Game 16 Open Thread: April 20, 2007
by lboros on Apr 20, 2007 8:25 AM EDT
in St. Louis Cardinals News
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Printi refer you back to this post.
how disgusted is kip wells right about now? after all those years trapped in pittsburgh, pitching for inept teams, he finally gets an opportunity to show what he can do with a decent defense behind him and a little run support to back him up . . . . he must feel like the pirates all tagged along with him to his new team. maybe this is all his fault; maybe he checked his losing baggage through on the flight to st louis. wells played a great game yesterday but lost because he got absolutely no help. he generated the entirety of his team's offense --- scored both of the runs, supplied the only rbi, and got 2 of the 5 hits --- and had a stellar outing derailed when his first baseman dropped a routine throw, allowing the leadoff hitter to reach base in the 5th. on the very next pitch, wells' rightfielder misplayed a ball off the fence so badly that ryan klesko had time to chug all the way around to third base; the next hitter reached on another error, a throw in the dirt that pujols normally digs out.
we nitpicked pujols' hitting on wednesday and his baserunning on thursday; today's friday, so it must be time to nitpick his glovework.
at worst, those three batted balls should have resulted in two outs and a baserunner on third, with st louis still leading 2-0; instead the lead was gone and wells had thrown 14 pitches without recording an out. prior to that sequence he had faced the minimum, retiring 12 men on 53 pitches; he would need 57 pitches to get through the next 2 innings. he became increasingly errant as he tired, mislocating his pitches even when he threw strikes. the outcome was not surprising --- a loss that wells hardly deserved.
the team deserved it, though. after bearing down to win 6 of 8 games against houston pittsburgh, and milwaukee, the cardinals have completely lost focus --- mental errors, wasted at-bats. they've mustered just 23 hits in the last 4 games --- 19 of them singles --- to fall to dead last in the nl in both batting (.232) and slugging (.331). it would be nice to blame it all on taguchi and schumaker and miles, but gooch and miles currently rank 4th and 5th on the team in slugging --- just behind gary bennett. and schumaker, terrible though he is, has the same number of extra-base hits as spiezio and edmonds --- in fewer at-bats. calling up john rodriguez and/or ryan ludwick certainly couldn't hurt --- i mean come on, what are they waiting for? --- but it's not going to solve anything. the problem is that edmonds, rolen, pujols, and spiezio are hitting a combined .194 with no power. la russa is concerned; jocketty says give it time.
i think they're both half-right. pujols and rolen will come out of it; edmonds and speeze, i'm not so sure. speezer saved the cardinals last autumn, but before 2006 he'd topped the .800 ops mark only once in a 9-year career; all the projection instruments pegged him as a .250ish hitter with a .730ish OPS, and so far that looks about right. as for edmonds, he hasn't been himself since mid-2005, when his creaky shoulder (the same one he had surgery on this off-season) began bitching in earnest. of his 9 hits this year, 2 have been infield singles and 3 have gone the other way; his lone extra-base hit was a double slapped down the left-field line. jimmy has displayed no evidence this year that he can still pull the ball with power; it's early, and he got a late start, but if there's a reason to panic about the cardinals it's edmonds. "the fate of the st louis offense may rest in his hands," i wrote in my season preview at the Hardball Times. scary thought.
they're gonna have to make a trade.
onward now to chicago, where the cardinals were swept three times last year (once by the chisox). they face a left-hander, ted lilly, who has walked just 3 and struck out 24 in his first 3 national league starts. forecast calls for warm temps: 60s and 70s, sunny. good hitting weather. odds and ends:
- both starters today have 2.37 eras.
- former mizzou pitcher max scherzer, chosen 11th (by arizona) in last year's draft but still unsigned, has taken a cue from luke hochevar and signed with an independent league team. he'll go back into the draft pool in june.
- azruavatar has got the full report from the farm at Future Redbirds. speaking of ryan ludwick --- he mashed two homers yesterday and is at .327 / .371 / .582 on the season.
