Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 309

**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** · 09-21-2013, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

7-2 winner.

Adams with a bomb and multi hits again. How can you sit him on the bench in the playoffs?

Frazod · 09-21-2013, 09:55 PM

Beautiful that Cincy and Pittsburgh are playing each other now. What perfect timing. If we win tomorrow and Cincy wins, they'll both be back 3 with 6 to play.

Pepe Silvia · 09-21-2013, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Beautiful that Cincy and Pittsburgh are playing each other now. What perfect timing. If we win tomorrow and Cincy wins, they'll both be back 3 with 6 to play.

Sweet as sugar.

**BigRedChief** · 09-21-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Beautiful that Cincy and Pittsburgh are playing each other now. What perfect timing. If we win tomorrow and Cincy wins, they'll both be back 3 with 6 to play.

And have to do it again next weekend.

whoman69 · 09-22-2013, 07:43 AM

Edward Mujica out as Cardinals closer?
After blowing another save last night, the Cardinals appear to be removing Edward Mujica from the closer role going forward.

Per Jennifer Langosch, the Cards will not use Mujica tonight and the closer spot will be "fluid going forward". There are various candidates to fill the closer role (e.g. Trevor Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist) and game situations may determine who gets the call.

This news comes on the heels of Mujica's admission that he is experiencing "overall fatigue".

After being lights out for the first 5 months of the season, its obvious that something was wrong with Mujica as he has posted a 9.45 ERA in September and blown 2 out of 4 save chances. In 6.2 innings over 8 appearances, he has given up 15 hits, 2 walks and 2 homers.

The Cardinals will likely try to give him a breather for a few days and then put him in some low pressure situations to see how he responds. At this point, its about getting him back on track in time for the playoffs.

Although the Cardinals say that they will determine the closer based on game situation, Rosenthal is the logical choice to replace Mujica. This final week may be Rosenthal's audition for the 2014 closer role (and beyond).

I think he will do just fine.

http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/ar...loser/14597389

**BigRedChief** · 09-22-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

This news comes on the heels of Mujica's admission that he is experiencing "overall fatigue".

Did he tell Matheny about this "fatigue" while he was sliding down the abyss? If not, why not? If so, why did Matheny throw him out there?

whoman69 · 09-22-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Did he tell Matheny about this "fatigue" while he was sliding down the abyss? If not, why not? If so, why did Matheny throw him out there?

Conspiracy theory to the last. You really don't like Matheny.

**BigRedChief** · 09-22-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

Conspiracy theory to the last. You really don't like Matheny.

You are confusing me with Hamas.

I think some of his bullpen moves are for shit but I'm not on the fire Matheny bandwagon. He's a 2nd year manager and it shows at times.

The main job of a baseball manager is to manage the clubhouse, keep all the egos in line and build chemistry. Thats a damn hard job to pull off. By all accounts Matheny excels at that part of the job. He deserves a 3rd year even if we lose all our games in the playoffs.

Mi_chief_fan · 09-22-2013, 02:16 PM

Thank you, Marlins! Cards are in the playoffs!

Frazod · 09-22-2013, 08:49 PM

Not looking good tonight - down by 3, bottom 8th.

O.city · 09-22-2013, 09:09 PM

And with a chance to do something, Adams watches a fastball right in his poop hole wheel house for strike 3.

Frazod · 09-22-2013, 09:23 PM

Oh well. Up by 2 with 6 to go, headed home for the remainder of the season, and the two chasing us finish against each other. I'd sure rather be where we are than where they are.

**BigRedChief** · 09-22-2013, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Oh well. Up by 2 with 6 to go, headed home for the remainder of the season, and the two chasing us finish against each other. I'd sure rather be where we are than where they are.

We are going to win the division with the highest # of wins since 2005.

O.city · 09-22-2013, 09:28 PM

Whats our magic # for the division?

**BigRedChief** · 09-22-2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Whats our magic # for the division?

5

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3139627 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: 79,020

09-21-2013, 09:55 PM	#4622
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3125085	Beautiful that Cincy and Pittsburgh are playing each other now. What perfect timing. If we win tomorrow and Cincy wins, they'll both be back 3 with 6 to play.
Posts: 119,485

09-22-2013, 02:16 PM	#4629
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Thank you, Marlins! Cards are in the playoffs! __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

09-22-2013, 08:49 PM	#4630
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3125085	Not looking good tonight - down by 3, bottom 8th.
Posts: 119,485

09-22-2013, 09:09 PM	#4631
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2744064	And with a chance to do something, Adams watches a fastball right in his poop hole wheel house for strike 3.
Posts: 81,244

09-22-2013, 09:23 PM	#4632
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3125085	Oh well. Up by 2 with 6 to go, headed home for the remainder of the season, and the two chasing us finish against each other. I'd sure rather be where we are than where they are.
Posts: 119,485

09-22-2013, 09:28 PM	#4634
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2744064	Whats our magic # for the division?
Posts: 81,244