Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 327

**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

Pasta Little Brioni · 10-01-2013, 03:36 PM

Good to be the King

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 04:02 PM

Just watched "Intentional Talk", both Rose & Millar picked Cards to lose in the World Series; Rose thinks the A's win it all, can you guess who Millar's pick is?

Of course, Bud Selig is dreaming of a Red Sox/Dodgers series.

Marcellus · 10-01-2013, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Lynn to start game 2.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...be6074da7.html

I don't get this move at all. Matheny says is based on experience. He has one more year than Miller. I'm not a happy camper with this decision.

1.09 ERA in his last 4 starts and 9-3 at home this season is pretty good logic.

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

1.09 ERA in his last 4 starts and 9-3 at home this season is pretty good logic.

And, to be honest, I trust Miller more on the road than Lynn.

Frazod · 10-01-2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

And, to be honest, I trust Miller more on the road than Lynn.

Can't argue with that.

VAChief · 10-01-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

And, to be honest, I trust Miller more on the road than Lynn.

I think Kelly is better on the road than Lynn also.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-01-2013, 05:37 PM

Don't really mind Lynn starting Game 2. I don't want him in a situation where the crowd is going to be whipped into a froth, and this guarantees that he wouldn't even make a road start in the playoffs until the ass end of the LCS, if they even get that far.

LDS: Game 2,
LCS: Game 1 or 2, Game5/6. Six would be at home.

whoman69 · 10-01-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

1.09 ERA in his last 4 starts and 9-3 at home this season is pretty good logic.

Has a 6 inning limit. Probably want to get that out of the way when they have a travel day after. The team has a worse winning percentage with him pitching than the overall team win %.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-01-2013, 06:09 PM

As long as our pitchers throw strikes the rotation projects pretty well for October baseball. Good fastballs are worth more in the final month than the previous months, as the ball doesn't travel as far when hit and it's harder to get around on 96+ in colder weather.

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

I think Kelly is better on the road than Lynn also.

Absolutely.

rolltide2014 · 10-01-2013, 06:19 PM

So Cards fans, who are we pulling for tonight? I'm a little torn but in the end think I like our chances better against the Reds

Frazod · 10-01-2013, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolltide2014

So Cards fans, who are we pulling for tonight? I'm a little torn but in the end think I like our chances better against the Reds

It's better for us if the Reds win, but **** the Reds. I'm rooting for Pittsburgh.

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolltide2014

So Cards fans, who are we pulling for tonight? I'm a little torn but in the end think I like our chances better against the Reds

Could care less, just hope it goes about 20 innings.

Frazod · 10-01-2013, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Could care less, just hope it goes about 20 innings.

20 innings works.

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 06:34 PM

Suck it, Cueto. OK, I guess I want the Pirates to beat the shit out of Cueto.

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

10-01-2013, 03:36 PM	#4891
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $4068880	Good to be the King
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10-01-2013, 04:02 PM	#4892
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Just watched "Intentional Talk", both Rose & Millar picked Cards to lose in the World Series; Rose thinks the A's win it all, can you guess who Millar's pick is? Of course, Bud Selig is dreaming of a Red Sox/Dodgers series. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

10-01-2013, 05:37 PM	#4897
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Don't really mind Lynn starting Game 2. I don't want him in a situation where the crowd is going to be whipped into a froth, and this guarantees that he wouldn't even make a road start in the playoffs until the ass end of the LCS, if they even get that far. LDS: Game 2, LCS: Game 1 or 2, Game5/6. Six would be at home. __________________ "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

10-01-2013, 06:09 PM	#4899
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	As long as our pitchers throw strikes the rotation projects pretty well for October baseball. Good fastballs are worth more in the final month than the previous months, as the ball doesn't travel as far when hit and it's harder to get around on 96+ in colder weather. __________________ "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

10-01-2013, 06:19 PM	#4901
rolltide2014 Starter Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Bloomington, IL Casino cash: $10011695	So Cards fans, who are we pulling for tonight? I'm a little torn but in the end think I like our chances better against the Reds
Posts: 373

10-01-2013, 06:34 PM	#4905
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Suck it, Cueto. OK, I guess I want the Pirates to beat the shit out of Cueto. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517