Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 209

**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

O.city · 07-23-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

I'm including 2013. Including that, he's had an opportunity to play a full season in '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13.

Plus maybe he's got all his injuries out of his system?

O.city · 07-23-2013, 06:32 PM

I love Craigs approach with runners on base, I really do.

But I wish he's try a little more to drive the ball out of the ball park.

Rams Fan · 07-23-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I love Craigs approach with runners on base, I really do.

But I wish he's try a little more to drive the ball out of the ball park.

I would too, but I'll gladly accept him being a RBI machine.

And

@ Hamas' comment.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 06:49 PM

Damn Freese. Gets to 3-0 then takes a fastball right down the middle, then weakly grounds out on a straight FB down central.

And what a play by Koz!!!

O.city · 07-23-2013, 07:04 PM

Up to this point, Shelby hasn't been overthrowing everything as has looked really sharp.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 07:40 PM

Adams bout to pump one out, over the pen. Walked.

Go ahead and add Freese to the list of guys who can't hit a fastball either.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 07:52 PM

So, if you're going for a SS, woudl you rather go after Rollins or Reyes?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-23-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So, if you're going for a SS, woudl you rather go after Rollins or Reyes?

I'd rather just drop the hammer and go after Tulo, even though I'd be very reticent to make that move as well.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-23-2013, 08:07 PM

Terrible managing. Shelby was cruising at 85 pitches. Have him bunt Kozma over and then give Carpenter a crack at it. Instead, you rely on Brock ****ing Peterson.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I'd rather just drop the hammer and go after Tulo, even though I'd be very reticent to make that move as well.

I'd obviously take either of the 3, but I'd probably say

Tulo
Reyes
Rollins

And in that order mainly because of the lineup we already have in place. While I agree with DJ in that Carp is a perfect 2 hole hitter, Tulo wouldn't be a bad option there either, plus he could hit anywhere really.

I don't think any of said scenarios play out, but it's fun to dream.

If Kozma can just hit say, .260-.270, with his defense, I think you live with it.

In a perfect world, I go get Tulo, he stays healthy, and rakes for 6 or 7 years. Or I go get Reyes and him and Carp set the table for Craig, Adams, Yadi, Taveras, Holliday and Beltran for the next 3 years.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 09:06 PM

Mujica better get down and stay down in the zone.

Nevermind, he did.

I don't think Mujica is the answer in the closer spot, and alot of people want to pencil Rosenthal in there, which I'm fine with. But, I think Siegrist is someone who could garner a look there down the road.

Rams Fan · 07-23-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I don't think Mujica is the answer in the closer spot, and alot of people want to pencil Rosenthal in there, which I'm fine with. But, I think Siegrist is someone who could garner a look there down the road.

I'd love if Mujica was back next season as a setup guy, with Siegrist also setting up or Mujica in the 7th, move Rosenthal to the bullpen and Motte closing.

Shit would be cray.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 09:31 PM

I'm not counting much on Motte, he was used for what you needed, I don't think you put much stock into him at this point. If he does come back to what he was, it's a bonus.

I'd love to see Rosenthal in the rotation, if his stuff will last more than an inning though.

O.city · 07-23-2013, 09:40 PM

Good to see Shelby get back on track, looked good tonight.

**BigRedChief** · 07-23-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm not counting much on Motte, he was used for what you needed, I don't think you put much stock into him at this point. If he does come back to what he was, it's a bonus.

I'd love to see Rosenthal in the rotation, if his stuff will last more than an inning though.

I takes two years to completely recover from TJ surgery. I wouldn't count on Motte next year to be the Motte of 2012.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3259627 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: 78,917

07-23-2013, 06:32 PM	#3122
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	I love Craigs approach with runners on base, I really do. But I wish he's try a little more to drive the ball out of the ball park.
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 06:49 PM	#3124
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	Damn Freese. Gets to 3-0 then takes a fastball right down the middle, then weakly grounds out on a straight FB down central. And what a play by Koz!!!
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 07:04 PM	#3125
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	Up to this point, Shelby hasn't been overthrowing everything as has looked really sharp.
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 07:40 PM	#3126
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	Adams bout to pump one out, over the pen. Walked. Go ahead and add Freese to the list of guys who can't hit a fastball either. Last edited by O.city; 07-23-2013 at 07:45 PM..
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 07:52 PM	#3127
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	So, if you're going for a SS, woudl you rather go after Rollins or Reyes?
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 08:07 PM	#3129
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8039572	Terrible managing. Shelby was cruising at 85 pitches. Have him bunt Kozma over and then give Carpenter a crack at it. Instead, you rely on Brock ****ing Peterson. __________________ "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: 74,813

07-23-2013, 09:06 PM	#3131
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	Mujica better get down and stay down in the zone. Nevermind, he did. I don't think Mujica is the answer in the closer spot, and alot of people want to pencil Rosenthal in there, which I'm fine with. But, I think Siegrist is someone who could garner a look there down the road.
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 09:31 PM	#3133
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	I'm not counting much on Motte, he was used for what you needed, I don't think you put much stock into him at this point. If he does come back to what he was, it's a bonus. I'd love to see Rosenthal in the rotation, if his stuff will last more than an inning though.
Posts: 81,149

07-23-2013, 09:40 PM	#3134
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	Good to see Shelby get back on track, looked good tonight.
Posts: 81,149

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