- somebody's sweet on the cardinals' ball girls (or cheerleaders, or whatever).
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Comments
Morning Commute....
The problem is that I don't believe we have ANYTHING that another team would want and we would be willing to give up. Encarcion or Looper come to mind first, and would imagine that they would only command a middling prospect at best. Maybe Kip Wells, but again, a pitcher on one year contract only commands a fringy type, ala Terry Evans. (Yes, I understand that Wells' numbers will be better than Weaver's were, but not so much as to replace Terry Evans with Cameron Maybin, or similarly well regarded prospect.)
We might be reduced to, "Wait til next year." and, "Let's see what the kids can do for the last few weeks."
And we'll live.
In a perverse way, I'm glad to know that lboros is worried about Jimmy too. I'm happy we didn't just cut him after last year, but a two-year deal for a center fielder of his vintage?...what was wrong with just picking up his option and letting him ride off into the sunset this year?...
Whip out your VEB t-shirts, fellas
Lackluster Flyhawks Of Recent Memory
Ranging back to '86 (a bad year), I offer McGee(.776), Coleman(.581), VanSlyke(.795), Ford(.682) and Landrum(.562); a tandem of good/decent outfielders all having bad/subpar years. Collectively, the five put up a paltry 24 hr and 184 rbi, most of that thanks to A.V.S. ... all in all, not much to write home about.
This '07 aggregation is well on the way to eclipsing those thin numbers. Personally, I gauge the desperation of this situation by the number of times J-Rod's name is invoked in this post. Geez!
this habit of mine -
You're right. '78 = bad.
Now, instead let's focus on today's chances of solving another southpaw in the midst of this crushing slump.
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
This Pujols kid
I've got a bad feeling the Cards will make Ted Lilly look worthy of his salary this afternoon. If they do the same with Marquis tomorrow, I will officially be concerned.
New Poster
First, I have to say thanks to lboros for the site. I've been a long-time reader, but have always put off creating an account in a feeble attempt to remain detached and (semi)productive at work....sigh.
So now I've caved and am looking forward to being a small part of this solid group. I was a big user of the stlcardinals.com message boards and had some good discussions there, but it is so overrun with spam and non-baseball discussion that I left.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to contributing to the board.
Welcome aboard
by RosevilleRedbird on Apr 20, 2007 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
A'Pu and ScoRoo
If anyone is interested I'd really like some help in comparing some of Albert's swings. I think I can do the video, tho somewhat crudely. However I need appropriate at-bats (swings) to compare... Suggestions are appreciated!
Swiss Army knives
In an ideal world, TLR likes to run a certain numbers of regulars out every day, plus one or two platoons. He likes his bench to consist of guys who can do a little of everything: play good defense; play several positions; bunt and/or hit-and-run; provide some speed, etc. Our bench is full of these guys now, and it has been since TLR came to St. Louis. These are guys who have all the tools, just in a diminished form -- sort of like those crappy tools they put on Swiss Army knives which theoretically give you, for example, the ability to punch holes in leather. Over the past few years, we've rarely had a guy on our bench who is a one position, power bat -- and generally that's served us well.
The Swiss Army guys make sense when they are truly functionining as bench/role/situational players. But when we are suffering through injuries, and guys like Taguchi, Schu, Wilson (who really should never start against a RHP), and even Speez are starting, the limitations of this approach are exposed. Right now, given the injuries to Enc and JED, we need to place less of a premium on the putative multi-dimensionality of our back-ups, and more on their ability to hit and just to play the position we need. Thus, we would be better off with J-Rod and even Ludwick over Schu, Taguchi, etc., but the team hasn't adapted and modified the bench.
Dunno, maybe a dumb theory that wasn't even worth wasting one subway ride's worth of thoughts. Maybe our players just suck, so we are losing.
i think it's well put tdawg
What else you gonna do on the subway?
Lilly will tear us up today I fear. He's been good his first few outings.
