Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 271

**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

**chefsos** · 08-16-2013, 04:11 PM

Arrieta has all the tools. Once in a while he gets his shit together, and it stays together all day. Guess today is one of those.

He was really scheduled to implode around the 5th, though.

ShowtimeSBMVP · 08-16-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

Arrieta has all the tools. Once in a while he gets his shit together, and it stays together all day. Guess today is one of those.

He was really scheduled to implode around the 5th, though.

Well said to bad for him it's like once a year.

kcpasco · 08-16-2013, 04:26 PM

Westbrook sucks so bad it spreads to the rest of the team. At least that is what Im gonna with today.

Pepe Silvia · 08-16-2013, 04:50 PM

The ****ing Cubs, really?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-16-2013, 08:39 PM

This team is absolutely loaded with holes:

1) Westbrook cannot be allowed to start another game. He's hot garbage. Martinez or Wacha need to take that spot.

2) Kelly can only face 18 batters a game. He can navigate the lineup two times with effectiveness, but as soon as the pitcher hits for the second time Matheny needs to have a hair trigger on the bullpen phone.

3) The lack of power dooms them in almost every game where they fall down by multiple runs, and as the game goes on, the players, save Carpenter, lose their ability to work counts.

This has become a team of opposite-field slap hitters. The hitting approach needs to change, because pitchers are not afraid to go inside on anyone, as they know the hitters will let it get deep on them. Worst case scenario is a jam shot to right.

Marcellus · 08-17-2013, 08:03 AM

Took me a while but I am on the Matheny is an idiot bandwagon.

Unless Molina's knee was sore, WTF sit him after 1 game when you know Westbrook struggles and especially on the road? He needed all the help he can get and Johnson cost us several runs by himself.

I mean are we really going to go from no rest for Molina to resting him every other day now?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-17-2013, 02:29 PM

Travis Wood has faced 6 hitters. Five of them took 11 pitches total. Yadi took 11.

LiL stumppy · 08-17-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Took me a while but I am on the Matheny is an idiot bandwagon.

Unless Molina's knee was sore, WTF sit him after 1 game when you know Westbrook struggles and especially on the road? He needed all the help he can get and Johnson cost us several runs by himself.

I mean are we really going to go from no rest for Molina to resting him every other day now?

he just got off the dl bro why wouldnt they give him some extra rest?

O.city · 08-17-2013, 03:11 PM

Holy balls were out to a lead

**BigRedChief** · 08-17-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Took me a while but I am on the Matheny is an idiot bandwagon.

Unless Molina's knee was sore, WTF sit him after 1 game when you know Westbrook struggles and especially on the road? He needed all the help he can get and Johnson cost us several runs by himself.

I mean are we really going to go from no rest for Molina to resting him every other day now?

Dude come on man.....

We made the mistake of playing him too much to fast when he came back last time. Molina isn't the issue with this team. If some of the other parts get their shit together, we will need a healthy Molina to stand a chance in hell of winning a game in the playoffs.

**BigRedChief** · 08-17-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

This team is absolutely loaded with holes:

1) Westbrook cannot be allowed to start another game. He's hot garbage. Martinez or Wacha need to take that spot.

Agreed. It's past time.I'd like to know just how in the hell Martinez could do worse than Westbrook?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

This team is absolutely loaded with holes:

2) Kelly can only face 18 batters a game. He can navigate the lineup two times with effectiveness, but as soon as the pitcher hits for the second time Matheny needs to have a hair trigger on the bullpen phone.

They are wanting to keep Wacha's inning total down. Why not pitch Kelly 6 innings and then let Wacha pitch the rest of the way. Rest the bullpen every 5th day?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

This team is absolutely loaded with holes:
The hitting approach needs to change, because pitchers are not afraid to go inside on anyone, as they know the hitters will let it get deep on them. Worst case scenario is a jam shot to right.

Agree here too. Is it not obvious that the approach at the plate needs to change? They are killing us inside as a team. It just keeps happening and no change in approach. Has anyone heard anything about the coaches changing the approach at the plate?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-17-2013, 04:59 PM

Molina should only play about 7/10 games behind the plate. If they want to give him an occasional start at first to keep his bat in the lineup that's fine, but his knees could use the rest.

