Game 6 Open Thread: April 9, 2006

by lboros on Apr 9, 2006 10:32 AM EDT in St. Louis Cardinals News

ponson marshall
0-0, 0.00 0-0, 0.00

well, that's a shame; the cubs really tried to hand the cardinals a game, and the cards spurned the offer. i'm less concerned about the loss than i am about chris carpenter's back, which will probably loosen up as the weather gets warm . . . . but carpenter also had spasms last september, which forced him to leave his previous wrigley start after 4 innings. no reason to freak out about it at this point, but this is still gonna be on my mind long after i've forgotten today's ballgame.

michael barrett, not an experienced pinch-hitter, says he followed john mabry's example yesterday to get himself prepared for his 7th-inning at-bat vs josh hancock. . . . . .

both encarnacion and miles helped ryan dempster in the 9th inning by hacking at the 1st strike they saw . . . actually, it's debatable whether or not encarnacion ever saw a strike. a modicum of patience and he'd have been ahead 2-0 or 3-0 in front of albert. the free-agent outfielder class of 2006 hasn't distinguished itself so far:

en'cion, 4 for 19
jeromy burnitz, 4 for 22 with 7 strikeouts
jacque jones, 0 for 12 with 6 strikeouts
rondell white, 2 for 19
matt lawton, suspended
ken lofton, disabled

brad wilkerson, an off-season favorite of this blog, is also off to a slow start -- 5 for 27 with 10 strikeouts. detroit's craig monroe, an oft-rumored trade target, is 2 for 20.

april. whatever.

ponson debuts tonight. i don't have such a good feeling; it's unfortunate that his official coming-out as a sober ballplayer has to take place on national tv. good luck to ya, sid.

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Jenc LOB's

Why put LOB in the box scores if you can't find a season stat for this (not at baseball-reference or fangraphs). If TLR gives Jenc enough playing time to go for a record, it sure would be nice to find what those records are. It would also be nice to look at some ratios of RBI vs. LOB to compare some of our favorite players. Any help out there?

Fan for Life. Go Cards.

by Birds on the Bat on Apr 9, 2006 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

wow

I feel for Juan. Honestly, I do. Its been FIVE games and the "best fans in America" already hate him. Its tough to win people over when there is absolutely zero openmindedness.

I guess I just dont understand the worry wart nature. Its not me. Thank God. I realize he hasn't been good in the early going. I'm only upset that he isn't given the same benefit of the doubt as the other 24 guys on the roster are.

I also feel the Birds win tonight. Ponson goes six, gives up three runs. Cards bats wake up. Then you are sitting at 4-2 after road trips to Philly and Chicago, two of the better teams in the NL.

I'll take that every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

by beanocook on Apr 9, 2006 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

Beano...

...I think it's more the superficial resemblance to another recent albatross---the 3/$21million Tino Martinez contract---that has people worried.

The similarities ARE there: glaring hole to fill, mediocre veteran whose production is suspect, long-term contract for a lot of money.

In both cases, most fans were against the deal upon its inception---not because they "dislike" a player, but because they recognize what appears to be a really poor fit. At $2 mil a year as a fourth OF, Juanc is fine. And now the early results--almost all negative, to the point where he's been really the most blatantly bad cardinal at the plate, on the bases, and in the field---seem to so overwhelmingly confirm most fans' firts impressions... well, it's tough to not feel down about the guy.

But I can guarantee you that EVERY Cardinal fan is pulling for the guy and wants to see him do well.

by salvomania on Apr 9, 2006 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

wel put

Salvo. Although I get the feeling when its all said and done he won't be as bad as Tino.

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

miles

Miles was robbed of a double by a great play by Derek Lee.

But yes, i do feel bad for Jinks. I am definitely rooting for him, because unless we can trade him, or duncan or rodriguez or someone else go insane with the bat, our season hinges on how well he performs.

And I'm not gonna cut him any slack at all when he does stupid things, trying to be a hero, that keep pujols from batting with the tying run at second.