I think the leather punch is the awl
Wilson is the corkscrew -- basically useless and you can't figure out why it's there (who uses a corkscrew when camping? probably the same people who viewed PW as a good off-season acquisition), but it can be useful if you try really, really hard
To me, Taguchi and Schu are more like the awl -- every time I look at that thing, I wonder what the fuck it's supposed to be for.
Or maybe one
Wilson is getting better, though. It took him 5 or 6 pitches to get out yesterday.
schumaker
i think i'd a had better luck with the corkscrew.
Fish Scaler story...
I wanted and got one of those really fancy Swiss Army Knives for my tenth birthday, with the understanding that I wouldn't use it unless an adult was around and I took a knife safety class. (Seriously, they have those.)
Long story short, I ended up playing with thing, carving on a Lincoln Log. I was using the fish scaler, because it was the biggest blade in the knife, and almost cut the tip of my pointer finger off. I ran around the house screaming, shooting blood everywhere, in which was not one of my finer moments, as my family likes to point out.
About ten years later, an ex and I were visiting my parents and my brother and were heading to dinner. She happened to catch a glimpse of the scar and asked me what happened to my finger. Without missing a beat, I replied, "Hunting accident."
My family laughed for a good eight or nine blocks before someone could actually catch their breath to explain to her why that was so funny.
Oh, sure...
Safety"
I read that when I reached the rank of Pussy Willow.
dying
by bigcardsfan5 on Apr 20, 2007 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually....
Hey, I know what the awl is for.
Better off without SoTag
Gotta do something
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 10:23 AM EDT reply actions
Spezio vs. Aurilia
Rolen
Or just
by Hollywood15 on Apr 20, 2007 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Management will do nothing
Last season, I fear, will lead to doing nothing this season. It's going to be a long summer.
on my way to the game
Another First Time Poster
Been a loyal reader of the collumns for a while now and love this site. It is a daily read for me and I appreciate all the work lboros, Valatan and the others do to bring us such great info. And now, on to my Pujols rant...
I realize we are still in April, however, the manner in which we are losing these games and the mind numbing offensive production of this team make me very concerned. I was at last Sundays game against the Brewers, the alleged "breakout game" for Pujols. Outside of the two at bats he homered in he looked like a little leaguer up there even though Sheets was clearly struggling with his command. Most disturbing was his second at bat. He was fooled on EVERY pitch. Watching Albert throughout his amazing career so far I have never seen him look that bad during an entire at bat. My wife even noticed how bad he looked and commented on it. Above all, Alberts performance at the plate is what scares me the most about this team. This isn't something that just started, he has been hitting like this all spring and even since the start of the playoffs last year. Pujols stats from the start of the playoffs until today are...
46 Hits in 180 ABs for a .255 average with 9 HRs. That comes out to 1 HR per every 20 ABs. To put that in perspective, last season he hit 1 HR per every 10 ABs and through his whole career in the majors has hit 1 HR in every 13 ABs. Albert's power way down + not seeing the ball well at all = trouble for this team. When everyone else was struggling last season, Pu took the whole team on his back and pretty much single handedly won many ball games. Without his stellar production, we might as well be the Devil Rays, who by the way have the same record as the Cards and have scored 31 more runs.
Don't mean to put such a negative slant on my first post, so I will end it on a positive note. We won the World Series last year so I will take that as a way to ease my pain of this season so far and the potential season we have ahead of us. Oh yea, and the starting rotation even minus Carp is performing beyond expectations. Hooray, I just feel bad for them, especially Wells. Even the Pirates have scored 2 more runs than us this season so far. Ooops, there I go with the negative again... sorry.
Agreed
Remember when he was a deadly hitter to all fields? Recall that Homerun Derby show he put on a few yrs back (in Detroit maybe)- he hit linedrive HRs from right to left and simply tore it up. Then it seemed like everyone took notice, stroked the ego a lot, and he morphed into a dead-pull hitter.
