Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 39

**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

**BigRedChief** · 05-02-2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Jesus, these guys are annoying.

Why did they pull Westbrook? He was cruising. Boggs and Salas have no business at the major league level right now. They need to go work out whatever they need in the minors.

Frazod · 05-02-2013, 09:30 PM

FINALLY.

****.

**BigRedChief** · 05-02-2013, 09:33 PM

Burned our bullpen with a 5 run lead. We are using Rosenthal way too much. No need to burn out his arm this early in his career and this year.

**BigRedChief** · 05-02-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Shows how desperate they are at the back of the pen.

There is no help in the minors?

Rams Fan · 05-02-2013, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

There is no help in the minors?

There's pretty much no options unless you want a guy like Gast up as a LOOGY/8th inning guy.

Frazod · 05-02-2013, 09:51 PM

Jimmy needs to work on not making reading off the teleprompter quite so obvious.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-02-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

There's pretty much no options unless you want a guy like Gast up as a LOOGY/8th inning guy.

Siegrist is on the 40 man. Why not give him a shot?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-02-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Why did they pull Westbrook? He was cruising. Boggs and Salas have no business at the major league level right now. They need to go work out whatever they need in the minors.

They did it during Westbrook's last start too. Matheny is absolutely loathe to use him in the 7th. I understand the reservation, but there is no way that Westbrook isn't a better option than anyone who isn't Mujica in the pen right now.

Kelly is not good
Rosenthal is trending up but is being overused
Boggs is a disaster
Salas is a disaster
Choate is just a LOOGY

I have no idea what to expect from Man Ass other than no walks.

They have absolutely no options unless it's Rosenthal-Mujica, which means you need your starters to go seven.

Rams Fan · 05-02-2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Siegrist is on the 40 man. Why not give him a shot?

Because he isn't dominating Springfield to the extent that Gast has been dominating Memphis.

And yes, I do realize Springfield is in a hitter's league. But still. What Gast has been doing has been sick.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-02-2013, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Because he isn't dominating Springfield to the extent that Gast has been dominating Memphis.

And yes, I do realize Springfield is in a hitter's league. But still. What Gast has been doing has been sick.

Gast is the next man up if there's an injury in the rotation, IMO. Plus, he's not on the 40 man. Releasing Salas would fix that, but you still need to cut him to do that.

Siegrist gives you a second lefty with swing-and-miss stuff.

FWIW, I wouldn't look at Siegrist's ERA. His BAA is below .200 and he has 21 Ks in 11IP. That's ****ing filth.

Marcellus · 05-03-2013, 08:35 AM

Martinez called up from Springfield and Boggs sent to Memphis.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...b3f70d67e.html

Frazod · 05-03-2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus the True

Martinez called up from Springfield and Boggs sent to Memphis.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...b3f70d67e.html

And by Memphis, I hope you mean the ancient Egyptian city, not the one in Tennessee.

**BigRedChief** · 05-03-2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus the True

Martinez called up from Springfield and Boggs sent to Memphis.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...b3f70d67e.html

There is no way Larussa would have pulled Boggs from the closer role and sent him down as fast as Methany.

**BigRedChief** · 05-03-2013, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

And by Memphis, I hope you mean the ancient Egyptian city, not the one in Tennessee.

Hate to burn a year of Martinez but we could make a run this year. Going to have to shore up the bullpen. Better than trading him at the break for a rental. Why not use a year?

Marcellus · 05-03-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

There is no way Larussa would have pulled Boggs from the closer role and sent him down as fast as Methany.

I hadn't thought of that but yea, thats probably true.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3189627 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: 78,960

05-02-2013, 09:30 PM	#572
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3175085	FINALLY. ****.
Posts: 119,483

05-02-2013, 09:33 PM	#573
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3189627 VARSITY	Burned our bullpen with a 5 run lead. We are using Rosenthal way too much. No need to burn out his arm this early in his career and this year. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,960

05-02-2013, 09:51 PM	#576
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3175085	Jimmy needs to work on not making reading off the teleprompter quite so obvious.
Posts: 119,483

05-03-2013, 08:35 AM	#581
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3132662	Martinez called up from Springfield and Boggs sent to Memphis. http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...b3f70d67e.html
Posts: 69,161