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

lineups

changes for the cards --- rolen/edmonds flip-flop, molina hits 6th, and luna gets the start at 2b

STL
eck'n ss
encion rf
pujols 1b
rolen 3b
edmonds cf
molina c
taguchi lf
luna 2b
ponson p

CHI
pierre cf
walker 2b
lee 1b
ramirez 3b
barrett c
jones rf
murton lf
cedeno ss
marshall p

by lboros on Apr 9, 2006 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Welcome to the big leagues, kid

Nice. Rolen just took Jughead deep.

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Ponson's first inning:

Nine pitches, 4-3, 1B, 4-3 DPUA

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

Duh

Just make that a 4-3 DP... my scorekeeping is a still a little rusty.

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm listening on the radio

how does ponson look?

by lboros on Apr 9, 2006 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Sir Sidney

Keeping the ball down, generally good spots.

Not so good at bat :)

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

What he said

He's kept the ball down, but has mostly gotten away with his mistakes.

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

OK...

so he didn't get away with that mistake. Jacque Jones. Home run. 3-2 Cubs. Fudgesicles.

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Early thoughts

Ponson is cruising early. Made one mistake with the hanging curve, but then made a great pitch to shatter a bat and get an easy DP to end the inning.

Marshall is also throwing well for the Cubs. It helps that none of the Cards have seen him, but he's bustin the lower portion of the zone and getting a ton of ground outs.

And my thoughts on Encarnacion's 2 ab's so far ... he is 0-2, but has had a pair of OK at bats. Marshall is just making some solid pitches.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

The curve

He's not getting on top of the curve ball. That pitch (to Marshall) is the third he's rolled up there this inning.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice Play

by Eck. That was <not> easy.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:47 PM EDT reply actions

Jeez...

...that was a terrible through by So. Yikes. A twenty-hopper.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

That would be

"throw." Brain behind fingers.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

and there's Ponson's first cardinal K

even if it is against jughead

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

Good Work

Sir Sidney.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:55 PM EDT reply actions

Ponson

Just a thought, could Ponson be the fattest bird ever? Is he bigger than Howard Hilton? Anybody have an idea who has the tittle of the biggest bird?

----------------------------

Sid gets out of a minor jam... NICE.

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Wasn't

...Foghorn Leghorn a LOOGY for the Birds in the early 70's? He musta gone 6'4", 315...

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't forget Ray King!

King looked a lot bigger at the end.

by sdrone on Apr 9, 2006 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

BMI

El Sid 6'1-225 ---> 29.7
Howard "Hotel" Hilton 6'3-230 ---> 28.7

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

El Sid > 225?

If Sid were only 225, that would be accurate, but he looks 250+ to me.

However, I thought Sid pitched reasonably well (although one mistake got clobbered), he justified the chance he's been given.

The bullpen, however........

by madridbend on Apr 10, 2006 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Mark Buehrle a Cardinal in '07?

I don't know if any of you saw it, but stltoday is reporting Mark Buehrle maybe to the Cards in '07? Nothing is in the works, but evidently he wants to come. What do you all think about it? Story is here: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/D09A13A471B326138625714B0010A020 ?OpenDocument

by MarcGldstn on Apr 9, 2006 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

bad link

link didn't work ... try again?

I'd be happy to see Buehrle join the Cards, cept I'd have to learn how to spell his name. But if we could keep Carp and Marquis, bring on Buerhle and develop Wainwright and Reyes...that could be a nice rotation.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Good AB, Jim

Make the asshole throw pitches at you, get a look at his stuff, and hit the ball.

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 9:03 PM EDT reply actions

Jimmy

Edmonds appears to be bailing on everything and looking to pull the ball. Seems strange considering how good he usually is at going oppo field.

Anyone else notice that?

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:04 PM EDT reply actions

cont...