I understand keeping Wacha's innings down, but someone has to replace Westbrook. He said he felt great yesterday and threw the ball like absolute shit. I don't trust Lyons to do it. Wacha is the most sensible alternative. He's only at 110 innings for the year between AAA and the bigs. Westbrook should have about eight starts left. Give six of them to Wacha and two more to Martinez. That would put Wacha at about 150 innings for the year. By no means is that excessive wear.

O.city · 08-17-2013, 06:11 PM

Joe ****ing Kelly. Touché to you.

Instead of a guy like Westbrook to eat innings next year, I'd let Lynn and Kelly fight out for that 4/5 spot, depending on Wacha, baby Pedro, and miller

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-17-2013, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Joe ****ing Kelly. Touché to you.

Instead of a guy like Westbrook to eat innings next year, I'd let Lynn and Kelly fight out for that 4/5 spot, depending on Wacha, baby Pedro, and miller

Just for the sake of posterity:

Kelly has struck out about 40% fewer batters as a starter than as a reliever, yet has walked more.

I would urge a bit of caution with him. He was better than he showed as a reliever, but he's been really lucky as a starter.

O.city · 08-17-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Just for the sake of posterity:

Kelly has struck out about 40% fewer batters as a starter than as a reliever, yet has walked more.

I would urge a bit of caution with him. He was better than he showed as a reliever, but he's been really lucky as a starter.

Sure, but he's also faced more.

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

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

08-16-2013, 04:11 PM	#4051
chefsos Fifty eight sixty two... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Felton, DE Casino cash: $8527676	Arrieta has all the tools. Once in a while he gets his shit together, and it stays together all day. Guess today is one of those. He was really scheduled to implode around the 5th, though.
Posts: 9,449

08-16-2013, 04:26 PM	#4053
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7743463	Westbrook sucks so bad it spreads to the rest of the team. At least that is what Im gonna with today.
Posts: 15,476

08-16-2013, 04:50 PM	#4054
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $1994664	The ****ing Cubs, really?
Posts: 16,532

08-16-2013, 08:39 PM	#4055
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	This team is absolutely loaded with holes: 1) Westbrook cannot be allowed to start another game. He's hot garbage. Martinez or Wacha need to take that spot. 2) Kelly can only face 18 batters a game. He can navigate the lineup two times with effectiveness, but as soon as the pitcher hits for the second time Matheny needs to have a hair trigger on the bullpen phone. 3) The lack of power dooms them in almost every game where they fall down by multiple runs, and as the game goes on, the players, save Carpenter, lose their ability to work counts. This has become a team of opposite-field slap hitters. The hitting approach needs to change, because pitchers are not afraid to go inside on anyone, as they know the hitters will let it get deep on them. Worst case scenario is a jam shot to right. __________________ "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

08-17-2013, 08:03 AM	#4056
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3172662	Took me a while but I am on the Matheny is an idiot bandwagon. Unless Molina's knee was sore, WTF sit him after 1 game when you know Westbrook struggles and especially on the road? He needed all the help he can get and Johnson cost us several runs by himself. I mean are we really going to go from no rest for Molina to resting him every other day now?
Posts: 69,135

08-17-2013, 02:29 PM	#4057
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Travis Wood has faced 6 hitters. Five of them took 11 pitches total. Yadi took 11. __________________ "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

08-17-2013, 03:11 PM	#4059
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Holy balls were out to a lead
Posts: 81,175

08-17-2013, 04:59 PM	#4062
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Molina should only play about 7/10 games behind the plate. If they want to give him an occasional start at first to keep his bat in the lineup that's fine, but his knees could use the rest. I understand keeping Wacha's innings down, but someone has to replace Westbrook. He said he felt great yesterday and threw the ball like absolute shit. I don't trust Lyons to do it. Wacha is the most sensible alternative. He's only at 110 innings for the year between AAA and the bigs. Westbrook should have about eight starts left. Give six of them to Wacha and two more to Martinez. That would put Wacha at about 150 innings for the year. By no means is that excessive wear. __________________ "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

08-17-2013, 06:11 PM	#4063
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Joe ****ing Kelly. Touché to you. Instead of a guy like Westbrook to eat innings next year, I'd let Lynn and Kelly fight out for that 4/5 spot, depending on Wacha, baby Pedro, and miller
Posts: 81,175