Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 35

**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

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04-21-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Royals fan here with a question.

Why isn't Rosenthal closing?

He has been extremely subpar this year. Not terrible, but definitely bad.

KChiefs1 · 04-21-2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Kevin Siegrist is 23, in Springfield, on the 40 Man, and currently has 17Ks in 8 IPs against two walks.

Probably the best candidate for promotion right now.

That's pretty damn impressive stats.

**BigRedChief** · 04-21-2013, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Perhaps they should just randomly pick somebody out of the crowd instead.

**** those clowns.

They would have better success than Boggs/Salas

**BigRedChief** · 04-21-2013, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Royals fan here with a question.

Why isn't Rosenthal closing?

He's throwing strikes just missing location and giving up too many hits for someone throwing 100 mph. I think we should give the job to him if Mujica doesn't shine. He has the upside. Let him learn on the job.

Miles · 04-22-2013, 12:10 AM

Hopefully Boggs is not broken from his stint at closer.

Mi_chief_fan · 04-22-2013, 05:16 AM

Boggs has gone through stretches like this before, probably why TLR never used him as a closer. He's always bounced back before. FTR, I like Mujica as the closer, but this might become a sabermetrician's dream-closer by committee, just go with match-ups in the 9th. May as well try it.

VAChief · 04-22-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Kevin Siegrist is 23, in Springfield, on the 40 Man, and currently has 17Ks in 8 IPs against two walks.

Probably the best candidate for promotion right now.

I think they see him as a starter and want him to get some more Double A innings. He could be someone they look to if Garcia goes down again. He has good stuff. Dennis Martinez was his High A ball coach and was very high on him. I was hoping he would get a look as lefty specialist too, because Choate didn't impress me and Scrabble has inconsistent success.

I think they were looking harder at Tyler Lyons in spring training for the specialist role, but in the end opted for the two knowns. Seigrist could be an interesting late call up that could help down the stretch. He could be one of those guys that you could leave in against righties too.

VAChief · 04-22-2013, 07:50 PM

Nice, that was one we needed after yesterday's crap fest.

Jewish Rabbi · 04-22-2013, 07:57 PM

What do you know? No Salas, no Boggs, no loss.

**BigRedChief** · 04-22-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

Nice, that was one we needed after yesterday's crap fest.

We are still tied for first place even though we have blown a ton of games. The Reds have played 14 games at home and 6 on the road. We have played 6 at home and 14 on the road.

Swanman · 04-23-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

What do you know? No Salas, no Boggs, no loss.

Mujica's stuff was borderline unfair last night. Rosie was pretty awful yet again but showed a couple of flashes to get out of the inning. I was actually fairly pissed that Kelly didn't come out for the 8th but it ended up working out, barely.

VAChief · 04-23-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

We are still tied for first place even though we have blown a ton of games. The Reds have played 14 games at home and 6 on the road. We have played 6 at home and 14 on the road.

Yes, it wasn't a panic situation, but it is never too early in the season to display resiliency. A strong start by a starter that gets pissed away too often, can affect the whole team. Hitters start trying to do too much, fielders taking unnecessary risks, etc.

Kelly, Rosenthal, and especially Mujica restored order. Keep winning series has been a successful formula here. Hopefully Adam comes out dealing tonight and regardless of the series finale it will be a happy flight home.

**BigRedChief** · 04-23-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

Hopefully Adam comes out dealing tonight and regardless of the series finale it will be a happy flight home.

2 hits, 0 runs going to the 8th inning.

Swanman · 04-24-2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

2 hits, 0 runs going to the 8th inning.

Another great 9th by Mujica with filthy stuff. I know it's a small sample size but I like what I see so far.

Mi_chief_fan · 04-24-2013, 08:32 AM

Garcia vs. Strasburg today, hope to complete the sweep!

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3239627 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: 78,931

04-22-2013, 12:10 AM	#515
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1762400	Hopefully Boggs is not broken from his stint at closer.
Posts: 14,520

04-22-2013, 05:16 AM	#516
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Boggs has gone through stretches like this before, probably why TLR never used him as a closer. He's always bounced back before. FTR, I like Mujica as the closer, but this might become a sabermetrician's dream-closer by committee, just go with match-ups in the 9th. May as well try it. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

04-22-2013, 07:50 PM	#518
VAChief Comfortably Numb Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Virginia Casino cash: $5305842	Nice, that was one we needed after yesterday's crap fest.
Posts: 5,522

04-22-2013, 07:57 PM	#519
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2218320	What do you know? No Salas, no Boggs, no loss.
Posts: 15,526

04-24-2013, 08:32 AM	#525
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Garcia vs. Strasburg today, hope to complete the sweep! __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

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