Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 272

**BigRedChief** · 08:16 PM

From Bernie's column:

People have asked me why we’re not more emotional,” Matheny said in his office after Sunday’s game. “They say that we look subdued, always intense. That our actions are methodical, robotic at times. That’s what got us here. This isn’t the time to change it.”

It’s hard to argue with the manager’s assessment. The Cardinals finished with 97 victories, most by a Cards team since 2005, and tied with Boston for No. 1 in the majors this year.

Their 54-27 showing at Busch Stadium matches the 1985 team for the best single-season home winning percentage (.667) by the Cardinals since 1944.

A postseason theme has emerged, and it echoes the mantra that surfaced before the start of 2013: remember the fall of 2012. Remember falling to San Francisco in the NLCS.

The Cardinals’ veterans still haven’t forgotten. They still aren’t over it. It’s why Matheny resists GM John Mozeliak’s urgings to smile and put on a happier face.

Here's the most impressive aspect of the Cardinals' division championship: they prevailed over two other outstanding teams, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

The 97-win Cardinals were better this year (regular season) than they were in 2011, when they won 90 games, and 2012, when they won 88.
Here are a few numbers that help put the Cardinals' Central title and No. 1 NL seed in perspective:

* Since MLB switched to a three-division format in each league in 1994, this was only the sixth time that a division had three 90-plus win teams. St. Louis won 97, Pittsburgh 94, and Cincinnati 90.
* Since the format change, this was only the second time that an NL division had three 90-win teams. In 2002 the NL West had Arizona (98 wins), San Francisco (95) and Los Angeles (92).
* The 2013 Cardinals faced more esteemed and difficult competition at the top of the division than any of the division-winning teams managed by Tony La Russa.

The Pirates were hardly pushovers; the Cardinals had to work like mad and kick in with a strong finish to put the division away, and didn't clinch until Game No. 160.

The Cardinals went 9-10 against Pittsburgh this season and were 11-8 vs. Cincinnati.

The Cardinals won only three of 10 games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and split the 10 games at Cincinnati. The Cardinals were 6-3 against both teams at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals (1st), Pirates (3rd) and Reds (5th) ranked among the top five in wins in the NL. The three teams were among the top 11 in wins in MLB. All three teams finished in the top five in the majors for best overall ERA, and each were in the top five MLB for best starting-pitching ERA.

The original purpose to this piece was to point out that the Cardinals managed to finish with the league's best record while competing in a division that had three 90-win teams for only the second time in the last 19 years of National League baseball.

The Cardinals really earned this.
Thanks for reading ...
— Bernie

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-17-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Sure, but he's also faced more.

I'd just rather have a guy with that stuff eat innings, instead of another westbrook

I'm not sure what you're getting at. He's striking out 4.73/9 as a starter compared to 7.96/9 as a reliever. He's walking 3.60/9 as a starter compared to 2.84/9 as a reliever. He throws 59% of his pitches for strikes as a starter compared to 63.8% as a reliever.

We're still dealing with small sample sizes here, but the numbers suggest that this run he's on is almost all luck and she should start pitching like a guy with a 4.50 ERA pretty soon.

VAChief · 08-18-2013, 09:46 AM

Westbrook scheduled to start Wednesday. Except for giving up a nearly infinite amount runs in the first inning, Matheny thinks he has looked great the rest of the way.

O.city · 08-18-2013, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I'm not sure what you're getting at. He's striking out 4.73/9 as a starter compared to 7.96/9 as a reliever. He's walking 3.60/9 as a starter compared to 2.84/9 as a reliever. He throws 59% of his pitches for strikes as a starter compared to 63.8% as a reliever.

We're still dealing with small sample sizes here, but the numbers suggest that this run he's on is almost all luck and she should start pitching like a guy with a 4.50 ERA pretty soon.

Just saying as a starter he's having to face more hitters and seeing hitters multiple times. I'd just rather a guy with his stuff be a 5th starter than an old innings eater

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-18-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Just saying as a starter he's having to face more hitters and seeing hitters multiple times. I'd just rather a guy with his stuff be a 5th starter than an old innings eater

I despise Westbrook, and you're right that Kelly is a better option, but the peripherals suggest it's a smaller spread than we probably believe.

O.city · 08-18-2013, 10:13 AM

That's probably true.

Fwiw, I'd just much rather roll out Kelly than paying for a bottom of the rotation pitcher. If we were to fa spend, get something else

**BigRedChief** · 08-18-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

Westbrook scheduled to start Wednesday. Except for giving up a nearly infinite amount runs in the first inning, Matheny thinks he has looked great the rest of the way.

Frazod · 08-18-2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

Westbrook scheduled to start Wednesday. Except for giving up a nearly infinite amount runs in the first inning, Matheny thinks he has looked great the rest of the way.

They should let him pitch batting practice before the game. Shake those first inning jitters and make our hitters feel like rock stars at the same time.