Now instead of taking that pitch on the outer half of the plate to right-center for a double, he tries to yank it and ends up pounding it into the ground to SS. I don't have a chart at my fingertips, but it seems like a valid memory/observation.
Add the fact that he IS the offense on most days and maybe he presses even more. Look, the dude puts up the numbers, so who can complain but your stats (and my quick and dirty synopsis of my observations) suggest that he's struggled mightily in recent memory.
Maybe he has vision issues
Maybe it's just not as crazy good as it used to be (because of age or who knows) and now he's struggling to adjust to the loss of this advantage or something.
by dontEATnachos on Apr 20, 2007 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Reason to worry?
Juan will help a little and Rolen will hit some but that won't fix the problem that this offense is just plain bad and needs help. To expect a lot out of Spiezio is just plain foolish. Ludwick and Rodriguez aren't the answer -- they'd be better than what we have but almost anything would be. For the So haters, maybe you've missed that he's one of our better hitters right now -- and a much better player than either Wilson or Skip. I'm not sure what the answer is but I sure do know what the problem is.
Yeah...so what's that mean?
I would've liked to have seen us make a play for Vernon Wells when TOR was (supposedly) dangling him. He didn't sign for much more than Jimmy's 10 mil-plus per year; now Jimmy's contract looks like one of the worst signings of the off-season.
What it means is
Will Walt do something? Who knows? The team needs an upgrade at several positions -- 1b isn't one of them. Pujols hit a lot of grounders to 3b last year, when his OPS was over 1.100. He's on a pace to hit 40 or 45 homers again this year. He'll be fine. The offense isn't struggling b/c of Pujols, it's struggling b/c he is now forced to carry the offense and, right now, he's not doing it. It's an unfair burden for him to carry and to suggest that the offense is not scoring b/c he's hitting too many grounders to 3b is simply wrong.
Odds and ends
And once again I have to say, Pujols bat speed is not the problem.
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player_media.jsp?player_id=405395
4.19.07 HR against the Giants (make sure you get the video not audio). The side view again: his bat isn't slow. That's a pitch on the black. He's not a true .190 hitter with that swing.
goold has a great analysis
http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/sports-bird-land/2007/04/scherzer-the-last-of-his-kind/
i dislike scherzer
Didn't that exact thing happen to some
Matt Harrington
And I'd be really surprised if Scherzer got bombed in indy leagues. He is absolutely filthy.
Matt Harrington
(Might be wrong on the years--didn't doublecheck.)
Looper
I can't even imagine how terrible we would look now if we were having these same offensive woes, and Looper and Wells were the busts some thought they would be (myself included, at least with respect to Looper).
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
I can only hope you're correct
by 300milesNWisabadteam on Apr 20, 2007 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Jimmy Ballgame
To be honest, there really wasn't much available as a replacement in center during the off season so bringing him back wasn't a total stretch. Now, he did get a late start and will at some point (I hope) get better, but I just don't see him being here again next season.
I'm reminded
Edmonds
I would have prefered to save the money, and do some kind of Juan for Dunn trade. I'd just love for our line-up to be
Eckstein
Duncan
Pujols
Dunn
Rolen
I mean, gosh, ...
by redbird2006in on Apr 20, 2007 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Um...
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear ya but...
2nd year is junk
What do the birds do about a CF for next year since Rasmus isn't going to be even near ready and I don't see Ankiel being our everyday CF?
Hard to tell
andruw jones
If this season is nothing like last season
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 1:37 PM EDT reply actions
On a positive note...
Us too.
Driving...
Man...
1.) Pujols isn't the only star slumping. Several of the games top sluggers right now are hitting right around the mendoza line to start off the season.
2.) Our team is no worse than the Astros, and they are on fire right now after starting 1-6, and their is no reason to believe our boys can't get hot and go on their own tear, they just need to start clicking.