Even on his single, you could see his hips fly open and then he had to just throw the bat out.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

If he's doing that...

it's bad, b/c that was his explanation for his "down" year last year.

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

As much as we've been ragging on Jenc, edmonds isn't hitting any better this year. Scary.

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Big Play!

Huge DP there on D. Lee. Great play all around from Ponson's pitch to Rolen fielding the tough hop, to Luna's turn and Pujols digging out the throw.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Jacque vs. Sid

I don't like this match up

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

Hey There Swami

Well put. Damn it.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

am i the only one

who thinks a 1-run deficit is not easy for this lineup to overcome?

by lboros on Apr 9, 2006 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

Chin Up,

there, pardner! King Albert, Scotty and JEd have a few more at bats, and lookie, lookie...1st & 3rd, no outs.

Cheer up! (That's an order).

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

no, its not just you

I'm not sure I can still through another Cubs win...

another question - can the bullpen hold a one run game to Izzy?

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I smell a squeeze

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Was that a failed squeeze?

Or just a plain ol' sacrifice?

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Looked Like

...a sac.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Juan's Time!

Jacque finally busted out for the Cubs, here is Encarnacion's chance...bases juiced, 1 out!

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Boy

JuanEnc could win over a LOT of people right here.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

alright Juan

here's your chance....

by nota bene on Apr 9, 2006 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Karma

After Jones gets his first big hit can Juan'cion follow suit?

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Hey - lookie lookie

people I don't want at the plate right now...

I know, I know give him a chance...but I'd much rather see someone other than juancion right now

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

Juancion's not hot, but has had a couple DECENT trips to the plate tonight, so maybe.... JUST MAYBE, he can break out here!

At least we can hope he doesn't hit into a DP so Pujols can get a crack at it with some guys on base for once.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

knock on wood!

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Oy.

Shite.

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

K on ball 4

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

K Zone

Did show it as a perfect pitch. Nevertheless...

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Juancion's K

I have been one of his biggest critics, but that was a solid AB and Wuertz threw a PERFECT slide piece to get him swinging.

Can't blame Juan for that one.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

At least JuanE

didn't ground into a DP.

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

3 more LOB

at least it wasn't GIDP

by madridbend on Apr 9, 2006 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, pretty bad

when you're actually hoping the guy strikes out instead of hitting it somewhere...

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Al-bert Pu-jols!

Can he hit it? Al-bert Pu-jols! Yes he can!

(sung to the tune of the "Bob the Builder" theme)

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

The King

Yes!

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Not that pretty...

but Albie comes through!

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

How About

A GS for JEd? Anyone?

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

Edmonds

Jimmy is 4-22 now, actually worse than Encarnacion so far.

Was their any sign in spring training that these two might struggle like this?

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Jimmy is real streaky

but it is worrisome given his statistical decline last year

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

extremely

If Jimmy isn't producing, this lineup is extremely mediocre. Well as mediocre as a lineup that features Pujols/Rolen in it can be.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

and

a molina who is coming into his prime. And a couple of hungry kids who want to be stars.

Don't give up on these guys too soon!

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yaddy

Yeah, good point. Yaddy should be mentioned as a crucial part of the core. Whatta player he is turning into!

I'm not giving up, or panicking - we'll win the division again.

Go Cards!

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd still like to see more from him offensively

he's got a cannon for an arm but if he'd hit for a little more average ... say 270 and a little more power say 10-15 I'd feel better.

I don't think he's gauranteed to make those numbers at all though

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

pons

So far not too bad for Ponson...hope he can stay off the bottle and get thru the season...or maybe at least the game, i shouldnt ask for too much

by MarcGldstn on Apr 9, 2006 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Replay

showed the runner was out. Jerk.

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

that ump sucks..

I am pretty sure he's the same guy that was behind the plate last night, and if that's the case I'm not at all suprised by that bad call. He's been screwing up on both sides all series. ugh.

by amettrick on Apr 9, 2006 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

i was wrong..

