Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 233

**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 · 07-30-2013, 07:24 PM

This team is due for about two months of hitting .200 w/RISP. When that happens, they'll tank and tank hard because they have absolutely no power. The Royals have twice as many HRs this month as the Cardinals.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 07:25 PM

Missed another hanger. 86-76, here we come.

Pepe Silvia · 07-30-2013, 07:26 PM

This is a ****ing nightmare, we're doing exactly what we couldn't do. I don't think we take one game in this series. Pathetic.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 07:35 PM

Yadi and Craig's BABIP regression is kicking in, Holliday can't hit a mediocre fastball, Freese can't hit anything, Kozma is Kozma, Carpenter is in a slump, Beltran is totally lost, Adams can easily be pitched to, and Jay is a bum.

Bottom line: they're shitty.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 07:41 PM

Yadi is out of the game. We be ****ed.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 07:53 PM

Good God.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 08:02 PM

Goddamn, I ****ing hate Matt Holliday.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 08:22 PM

I have literally run out of things to say. I hate Holliday so much I am completely incapable of expressing it any longer. I hate him more than Salas and Boggs to the Kozma power.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 08:32 PM

This is a completely ****ing pathetic offensive display. Cumpton is a mediocre AA pitcher.

Mi_chief_fan · 07-30-2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

This is a completely ****ing pathetic offensive display. Cumpton is a mediocre AA pitcher.

I normally don't overreact, but it seems like Matheny has lost this team. They went from best team in baseball to laying down & quitting in less than a week. I have no explanation.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

I normally don't overreact, but it seems like Matheny has lost this team. They went from best team in baseball to laying down & quitting in less than a week. I have no explanation.

There are a ton of issues with this team. In some ways it reminds me of the Houston Texans. They beat up on terrible teams but always shrink from the occasion against good teams in big scenarios. Swept by the Rangers, 2-6 against the Pirates, swept by the Braves, 1-2 vs. the A's.

They can't hit lefties, can't hit inside pitches, have absolutely no power, no speed, and the back 3/5 of their rotation is average at best.

I got fooled by this team, but they're fraudulent. Probably an 88-90 win team at best right now.

**BigRedChief** · 07-30-2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Yadi is out of the game. We be ****ed.

This pisses me off. They left Yadi in blowout games. Didn't give him games off against the Cubs/Astros/Royals etc. I remember several games we were up 5+ runs late and Yadi was still in there.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 09:01 PM

Well, Mike Matheny is a ****ing dumbass. I don't really know what else to say.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 09:06 PM

You know what: We are probably best just standing pat. Just let this team falter and hope that the cost-controlled talent improves the team next year. I think this collection of players is too flawed to risk losing Martinez, Wacha, or Taveras when they are likely torpedoed anyway.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-30-2013, 09:08 PM

Six games, six losses, no more than two runs in any game, two shutouts.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3149627 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: 79,009

07-30-2013, 07:24 PM	#3481
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	This team is due for about two months of hitting .200 w/RISP. When that happens, they'll tank and tank hard because they have absolutely no power. The Royals have twice as many HRs this month as the Cardinals. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 07:25 PM	#3482
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Missed another hanger. 86-76, here we come. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 07:26 PM	#3483
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $1914664	This is a ****ing nightmare, we're doing exactly what we couldn't do. I don't think we take one game in this series. Pathetic.
Posts: 16,567

07-30-2013, 07:35 PM	#3484
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Yadi and Craig's BABIP regression is kicking in, Holliday can't hit a mediocre fastball, Freese can't hit anything, Kozma is Kozma, Carpenter is in a slump, Beltran is totally lost, Adams can easily be pitched to, and Jay is a bum. Bottom line: they're shitty. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 07:41 PM	#3485
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Yadi is out of the game. We be ****ed. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 07:53 PM	#3486
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Good God. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 08:02 PM	#3487
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Goddamn, I ****ing hate Matt Holliday. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 08:22 PM	#3488
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	I have literally run out of things to say. I hate Holliday so much I am completely incapable of expressing it any longer. I hate him more than Salas and Boggs to the Kozma power. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 08:32 PM	#3489
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	This is a completely ****ing pathetic offensive display. Cumpton is a mediocre AA pitcher. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 09:01 PM	#3493
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Well, Mike Matheny is a ****ing dumbass. I don't really know what else to say. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 09:06 PM	#3494
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	You know what: We are probably best just standing pat. Just let this team falter and hope that the cost-controlled talent improves the team next year. I think this collection of players is too flawed to risk losing Martinez, Wacha, or Taveras when they are likely torpedoed anyway. __________________ "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: 74,825

07-30-2013, 09:08 PM	#3495
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Six games, six losses, no more than two runs in any game, two shutouts. __________________ "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: 74,825