3.) The main problem with this team is that bench players are getting starting spots because of TLR's infatuation with L/R matchups. So Taguchi, Aaron Miles, Skip Schumaker and Scott Spezio should never ever start more than one game a week IF that.
Just relax everyone. I can be a pessimist to (and i've already vented many times already this year), but we are only 14 games into a 162 game season. Once the team starts clicking, and it will happen, things will look better. I still believe this team can win 90 games.
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 20, 2007 1:40 PM EDT reply actions
Very Good Points...
Now, if we go out and light up Marquis tomorrow, I will be very very happy camper and will wipe the slate clean.
I understand...
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 20, 2007 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Lineups
St. Louis
D. Eckstein ss
C. Duncan lf
A. Pujols 1b
S. Rolen 3b
J. Edmonds
P. Wilson rf
Y. Molina c
A. Kennedy 2b
B. Looper p
Chi Cubs
R. Theriot 2b
C. Floyd lf
D. Lee 1b
A. Ramirez
M. DeRosa
J. Jones cf
H. Blanco c
C. Izturis ss
T. Lilly p
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 1:40 PM EDT reply actions
If any of those players come close
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
that's what i like to see
Trotting out our best lineup
I kind of fear that we are in the middle of one of those 2006-patented 8-game losing streaks, though :(
Wow! THREE lefties in the
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 20, 2007 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice to see Dunc...
Yay
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
What is the record for team GIDP?
Why wasn't Pujols running???
by Ignatius J Reilly on Apr 20, 2007 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
Because if he had run -
One way or another - it's gonna be a twin-killing.
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
You've heard the 'Butterfly Effect'
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Hold on Braden
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
Another GIDP
A little leniency for Scotty Ro, though, because I've dealt with food poisoning and he's not 100% right now, even if he is playing. He is still weak.
Agreed...
Otherwise, it's a few days.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
So, the Cards are a rehab spa -
I'd rather have some winning baseball, frankly.
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
well
The guy is sick, he gets sick days. My job is the same way.
I don't want sick players in the lineup -
Signed,
Frustrated and Impatient Cardinal Fan
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotta love Cliff Floyd throwing his bat
Nice job, Willie Mays Hayes. That one isn't going to have the distance.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:32 PM EDT reply actions
lol thx for the picture
Runners 1st and 3rd now
Anyone know why we were shading a player who a season ago was one of the best hitters in baseball to only pull the ball?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:36 PM EDT reply actions
I would LOVE
But I think what the Cardinals need is an above average OBP guy who won't cost much. Think Juan Encarnacion only better. There are lots of players to fit this kind of mold. I'm talking about the Milton Bradley, Mike Cameron types.
by VORP is too nerdy on Apr 20, 2007 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
No
We might as well take a run at a D-Ray, or like you said, Burrel. Honestly, though, I'm starting to care less and less. It's like when we got Weaver last year. I'm not going to be that picky, as long as we get SOMEONE to get this offense moving. Right Field is a black hole right now.
Looks like the
by VORP is too nerdy on Apr 20, 2007 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
What an absurd play
DeRosa grounds sharply to Rolen, who throws to Kennedy at 2nd for the lead out and Kennedy throws it wide to Pujols at 1st. It looked like Pujols tagged DeRosa in the 1st base line, umpire signals safe, Pujols protests as he runs towards DeRosa who apparently went through 1st base but had rounded it a bit towards second. Thus, Pujols tagged him out AFTER he touched 1st base.
Did the run score?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:40 PM EDT reply actions
DeRosa missed 1st base
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
We finally catch a break
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Why did the ump call him safe anyways?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Ump butchered that play...
by Ignatius J Reilly on Apr 20, 2007 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Question
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction
I'm just going to stop posting for a while, although I would love to hear a response to my question.
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
Usually you see it on plays at the plate, where a guy tries to avoid the catcher and misses the plate.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Similar Play
I agree that it probably isn't the correct call, but I'm pretty sure I've seen it before.