O.city · 08-18-2013, 12:47 PM

Wind blowing in from right, Wong hit it hard looked like the wind killed it, dumbs hit cubs cf misplayed it

O.city · 08-18-2013, 02:30 PM

Holliday with the hardest hit 0-4 we've seen in a while

O.city · 08-18-2013, 02:40 PM

Yeah!!!

O.city · 08-18-2013, 04:34 PM

Cards win, good series win, had to have that one.

Back within a game.

**BigRedChief** · 08-18-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Wind blowing in from right, Wong hit it hard looked like the wind killed it, dumbs hit cubs cf misplayed it

Wong hit 3 balls hard today and a couple his first game.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-19-2013, 08:55 PM

I don't agree with pinch hitting Descalso here. Sure, he can replace Kozma, but you could double switch and accomplish a similar objective. Why not double switch and pinch hit Adams?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-19-2013, 09:02 PM

Thank tits. We just got one back that the shift took away from us last week.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-19-2013, 09:05 PM

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3229627 VARSITY	*OFFICIAL* 2013 STL Cardinals Thread From Bernie's column: People have asked me why we’re not more emotional,” Matheny said in his office after Sunday’s game. “They say that we look subdued, always intense. That our actions are methodical, robotic at times. That’s what got us here. This isn’t the time to change it.” It’s hard to argue with the manager’s assessment. The Cardinals finished with 97 victories, most by a Cards team since 2005, and tied with Boston for No. 1 in the majors this year. Their 54-27 showing at Busch Stadium matches the 1985 team for the best single-season home winning percentage (.667) by the Cardinals since 1944. A postseason theme has emerged, and it echoes the mantra that surfaced before the start of 2013: remember the fall of 2012. Remember falling to San Francisco in the NLCS. The Cardinals’ veterans still haven’t forgotten. They still aren’t over it. It’s why Matheny resists GM John Mozeliak’s urgings to smile and put on a happier face. Here's the most impressive aspect of the Cardinals' division championship: they prevailed over two other outstanding teams, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The 97-win Cardinals were better this year (regular season) than they were in 2011, when they won 90 games, and 2012, when they won 88. Here are a few numbers that help put the Cardinals' Central title and No. 1 NL seed in perspective: * Since MLB switched to a three-division format in each league in 1994, this was only the sixth time that a division had three 90-plus win teams. St. Louis won 97, Pittsburgh 94, and Cincinnati 90. * Since the format change, this was only the second time that an NL division had three 90-win teams. In 2002 the NL West had Arizona (98 wins), San Francisco (95) and Los Angeles (92). * The 2013 Cardinals faced more esteemed and difficult competition at the top of the division than any of the division-winning teams managed by Tony La Russa. The Pirates were hardly pushovers; the Cardinals had to work like mad and kick in with a strong finish to put the division away, and didn't clinch until Game No. 160. The Cardinals went 9-10 against Pittsburgh this season and were 11-8 vs. Cincinnati. The Cardinals won only three of 10 games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and split the 10 games at Cincinnati. The Cardinals were 6-3 against both teams at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals (1st), Pirates (3rd) and Reds (5th) ranked among the top five in wins in the NL. The three teams were among the top 11 in wins in MLB. All three teams finished in the top five in the majors for best overall ERA, and each were in the top five MLB for best starting-pitching ERA. The original purpose to this piece was to point out that the Cardinals managed to finish with the league's best record while competing in a division that had three 90-win teams for only the second time in the last 19 years of National League baseball. The Cardinals really earned this. Thanks for reading ... — Bernie Last edited by BigRedChief; 10-02-2013 at 08:16 PM..
Posts: 78,937

08-18-2013, 09:46 AM	#4067
VAChief Comfortably Numb Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Virginia Casino cash: $5295842	Westbrook scheduled to start Wednesday. Except for giving up a nearly infinite amount runs in the first inning, Matheny thinks he has looked great the rest of the way.
Posts: 5,529

08-18-2013, 10:13 AM	#4070
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	That's probably true. Fwiw, I'd just much rather roll out Kelly than paying for a bottom of the rotation pitcher. If we were to fa spend, get something else
Posts: 81,176

08-18-2013, 12:47 PM	#4073
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Wind blowing in from right, Wong hit it hard looked like the wind killed it, dumbs hit cubs cf misplayed it
Posts: 81,176

08-18-2013, 02:30 PM	#4074
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Holliday with the hardest hit 0-4 we've seen in a while
Posts: 81,176

08-18-2013, 02:40 PM	#4075
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Yeah!!!
Posts: 81,176

08-18-2013, 04:34 PM	#4076
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Cards win, good series win, had to have that one. Back within a game.
Posts: 81,176

08-19-2013, 08:55 PM	#4078
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	I don't agree with pinch hitting Descalso here. Sure, he can replace Kozma, but you could double switch and accomplish a similar objective. Why not double switch and pinch hit Adams? __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820

08-19-2013, 09:02 PM	#4079
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Thank tits. We just got one back that the shift took away from us last week. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820

08-19-2013, 09:05 PM	#4080
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	__________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820