Dale Scott was the man behind the plate yesterday and he's at 3rd today. Dan Iassogna is the ump at 1st today after being at 2nd yesterday. I guess that makes 2 bad umps on this crew.

by amettrick on Apr 9, 2006 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Good to see

the bottom of the order hit well thus far.

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 9, 2006 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

bah,

I spoke to soon. Rodriguez grounds into DP.

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 9, 2006 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah but.

It was a nicely hit ball that would've been a single if hairston hadn't been playing behind second base before the pitch.

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

So

Is nit just me or does So seem to be moving kind of slow? He looks like he's running through jello on ESPN. I dunno, maybe it's just cause it's cold---or maybe it really is just me.

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

I noticed the same thing

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

luna

Second time he's dropped one and had to recover...

by amettrick on Apr 9, 2006 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

That was some K

against Lee for Wainwright. He's just brimming with confidence and having him in our pen makes me feel a little more at ease.

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 9, 2006 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah Wainwright

looked pretty nasty against Lee. Good inning.

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Wainwright

I'm a big fan of his. It will be exciting to watch him over 162 games to see what he does, and hopefully he'll be in our rotation for years to come starting in 07.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

So

i noticed that too about So, he did look a lot slower than normal

by MarcGldstn on Apr 9, 2006 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

Well, I'm

glad I'm not the only one...

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

WTF?

Geez Juan, could you put in a LITTLE more effort into running to first? I mean, I know you're out and all, but talk about be the anti-Eckstein.

by stevenucla on Apr 9, 2006 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

At least that AB

was a good one. He really just got unlucky that Walker didn't break to second (Hey-Joe Morgan actually said something useful!)

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I should clarify "good"

A good AB for him in comparison to what we've seen so far.

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Kind of like a bad AB

for King Albert not getting on base?

by stevenucla on Apr 9, 2006 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

FIRE MCRAE

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

I hate Mabes

in cubbie blue... his uni only looks good in red

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

Kind of got lucky there

looked like Pierre never broke

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

we got a break there.

that wasn't a swing.

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Apr 9, 2006 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

As the ESPN announcers said...

As the ESPN announcers said, Pierre deserved some punishment for looking soooo bad on that pitch.

by madridbend on Apr 10, 2006 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

why was rolen trying to steal 3rd???

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

It was probably a

hit-and-run and Rolen left too soon.

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok...it's Looper-time

man, that is REALLY difficult to say with a straight face...

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

Oops

saw Looper warming up in the 7th...but I guess it's Izzy-time. And remember, we are scoring the save. We never talked about a 2-inning job, though...

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

What does this say about how La Russa feels about

his bullpen???

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel pretty good about it right now.

sigh.

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Izzy?

TLR brings out izzy in the 8th. good move. Get lee and ramirez and let looper deal with the bottom of the order

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

ugh

No confidence in Looper

The MOQUOL--I Can Save You, America!

by Dr Tom More on Apr 9, 2006 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

An Opening Day Wish

Dear TLR: If you must play Juancion for the home opener (I'd rather see J-Rod or Skippy play instead), please, Please, PLEASE don't bat him second in the batting order. It's just too brutal to watch and it's not good entertainment value for my hard earned money.

Baily

by Baily on Apr 9, 2006 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

holy god, izzy

throw a damn strike.

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

well

at least we've set up the triple play

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm feeling ill

by stevenucla on Apr 9, 2006 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

o god o god o god

Izzy please my heart can't take this

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

ok ok ok

1-2 count. Strike this dude out

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...that was tons of fun

at least the raod trip is over!

by cmat on Apr 9, 2006 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

So Glad

I stayed awake for this...

by glennrwordman on Apr 9, 2006 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

Tony blew this

Tomorrow, Mulder hits 8th

by Dr Tom More on Apr 9, 2006 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

I won't say he blew it

but I would have liked to see Ponson pitch one more inning.

He was only at 82 pitches

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

My cats

are now hiding under the bed. And I think my neighbors are about to call the cops.

