lohse	lannan
0-0, 0.00	0-0, ----

Some first week observations:

• First of all, it’s a very good start – very unlike the one the Cubs and Astros are having. No matter how early it is, it’s always good to say we’re tied for first and on a 4 game winning streak.
• The offense is somewhat of a mixed bag to this point. 22 runs in 5 games – less than 4.5 runs per game when facing the likes of Kip Wells, Matt Chico, Aaron Cook, and Odalis Perez is not exactly uplifting. Surprisingly right now, we’re 13th in the majors in slugging. With only 4.4 runs per game, I’d have expected we were much lower. We only have 9 2B’s (tied for 14th) and 3 HR’s (tied for 22nd). Those will come along, I suppose, but that helps to explain our relatively low R/G.
• The best thing about our offense is our OBP – 2nd in the majors (.379) just below the Mets. That’s largely caused by our extremely high walk rate. It’s hard to say, b/c it’s so early, whether it’s the beginning of a trend or just caused by the fact that we’ve faced some pretty bad pitchers. I don’t know if there’s been a change in our hitters’ approach but if so, and it’s a trend, it’s definitely a good one – one that should lead to a lot of runs being scored. So far this year, the Cards are averaging 1 BB for every 7 PA. Last year’s rate was 1BB/12.27 PA – a tremendous improvement. Last year, the Rockies’ pitchers gave up 1 BB in every 12.49 PA and the Nats’ pitchers gave up 1 BB in every 10.92 PA. Last year, the best rate of BB/PA in the majors was the Red Sox’ 1BB for every 9.33 PA so our 1 in 7 is probably unsustainable. Still, if it’s part of an improvement to our offense, it’s a good one and one that’ll lead to a lot more runs being scored.
• This just in: our bullpen isn’t good. I think this has been discussed ad nauseum, most notably in Azruavatar’s series here and here and here. If the first 5 games are any indication, it’s going to be a long year when we see them. McClellan’s done a pretty good job, though he got away w/ some pretty bad location on Friday night. Still, everybody does at one time or another and those outs count just like the hits count that come on good pitches. Even so, he’d hardly be described as the savior if the Nats had hit a couple of those hanging sliders hard and the Cards had lost Friday’s game.

Springer’s hurt, and didn’t pitch well Friday. I guess it was b/c he was hurt and not b/c he was misused by Tony in an 8-3 game. Our lefties have been OK, but then they’ve pitched to a grand total of 8 batters. Franklin’s been scary as well. Izzy, thank goodness, has done fine, though he gave us a few tense moments on Friday.

• Anthony Reyes is neither as good as he looked in his first appearance, nor as bad as he appeared yesterday. He’ll get a couple more opportunities to improve his trade value or make LaRussa and Duncan think they’d like to keep him. I’m betting it’s the former.
• Like Reyes, the starting pitching isn’t as good as it has appeared the first time through the rotation. The combination of Lohse, Looper, Thompson, and Wellemeyer have given up 2 ER in 22.2 IP. They’re not that good. They pitched well but they were also facing the Nationals – a team w/ 3 middle infielders in their starting lineup, one of whom starts in LF, and another of whom, their leadoff hitter, is Christian Guzman. The Rockies, on the other hand, have started the year in a major slump. They’ve scored 8 runs in 5 games. It’s not all b/c of our starting pitching.
• I’m encouraged by Ankiel’s 2 BB in 21 PA. It’s early but this would lead to more than 50 BB for the season – a distinct improvement.
• Relax. Troy Glaus will be OK. As poorly as he’s hit, he does have 2 BB and a 2B in 5 games. He won’t hit for a high average but he will hit for power and be a solid #4 or #5 hitter behind Pujols.
• Pujols – 6 BB and 1 K in 5 games. Don’t worry about the fact that he has 0 HR and only 1 RBI. Pujols is starting out strong – much better than last year’s start. Based on the BB’s and K’s, he could be approaching Bondsian numbers.
• I like the way Barton swings the bat and would like to see him be able to be in the game past the 6th inning.
• Cesar Izturis – say what you want to about him and he did cost the Cards 2 baserunners yesterday by getting caught stealing and by getting picked off. Inexcusable! It’s not as though he’ll make it up by hitting homers. That said, he does have 5 BB in 5 games. It’s an unsustainable rate for a guy who won’t be pitched around, but it does display a pretty good batting eye and patience.

It’s been a very good start and I hope it can continue. LB addressed, a month ago, the early season schedule and how auspicious it is for the Cards. They need to take advantage of it. I think our expectations are lower this year, so a pretty good year would be exciting in St. Louis.

Let’s finish off a sweep today. I’ll be up later to add an overflow thread if one is needed. Hopefully, it’s good stuff we’re discussing.