’t know anything about.
that sounds like Jerry, he's always got to prove he's smarter than everyone
i should read blogging the boys more often, but they are just so hard core & serious about football. it’s just too much.
marion barber has been tweeting like he’s leaving all off season. at least i think that’s what he’s doing. he’s always yelling & quoting the bible so who knows
Balls
did you do a Rams draft summary?
/too lazy to search
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
I didn't, though I'll probably do something tomorrow
I don’t really know much about football, so I try to stay out of the analysis, especially because the TST guys do it so well.
I'm about 75% of the way thru a bottle of wine
….check that, 80%.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
it's Eckstein
in the immediate aftermath of the 06 WS and winning the yellow Ferrari or whatever it was.
The context of course is that Eckstein basicallt doesn’t drink, and the look on his face is priceless.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
Well, once you give a guy a kidney,
he might as well get your sportscar
by Lambtron on Apr 30, 2011 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
well said
(the car shoulda been Rolen’s, but so it goes)
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
according to wiki Rick, the nats hitting coach, gave his to the other brother Ken
did David give one to his dad?
Balls
tequila is pretty harsh for somebody that doesn't know what they're
about to get themselves into.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Apr 30, 2011 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm sipping
been working on this since about the fifth inning of the game
PS Dude you have missed some wacky fuckin baseball the last couple weeks….
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
so i've heard, i hate this but its just the way it is
it looks like i’m going to miss most of the season. bright side it should be because i’m working, not because i can’t afford to watch it
Balls
Where did you get a job at?
Congrats, btw.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Apr 30, 2011 4:22 AM EDT up reply actions
nothing yet, i probably shouldn't jinx it but i have an offer for a grocery store
and one for chipolte, i’m trying to get both schedules worked out. problem is the chipolte hasn’t opened yet & the store wants me to get into their management/quasi ownership program where i’d have to sign a long term contract after a few months & i really don’t want to do that. i’ll know more monday morning about it, but it looks promising. they like the fact i’ve already started the ball rolling on college courses.
Balls
Well, here's to ya, man.
Sounds like you’ve at least got some decent prospects. I wonder what kind of long-term contract they would have you sign? I know nothing of that type of world.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Apr 30, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd take on the Chipotle program, especially if you're going to be paid for it
That’s security, man
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
no the grocery store is the one with the program
it’s giant eagle, they are only in penn & ohio i think. chipolte would just be part time at nights & weekends till i start culinary school. sorry for the confusion
Balls
I hate watching DVR-delayed ballgames.
I’ve had to do that for every game this week, except yesterday’s epic showing of runs and naughty content.
The biggest bummer when you watch the game later is you have to stay away from any part of the web that might mention the Cards score and spoilers, and this certainly includes VEB. It’s always good to get the “live” recap by reading through the blog later, though.
/End CSB
This has pretty much been my life
for the past five years. I’ve been working nights and I live on the west coast. Recently I got into a schedule that actually allows me to watch west coast road games live and sneak out of work early occasionally for others though. And no DVR for me. In 2011 I’m still a VCR/SD guy.
I have a hate relationship with the Cardinals' roster makeup decisions. | Cards on Cards
by madding on Apr 30, 2011 3:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I tried to approximate "live" tonight
it was after 11 when I woke up and I was careful to get the archive of the game going without seeing the score. To my surprise, when the screen came on, I see Miller on the mound? wtf
and the next pitch hammered to left field, which amazingly enough Holliday catches.
Game over in like 60 seconds for me, and more amazing I hear that it is Punto who knocks in the winning runs.
Crazy year.
That's always the trick, opening the thread without seeing the box score.
And getting the tv going without looking at or hearing the live broadcast, if I forgot to change the channel away from FSN after I set up the tape.
what the hell
I’m certain this is old news, but I just found out that Oakland’s Coliseum was just renamed Overstock.com Coliseum.
just for shits & giggles
I was looking at the 06 WS team by OPS….
Rolen 1.213
Yadi 1.029
AP .895
Eck .891
Jed .703
Wilson .629
Duncan .550
Miles .452
So .432
Spiezio .200
Encarnacion .111
Belliard .000
baseball is a funny game
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
yup
Eckstein actually outslugged Pujols (it was only 5 games, though….)
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
As far as I am concerned...
Carpenter is getting what he deserved. At least 3 of those hits would have been outs by just about any other SS in baseball.
If you’re going to run a guy out of town, make sure you don’t need his defense.
Then wouldn't he deserve a win or two?
Or are you saying he’s pitching well enough to get ND’s? Not a winner, not a loser.
wasn't it more Albert & Yadda that got Boog traded?
Carp was on record saying Boog was the best SS he’s ever had. i know he pissed him off, but i thought he really liked him
Balls
I think it was more Mo
with an assist from TLR.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
the cat has said on his radio show there were vets who went to TLR & Mo
the other host tim mckernan who’s buddies with Edmond’s said he was told the same thing. neither one will say who the vets were, but Bubbles & Franky have both said on their show Boog rubbed some leaders the wrong way & that’s why he was traded.
no matter the reason, disco is right, Boog would get to balls theriot won’t even try to go get, he won’t even think about going after them
Balls
tough to find playing time for a guy hitting .223/.279/.294
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
so true, i wonder if he had never worked with Big Mac
if he would have been able to repeat 2009?
Balls
Boog in Seattle update
Started 22 of 27 games. Batting .192.
Fielding % .974 (same as 2010 season total.)
I’m not a Saber Rattler, but Zone rating and Range factor seem on par with career numbers.
Hope the guy can get some hits to fall in. I like a zany character or two on a team, you just can’t have too many of them.
as I understand it
Carp was one of Boog’s fans. He said something about I want that guy playing SS when I’m pitching. The late season lecture on ESPN was overblown….Boog got traded cause he can’t hit to save his life.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
shhhhh, the dead horse has no options left
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
why is it more aggrevating to watch theriot not get to balls than it was to watch Boog make outs?
Balls
because he was surrounded by other guys making outs.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I think you're doing Theriot a disservice there
those three balls he dove to would all have been great plays by any stretch of the imagination if he’d made them. I don’t think he’s especially good but to say they were all “routine” is a bit unfair.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 30, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Scrappy
the birds need more of three things: scrappiness, gutsiness, heads-up-iness and scrapgutsiness.
is that four things? well sue me.
the point is, Punto has these things in spades. this is why we are in first place. this is what can’t be measured on a stat sheet, friends. put down your calculators. go outside and bang your heads against the wall. if you bleed yet feel liberated, you have achieved scrapgutsheadsupiness.
Gadzooks, old man! What in heavens for?
If you bleed
then that is all you’ve managed to accomplish, besides a mild concussion. Punto is exactly what his stats say he is. an excellent defender that doesn’t hit much. He was 1 for 6 last nite, which, incidentally, is lower than his career batting avg. So one could say that he was “due” to hit at least one.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Apr 30, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
The throw last night by McCann to get Colby CS
is one of the best I think I’ve ever seen from a catcher. He got such a great jump, the release had to be quick and the throw basically perfect, and it was.
Still bitching to contact.
Yeah, that was incredible.
I just watched the condensed game, and in that they showed like three replays of that throw. Deservedly so – that’s as close to perfect as a CS gets.
I was right behind the plate for that one. It was a picture perfect throw.
I was shocked because watching the Braves, which I do a lot, that is NOT historically one of McCann’s strongest suits.
Kudos to him on that one, and apologies for the awful names I called him under my breath.
by RollBirdsRoll on Apr 30, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
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