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 9, 2006 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

did someone switch izzy for ricky bottallico?

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

i hate the cubs

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

watching that replay of the HR pitch

there was zero movement on that ball...no tailing action of any kind

Izzy doesn't throw hard enough to just miss bats like that. I hope he isn't hurt because that was a reallllllly bad outing by him.

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

i hate losing to the cubs

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Barret is now my most hated Cubbie

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

disgusted

these 3 games have been awful. I'm sickened by the performance. All around TERRIBLE.

aaaghhhh

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

though I would still

defend tony's decision to bring in Isringhausen--use your best reliever against the Cubs' best hitters, and let the chips fall as they will against the other guys. It's not tlr's fault that Izzy decided to throw 8 straight balls and a goferball. The unconventional decision to bring in the 'closer' in the 8th and let the '8th inning guy' close out the game is the right one, imo.

But ugh, that was painful.

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

can't blame TLR for this one. CAN blame Rincon and Izzy for SUCKING.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

wonder if Izzy wasn't ready or something

by nota bene on Apr 9, 2006 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

it ain't over yet folks

let's not call it over until it's over.

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 9, 2006 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

shut up dude, its ovah - just got swept in wrigley

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

shut up dude it's ovah?

what happened to playing a hard 9?

Anyway, you are probably right, anyway, one observation is Molina. He has sure let a lot of balls get away. Unfortunately, I don't have cable so I'm listening. Are the pitches that bad, or is he just letting 'em get away?

I'd prefer Yadi's arm over Matheny's ball blocking skill, but this is getting a little nuts tonight

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 9, 2006 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Some of the pitches from Izzy

were no where near where he was set up but the Hancock curveball just seemed to get past him.

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

it

if it's the one the run scored on, it bounced 3 feet in front of home plate... I don't think any catcher in MLB would have come up with it.

But molina wasn't his best tonight, I'll agree.

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

no heart

Hey man,

I am/was only giving up on the game because the team already had. Where was that 'Play a Hard 9' attitude in this series? Where was any proof that any player on the field wearing the STL uni's gave two craps?

That is what has me so angry. Not so much the performance - bc these games, and series happen - but the apparent lack of desire and fight.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

good thing it's april n/t

by nota bene on Apr 9, 2006 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

bleep

i want to cry

by tnek5 on Apr 9, 2006 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

bleep

I want to throw up

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Piling on

How 'bout that Scott "Roger Dorn" Rolen at 3B?

The 26th Man

by 26thMan on Apr 9, 2006 10:59 PM EDT reply actions

well, the only thing to do now

is to introduce the cubs to new busch by sweeping them there...

by Valatan on Apr 9, 2006 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

Well I know this isn't the end of the season

but this has been a really long three games.

It's hard to watch a series like this especially with the Cubbies.

by azruavatar on Apr 9, 2006 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

This series

doesn't bode well for the season...

by Zubin on Apr 9, 2006 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

my thoughts exactly

i would say jinx, but it looks like you beat me by a few seconds. :)

by CougarCard on Apr 9, 2006 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

This doesn't bode well.

Ok, so I know it is extremely early in the season... but this is worrisome. So far the team just isn't the same. No one is fired up, nobody is getting on each other. If this game would've happened last year, I would have fully expected the Card's to mount a furious comeback in the 9th, but mark my words they are going to roll over and die, 1-2-3.

I love the Card's, but I can just see it in them right now. Hopefully they can snap out of it and this series isn't a preview of things to come.. but man, they're giving up this game, just like that gave up last night. It's times like these where they're going to miss Sanders and Walker. I don't care if those guys are older and have lost a step, they wouldn't be sitting there quiet right now. They'd be getting on everybody, and the entire Cardinals team would be fired up right now.

I'm sorry, but even if new additions like Encarnacion manage to rebound and match the stats of last years departures, they're still going to cost the Card's some games.