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
You might be thinking of
Either way, if there is no tag and the runner has not reached the base, there should be no signal.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
nonsense
Well that was interesting
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 2:40 PM EDT reply actions
I'd Love Nothing More Than For The Cards -
But ya gotta admit, there's nothing but Blind Faith indicating this team is going to win today.
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
nothing but blind faith indicating we'll win?
If you are talking about the band, then I guess I don't really know how to interpret it - are there specific lyrics you're referring to?
by BTown Birds fan on Apr 20, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Had To Cry Today
(just kidding - you're right, the Cards DO have a chance today, sometimes it just doesn't seem like they do)
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I'd feel better about our chances too
by BTown Birds fan on Apr 20, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm impressed with Molina's progress
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:44 PM EDT reply actions
Who needs pop ...
I swear, he could turn a ground rule double into a single.
by dontEATnachos on Apr 20, 2007 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Just...awful...
Love the Gameday on Edmonds at bat
Foul
Called Strike
Yep, seems about right at this point for Jimmy.
Duncan
I really like the guy, but sometimes he doesnt make it easy (to stand up for him, when so many knock him)
That was a pretty tough play
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
eh
But you just look dumb when the ball bounces off your glove
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Whatever
Yeah. Dumb.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
someone
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
it was a tough play
E-7....
by Ignatius J Reilly on Apr 20, 2007 2:51 PM EDT reply actions
and you're an annoying fan.
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 20, 2007 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
What's this? The Rah RAh RAh Section?
by Urban Pawnee on Apr 20, 2007 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Loop
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 2:56 PM EDT reply actions
Hal Mcrae should spend less time
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
or maybe
with his first hit of the year,
How is Lilly's windup not a balk?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Sorry, not windup
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Lefties from the stretch,
Hands throwing up frustrating.
it is awful
It'd be nice to see Lilly
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 2:59 PM EDT reply actions
Or not.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Dive towards the chalk
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Duncan for Gold Glove
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:04 PM EDT reply actions
hey ;-)
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
HA!
Say something bad about Pujols.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
boo
When you pop up it makes you look silly.
Rolen you too ;-)
(p.s. How did I have two 3b's out sick the other day?)
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Crazy Idea
Tony and Sweet Lou are apparently
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Lloyd McClendon
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
beat me too it
(i cant imagine them being friends)
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
TLR and Baker
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
and besides that TLR has to agonize for days..
by Ignatius J Reilly on Apr 20, 2007 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Pitchers hitting better than our position players
Everyone else:
112 for 486, for a .230 average
Our pitchers also have a better AB/HR ratio:
(25 to 1) vs (60 to 1)
Updated through the 3rd inning of today's game.
by redbird2006in on Apr 20, 2007 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
Duncan's dive for those at work
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions
Edmonds should guess fastball
Every pitch.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
I hope not
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
It hurts
We should trade for DeRosa
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:20 PM EDT reply actions
Lbros
P-dub longball
I wonder what kind of Vegas odds I could get on that?
No, but that was a great at bat
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
How difficult is it to walk P-Dub?
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 3:25 PM EDT reply actions
Come on Loop
First time
Perhaps you've fogotten the triple.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Preston should have been tagging up
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:29 PM EDT reply actions
How close was Kennedy's to being out?
That is where it was
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
';lkpoiqwcws
Remember when we owned the Cubs, and the huge streak we had at kicking their butts in Busch?
Next inning
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:35 PM EDT reply actions
I really think
You assume we can score
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope the
Seriously, the way message boards go in downturns make me swear 90% of the posters have been watching baseball for less than 3 years. Gotta be fair weather fans to bitch this much, this early.
You confuse snarkiness for bitching
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
please enter a subject for your comment.
a lot of it is sarcasm
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone having trouble with mlb.tv game feed?
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 3:40 PM EDT reply actions
Gameday
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb;_ylt=Avk.CFHgk0eZqr_ZQYnNYNg5nYcB#
because he's struggling...
