Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 219

**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

DJ's left nut · 07-25-2013, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

uhhh 5 game series.

I like a 5 game series.

3-2 is just the natural order of a 5 game series. In a 3-gamer, a sweep can be the result of a bad bounce or two, but over enough games the bad bounces will even out.

3-2 either way doesn't change things at all.

And frankly, if we go 1-4 or 0-5, we absolutely deserve to sweat.

O.city · 07-25-2013, 09:56 PM

Or if we go in a sweep the paper tiger Pirates, it's all good.

O.city · 07-25-2013, 10:01 PM

We're going to have to play well though, because our schedule from here out is pretty tough.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-26-2013, 11:53 AM

I had to do it:

O.city · 07-26-2013, 01:00 PM

I was looking at some contracts and we have alot of money potentially coming off the books next year.

What do you do with it?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-26-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I was looking at some contracts and we have alot of money potentially coming off the books next year.

What do you do with it?

I'd probably use some of it to buy upShelby, Rosenthal, and Carpenter's arb years at discounted prices. It's not sexy, but it may help extend long term payroll flexibility.

After that, this is the worst FA class I can remember. If you need innings, you could make a small push for Dick Nolasco, but I bet the Dodgers overpay him by 60%.

**DeezNutz** · 07-26-2013, 04:14 PM

Santana for Wong? Interest?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-26-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Santana for Wong? Interest?

**DeezNutz** · 07-26-2013, 04:23 PM

Really? Unused asset for you. Definite help this year, with a possibility to work an extension.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-26-2013, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Really? Unused asset for you. Definite help this year, with a possibility to work an extension.

**DeezNutz** · 07-26-2013, 04:28 PM

So what do you believe Wong is worth? Or are you assuming that Carp is moving to third with Wong to plug and play?

And post another gif and watch me go full Meat Dragon on that ass.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-26-2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

So what do you believe Wong is worth? Or are you assuming that Carp is moving to third with Wong to plug and play?

And post another gif and watch me go full Meat Dragon on that ass.

Wong is likely a 2-2.5 WAR player. Over the life of his cost-controlled years, he'll conservatively provide 10 wins.

A starting pitcher this year carries obvious present-day value for the Cardinals.

For a two month rental I'd want a 4 WAR pitcher. Santana is looking like a 2.5 WAR pitcher this year.

I'd also rather have Jorge De La Rosa, a LHP with similar peripherals, but more a few more control issues, and there's no way I'd give up Wong for him.

I might toss you Carson Kelly and another projectable arm, but Santana just isn't that damned good.

Pepe Silvia · 07-26-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Really? Unused asset for you. Definite help this year, with a possibility to work an extension.

Santana is too inconsistent. He'll look great one year and then get rocked the next.

**BigRedChief** · 07-26-2013, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Wong is likely a 2-2.5 WAR player. Over the life of his cost-controlled years, he'll conservatively provide 10 wins.

A starting pitcher this year carries obvious present-day value for the Cardinals.

For a two month rental I'd want a 4 WAR pitcher. Santana is looking like a 2.5 WAR pitcher this year.

I'd also rather have Jorge De La Rosa, a LHP with similar peripherals, but more a few more control issues, and there's no way I'd give up Wong for him.

I might toss you Carson Kelly and another projectable arm, but Santana just isn't that damned good.

I was listening to KC radio on the way home from work this week and the Radio guys and the callers were thinking that Santana is a possible #1 or defintely a #2 on any staff.

I just dont see it. I'd rather have Waino, Miller, Lynn, Martinez, Wacha than him. He doesn't even start for us in 2014.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-26-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I was listening to KC radio on the way home from work this week and the Radio guys and the callers were thinking that Santana is a possible #1 or defintely a #2 on any staff.

I just dont see it. I'd rather have Waino, Miller, Lynn, Martinez, Wacha than him. He doesn't even start for us in 2014.

Kansas City is home to some of the dumbest, most ignorant sports fans in the country. Chiefs fans are perhaps the dumbest fan base in the NFL, and they are by far the more educated of the two professional KC fanbases.

I say this as someone who has never lived in St. Louis.

Santana is, at best, a fringe #3 starter on a bad team and a serviceable #4 on a good one.

Lance Lynn is a better pitcher than Santana, and a lot of people don't even want him in the rotation.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3169627 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..
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07-25-2013, 09:56 PM	#3272
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	Or if we go in a sweep the paper tiger Pirates, it's all good.
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07-25-2013, 10:01 PM	#3273
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	We're going to have to play well though, because our schedule from here out is pretty tough.
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07-26-2013, 11:53 AM	#3274
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	I had to do it: __________________ "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
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07-26-2013, 01:00 PM	#3275
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	I was looking at some contracts and we have alot of money potentially coming off the books next year. What do you do with it?
Posts: 81,220