Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 145

**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 · 06-19-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Man we have caught the GDP bug again. I got tired of this shit last year.

2011 was the worst, but it comes from pulling the goddamned ball too much. Almost all of our players are much better hitters to the opposite field than they are to the pull field. Craig, Freese, and Molina are vital cogs in our lineup who are line drive hitters to the opposite field and ground ball hitters when they pull the ball.

Holliday has always been somewhat of a pull hitter, but he's been worse this year.

O.city · 06-19-2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Chingaté cabrón

While its awesome, I can't believe he forgot to tell us he had extras there te last time the Rangers were in town

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-19-2013, 08:56 PM

Some interesting thoughts:

If you put a starting eight together of Josh Hamilton, BJ Upton, Matt Holliday, Martin Prado, Starlin Castro, Aramis Ramirez, Miguel Montero and Albert Pujols the team would have a negative WAR.

O.city · 06-19-2013, 09:11 PM

Winning games, when you aren't firing on all cylinders is what good teams do. Keep it going, lets push to 25 over

O.city · 06-19-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Some interesting thoughts:

If you put a starting eight together of Josh Hamilton, BJ Upton, Matt Holliday, Martin Prado, Starlin Castro, Aramis Ramirez, Miguel Montero and Albert Pujols the team would have a negative WAR.

I'd prolly still take it and take my chances.

Mi_chief_fan · 06-19-2013, 09:18 PM

Westbrook shook off a bad outing last time, pitched a gem tonight. Just what we needed. Should've been a shutout.

Pepe Silvia · 06-19-2013, 11:48 PM

Westbrook looked great. Cheers to another W. Good thing because the Dreads won tonight.

O.city · 06-20-2013, 08:17 PM

Holliday clip?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-20-2013, 08:19 PM

O.city · 06-20-2013, 08:20 PM

Damn, we've hit some balls really hard tonight and don't really have a whole lot to show for it.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-20-2013, 08:20 PM

A lot of bad situational baseball by the Cardinals tonight. Fat Adams with the killer GIDP against Felchman earlier, Yadi overplaying Adams' hit to center and missing out on a tagging opportunity. Way too pull conscious at the dish from a guy who throws almost everything outside.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-20-2013, 08:27 PM

And Kozma is first pitch swinging infield fly. ****ing shitbag.

Lynn managed to survive another start without throwing anything but fastballs, several of which he elevated middle in and the Cubs missed.

O.city · 06-20-2013, 08:27 PM

Bad AB there by Kozma

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-20-2013, 08:30 PM

Excellent work Senor Tortuga.

O.city · 06-20-2013, 08:32 PM

Why would you not always try and pound Craig inside? Never throw it on the outer half to him.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3179627 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: 78,982

06-19-2013, 08:56 PM	#2163
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Some interesting thoughts: If you put a starting eight together of Josh Hamilton, BJ Upton, Matt Holliday, Martin Prado, Starlin Castro, Aramis Ramirez, Miguel Montero and Albert Pujols the team would have a negative WAR. __________________ "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: 74,825

06-19-2013, 09:11 PM	#2164
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Winning games, when you aren't firing on all cylinders is what good teams do. Keep it going, lets push to 25 over
Posts: 81,205

06-19-2013, 09:18 PM	#2166
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Westbrook shook off a bad outing last time, pitched a gem tonight. Just what we needed. Should've been a shutout. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

06-19-2013, 11:48 PM	#2167
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $1944664	Westbrook looked great. Cheers to another W. Good thing because the Dreads won tonight.
Posts: 16,556

06-20-2013, 08:17 PM	#2168
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Holliday clip?
Posts: 81,205

06-20-2013, 08:19 PM	#2169
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	__________________ "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: 74,825

06-20-2013, 08:20 PM	#2170
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Damn, we've hit some balls really hard tonight and don't really have a whole lot to show for it.
Posts: 81,205

06-20-2013, 08:20 PM	#2171
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	A lot of bad situational baseball by the Cardinals tonight. Fat Adams with the killer GIDP against Felchman earlier, Yadi overplaying Adams' hit to center and missing out on a tagging opportunity. Way too pull conscious at the dish from a guy who throws almost everything outside. __________________ "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: 74,825

06-20-2013, 08:27 PM	#2172
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	And Kozma is first pitch swinging infield fly. ****ing shitbag. Lynn managed to survive another start without throwing anything but fastballs, several of which he elevated middle in and the Cubs missed. __________________ "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: 74,825

06-20-2013, 08:27 PM	#2173
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Bad AB there by Kozma
Posts: 81,205

06-20-2013, 08:30 PM	#2174
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Excellent work Senor Tortuga. __________________ "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: 74,825

06-20-2013, 08:32 PM	#2175
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Why would you not always try and pound Craig inside? Never throw it on the outer half to him.
Posts: 81,205