This is a time where Pujols needs to become a great leader. I'm not saying he isn't a good leader, he is, but the last few years he's been surrounded by other guys that can fire up the team. He was a doing a good job during the Phil's series when everything was going the Card's way, lets see how he responds in times like this.

by CougarCard on Apr 9, 2006 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

change of roles

In this series, the cubbies sure looked alot more like a 105 win team than STL did. They did everything they needed to, refused to quit, got the big hit and big out and STL roled over and died. man i'm so ticked right now.

by TheFranchise9 on Apr 9, 2006 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

.500

3-3, 0.500 on the season, and you act like it's over.

I'm disappointed in a lot of what took place in chicago, but remember: It's brutally cold, it's early april, and we made a few mistakes. The cubs made some great plays; miles was again robbed of a double in the 9th by a great play by a cubs defender, last night lee and tonight murton, and some good things DID come of this series.

We now know that Ponson CAN pitch against some of the best hitters in the league, and get them out, Scott Rolen can make a baseball go really far again, and Wainright looks damn good on the mound (ok, y'all might have known that before, but I've never seen him pitch on tv before tonight).

It ain't over and we're gonna win the division by 5 games or more (but hopefully less, so we're not so damn complacent come october).

by SleepyCA on Apr 9, 2006 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

It is early

I know we're only six games into the season but...

Every season has defining moments. The make-or-break plays that determine where each team goes. Sometimes those moments come in September and October, and sometimes they come in April. Keep in mind that ballplayers are human just like us and probably have a lot of the same thoughts that some of us are having right now. It is very possible that this series will have an effect on the team from this point forward.

I won't be completely negative, they now have a chance bounce back from this. They could go in one of two ways:

1. They use this as a character building experience. True leaders emerge and carry them through the storm, the team meshes together, and we see just what kind of heart this team has.

or..

2. They sulk, they lay blame, and they give up. Or even worse, they quit giving a damn.

I know we all hope its option #1. The thing is, they need leadership. Like I said earlier unless guys step up in the clubhouse, we're going to miss Reggie Sanders and Larry Walker a lot more than we think. Those guys were strong personalities, and thats something I just don't see in this team right now.

And I might as well take this as an opportunity to pile more on Juan. I'm sorry, but the guy is the exact opposite of what this team needs. Everything I said about personalities and leadership... this guy possess none of those qualities. That might be alright if he was nothing more than a roleplayer, but if he plays as vital a role as Tony says, we're in trouble. This guy is a robot, I bet someone could walk up to him, kick him in the nuts, and he wouldn't even blink.

Maybe we can trade him to Tampa for junk.

Anyway, while I think what happened in this series is very important, how this team reacts in the next few games is going to be more important.

by CougarCard on Apr 10, 2006 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions

agree 100%

In fact, if they lose tomorrow I will be very scared. how long has it been since we lost 4 in a row? '03?

by SleepyCA on Apr 10, 2006 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Did you note

that in the season opener footage from 2004 that ESPN showed, where Ponson beat Pedro, that his fastballs were 94 and 96 mph?

That'd sure be handy.

by sdrone on Apr 9, 2006 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Looper

Gee, I'm glad the Cardinals spent all that money on Looper. He's really made quite an impact on the relief corps so far.

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Apr 9, 2006 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

This series disgusts me

and it's not just because I live in Chicagoland.

I lay it right at the feet of Jockety. Great job shoring up the pitching staff.

Man I can't stand this.

The good thing about Juan'cion's at bats? It means Pujols is coming up next.

Rolen sure is a positive, though. Home run, stolen base, defense.

by sdrone on Apr 9, 2006 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

Wait a sec

I could be wrong.

Maybe I should lay this at the feet of DeWitt. ANyway.

I'll tell you. As someone who watched a lot of Cubs games, Pierre and his speed hitting 1st plus Cedeno and his speed hitting 8th makes a HUGE difference in the Cubs lineup.

by sdrone on Apr 9, 2006 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions