Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 329

**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

Pepe Silvia · 10-01-2013, 07:17 PM

That was a close one for the buttpirates.

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Lefty strikeout pitchers against Jay, Adams, and Beltran= bad things.

True. But is he healthy?

O.city · 10-01-2013, 07:22 PM

So we are all hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-01-2013, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

True. But is he healthy?

That's the operative question. And Timmons can't get out of the way of the ball. Not surprising, the mother****er can't see them behind the plate either.

O.city · 10-01-2013, 07:23 PM

So we are hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?

Mi_chief_fan · 10-01-2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So we are hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?

I was hoping for an Ernie Banks special.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-01-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So we are hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?

I'd be down for a mild lat strain.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 10-01-2013, 07:30 PM

Anyone else think the audio feed is bizarre? It seems muffled, like only the first five rows are audible.

rolltide2014 · 10-01-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So we are hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?

If Dusty Baker was managing him that wouldn't be out of the question

**BigRedChief** · 10-01-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

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

Exactly.

Should have been

Waino
Miller
Kelly
Wacha
Waino

With Lynn out of the bullpen when a starter gets in trouble.

Frazod · 10-01-2013, 08:44 PM

Well, so much for the Reds.

**BigRedChief** · 10-01-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Well, so much for the Reds.

I'm happy for the Pitt fans. 1992 is a long time ago. Many a 100 loss seasons. Glad they had a good time. Really, no BS.

But, the run ends now. Just like the Braves, Nationals last year got their playoff run hopes crushed, your next.

Frazod · 10-01-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I'm happy for the Pitt fans. 1992 is a long time ago. Many a 100 loss seasons. Glad they had a good time. Really, no BS.

But, the run ends now. Just like the Braves, Nationals last year got their playoff run hopes crushed, your next.

Exactly.

**BigRedChief** · 10-02-2013, 06:42 PM

Why keep Mujica on the roster unless you are going to use him? And if you are going to use him in anything other than a blowout, WTF are you thinking?

**BigRedChief** · 10-02-2013, 06:42 PM

Why keep Mujica on the roster unless you are going to use him? And if you are going to use him in anything other than a blowout, WTF are you thinking?

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3219627 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: 78,941

10-01-2013, 07:17 PM	#4921
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $1984664	That was a close one for the buttpirates.
Posts: 16,535

10-01-2013, 07:22 PM	#4923
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2824064	So we are all hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?
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10-01-2013, 07:23 PM	#4925
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2824064	So we are hoping liriano throws 200 pitches tonight right?
Posts: 81,176

10-01-2013, 07:30 PM	#4928
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Anyone else think the audio feed is bizarre? It seems muffled, like only the first five rows are audible. __________________ "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
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10-01-2013, 08:44 PM	#4931
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3205085	Well, so much for the Reds.
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10-02-2013, 06:42 PM	#4934
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3219627 VARSITY	Why keep Mujica on the roster unless you are going to use him? And if you are going to use him in anything other than a blowout, WTF are you thinking? __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,941

10-02-2013, 06:42 PM	#4935
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3219627 VARSITY	Why keep Mujica on the roster unless you are going to use him? And if you are going to use him in anything other than a blowout, WTF are you thinking? __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,941