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 20, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Swing inning
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions
WTF was that!?!
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions
man, Id love to have a rocket car, that'd be sweet
I just cant see how that would be a hittable pitch
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
by MUTiger on Apr 20, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions
Looper
keep in mind
Lee
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 3:48 PM EDT reply actions
72 pitches through 6
don't forget about
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
wow
I hate to complain but that was funny
HRHRHHRHRHRHRH!!!!!!!!
someone called it...
a couple innings early
he made like Willie McGee looking bad, then boom!
someone...
by longhornscardinals on Apr 20, 2007 3:57 PM EDT reply actions
I just thought to myself
HA!!
Calling it.
I wonder what kind of Vegas odds I could get on that?
In Albert we trust.
by Mr Redbird on Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 02:23:36 PM CDT
downside
but...cant be upset with a cardinal homerun.
Oh good, leadoff walks
Or wait, how does that go?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:03 PM EDT reply actions
If Blanco bunts
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:05 PM EDT reply actions
Or how about a butcher boy
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy Shit!
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
poop
by Birds on the Matt on Apr 20, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Well crap
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
blanco bunts in the air
by Birds on the Matt on Apr 20, 2007 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Blanco popped up a bunt
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:09 PM EDT reply actions
ok...
Molina tried to catch it...by diving over him?
but he droped it. tagged out blanco then threw to second then third...
but ?
t
but they said that it wasn't a triple play
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
After the fact...yes.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
im not sure whats going on
by longhornscardinals on Apr 20, 2007 4:10 PM EDT reply actions
Batter interference
Play dead
No triple play
by rw on Apr 20, 2007 4:11 PM EDT reply actions
lol
Molina had Blanco's face entirely in his glove...
then he adjusted his cup and watched
blanco
He'll get any call close
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
just occurred to me..
by Birds on the Matt on Apr 20, 2007 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
lol
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
"For those of you scoring at home..."
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
i try to keep it at games
by Birds on the Matt on Apr 20, 2007 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
wow...
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 4:15 PM EDT reply actions
Who is this Braden Looper fella?
Maybe for the 4th time through we will get the Palmball.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:15 PM EDT reply actions
credit
by Birds on the Matt on Apr 20, 2007 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
by mikedallas23 @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 4:16 PM EDT reply actions
see below
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
so
by jealousblues on Apr 20, 2007 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
There's also
sortof
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Now would be a good time...
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 4:17 PM EDT reply actions
How close was Skip?
Yup
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Closer to going out than Kennedy's
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Why is the CF door locked with
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
Good point
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
YOU MUST PROTECT THESE TARPS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
oh man
Wuertz is getting hit hard
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:21 PM EDT reply actions
Or 7
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
If Rolen can't catch up to Lilly
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
If Cubs take the lead off of Franklin
Please hold on, Ryan.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmmm
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't like
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 4:28 PM EDT reply actions
Right field in Wrigley
Wrigley.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
who'd you take out?
I'd rather have the pitcher
I would have left them in as they were...
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Well,
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
2 Runs today
That may end up being Edmonds only Triple
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:38 PM EDT reply actions
Our current high batting average
.238, Molina
.214, PDub
.197, Albert
.196, Rolen
.190, Kennedy
.186, JEd
.174, Skip
.000, Franklin
WOW.
Jimmy!
did anyone
by jeff abs on Apr 20, 2007 4:40 PM EDT reply actions
Floyd dove as it landed just fair
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
ugly
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
in all fairness
Preston seems to have an increased sense
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:40 PM EDT reply actions
triple for edmonds?!?
did the entire cubs outfield die?
Ddin't see
by rw on Apr 20, 2007 4:41 PM EDT reply actions
The funny part about the triple play that wasn't
Man, I missed Ron Santo since last year.
actually no
Anyway, the runner at second would have been safe.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
True
Sorry I am watching through the eyes of Pat and Ron... sometimes it is not so clear.
I'm pretty sure I also heard them say that they are being told that ARod has not hit a home run yet today. (No kidding, they aren't playing yet).
No
It was the right call. At first I thought it should have been called an infield fly rule, but the infield fly rule does not apply to bunts; if anything, yadi messed up by trying to catch it; he could have had a double play at 3rd and second by just letting it fall.
interesting, we all got it wrong
A batter is out for illegal action when --
a) He hits a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter's box.
(b) He steps from one batter's box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch;
(c) He interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home base. EXCEPTION: Batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for batter's interference.
Rule 6.06(c) Comment: If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that runner is out--not the batter. Any other runners on the base at the time may advance as the ruling is that there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. In that case play proceeds just as if no violation had been called.
So it should have been 2 outs, man on 2nd.
Hello?
my prediction..
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions
MOVE CLOSER TO THE PLATE
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:44 PM EDT reply actions
If I were Tony, and I'm not
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:45 PM EDT reply actions
Was there any doubt?
In fairness to Gooch
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
watch out for derosa, izzy!
by lastplacecubs on Apr 20, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions
Felix "Pee-ay"
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions
Wow
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions
It's just like rounding 1st base standing up
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
uh, what's going on?
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions
Alright
Runner goes to second, touches base and slides past it. Eck tags him, so thus he is out.
Good call.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions
what is wrong with these announcers?
Maybe we should apply logic to our announcing?
So a walk is a live ball?
Yes
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
What happened?
ball four called
Is Lou throwing bases?
by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on Apr 20, 2007 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
Gameday, ESPN, Yahoo...
So as I now understand it, Jones walked, Cedeno went to second but got tagged out while wandering off base, and now Blanco's up w/Jones on 1st and 2 out -- correct?
Cedeno was going on the 3-2 count
The umpire pointed saying he was out, then said it was Ball 4, but Eck was jumping around literally like a kid whose father wouldn't listen and they had a meeting at the mound and made the right call.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Basically
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
YEAH BABY!
That was as screwy a game as i've seen in a while
Bats NEED to wake up for Marquis tomorrow.
by Big Red on Apr 20, 2007 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
Rule 6.08
6.08
The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when --
(a) Four "balls" have been called by the umpire;
Rule 6.08(a) Comment: A batter who is entitled to first base because of a base on balls must go to first base and touch the base before other base runners are forced to advance. This applies when bases are full and applies when a substitute runner is put into the game.
If, in advancing, the base runner thinks there is a play and he slides past the base before or after touching it he may be put out by the fielder tagging him. If he fails to touch the base to which he is entitled and attempts to advance beyond that base he may be put out by tagging him or the base he missed.
Cubs Magic
I'm glad my St. Louis Judy's (they have no punch) finally broke their loosing streak
"The Judies."
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 20, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
the comic strip
Cedeno play
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 5:17 PM EDT reply actions
Nice Screen Caps
by ColinMacLeod on Apr 20, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
How the heck do you do that?
Here is the hi-res money shot
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 20, 2007 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Public apology to Looper...
Me too...
by rockin redbird on Apr 20, 2007 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Looper = Legit
One or two more starts like this and color me convinced.
He's been nails so far.
Wish me luck
Are they mad at the umps like little whiners?
or...
Are they mad at their own 2 baserunning screwups today like those who acknowledge the truth?
St Louis Judy's (they have no Punch)
Since Judy Garland was in the movie "Meet me in St. Louis" there is a natural tie in, though it's not the Judy that inspired the name.
Punch and Judy
Bleed Cubbie Blue's game thread
"idiot
Cedeno may need police protection when he leaves the staduim."
So the Cards...
Today vs Cubs: 6 for 32
vs Lowry: 5/30
vs MM: 8/42
vs Gorze..: 4/28
vs Snell: 6/33
That's a collective 29 for 165 or .176.
And we had our best lineup out there today, though we were facing a lefty.
If we can't break 200 against Marquis I say we're definitely in deep trouble...
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