Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 155

**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

Jewish Rabbi · 06-23-2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I think I said it yesterday, but I'll Q myself: our 7&8 hitters are ****ing killing us the last week or so.

Special props to Holliday. Two balls put in play that have traveled a total distance of about 11 feet.

I don't know what there is on the market, but I'd be looking pretty hard for a SS at the deadline. Pretty clear that the book is out on Kozma by this point.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 10:49 PM

Holliday must think that it's still the 2011 WS.

If you combine that series with this one, Holliday is 3/28 against the Rangers.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

I don't know what there is on the market, but I'd be looking pretty hard for a SS at the deadline. Pretty clear that the book is out on Kozma by this point.

There's nothin'.

You might be able to get a guy like Alexei Ramirez, but his numbers have declined three straight years and he's on the wrong side of 30.

O.city · 06-23-2013, 10:59 PM

After watching the last two games from the greenies and tonight's from the couch, I can say, we've hit more hard balls in this series that have ended in outs than the last 5 combined.

An yeah if we want a SS, we are gonna have to unload some prospects for it cause there is shit out there for cheap

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:00 PM

We really need to bring Jackson up and give him a run at short. If he establishes that he's a AAAA, Tyler Greene guy, then fine, but I can't take any more Kozma.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

After watching the last two games from the greenies and tonight's from the couch, I can say, we've hit more hard balls in this series that have ended in outs than the last 5 combined.

An yeah if we want a SS, we are gonna have to unload some prospects for it cause there is shit out there for cheap

There is shit out there period.

You wanna trade for Tulowitzki, who couldn't stay healthy inside of a bubble with padded walls?

Everth Cabrera is hurt and tied to Biogenesis.

Erick Aybar sucks and has an awful contract.

Pretty much all the other top SSs are either young and cost-controlled (Segura) or are playing for buyers.

I really don't want to give up anything for Jim ****ing Rollins.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:07 PM

Waino's change got Cruz earlier in the game. He might consider going to it here.

O.city · 06-23-2013, 11:09 PM

Rollins would be interesting if he wouldn't cost a boatload, without knowing his contract.. He wouldn't need to lead off here, but I'm not a big fan.

With profar coming on, andrus is interesting but I don't think he's available

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:10 PM

****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O.city · 06-23-2013, 11:10 PM

I'd also start looking for a CFer. Jay just ain't it

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Rollins would be interesting if he wouldn't cost a boatload, without knowing his contract.. He wouldn't need to lead off here, but I'm not a big fan.

With profar coming on, andrus is interesting but I don't think he's available

Andrus' contract is horrible and he's played worse than Kozma this year.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I'd also start looking for a CFer. Jay just ain't it

Wish for the A's to lose about 25 straight games then we can work a deal for Jed Lowrie and Coco Crisp.

Jewish Rabbi · 06-23-2013, 11:14 PM

Shoulda pulled him after the double instead of trying not to use the double switch. If we lose, this one's on Matheny.

O.city · 06-23-2013, 11:14 PM

Jesus

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-23-2013, 11:15 PM

God, **** I hate Kozma.

Now there are two on he rolls the ****ing lineup over, too.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3179627 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: 78,979

06-23-2013, 10:49 PM	#2312
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Holliday must think that it's still the 2011 WS. If you combine that series with this one, Holliday is 3/28 against the Rangers. __________________ "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

06-23-2013, 10:59 PM	#2314
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	After watching the last two games from the greenies and tonight's from the couch, I can say, we've hit more hard balls in this series that have ended in outs than the last 5 combined. An yeah if we want a SS, we are gonna have to unload some prospects for it cause there is shit out there for cheap
Posts: 81,202

06-23-2013, 11:00 PM	#2315
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	We really need to bring Jackson up and give him a run at short. If he establishes that he's a AAAA, Tyler Greene guy, then fine, but I can't take any more Kozma. __________________ "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

06-23-2013, 11:07 PM	#2317
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Waino's change got Cruz earlier in the game. He might consider going to it here. __________________ "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

06-23-2013, 11:09 PM	#2318
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Rollins would be interesting if he wouldn't cost a boatload, without knowing his contract.. He wouldn't need to lead off here, but I'm not a big fan. With profar coming on, andrus is interesting but I don't think he's available
Posts: 81,202

06-23-2013, 11:10 PM	#2319
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ "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

06-23-2013, 11:10 PM	#2320
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	I'd also start looking for a CFer. Jay just ain't it
Posts: 81,202

06-23-2013, 11:14 PM	#2323
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2158320	Shoulda pulled him after the double instead of trying not to use the double switch. If we lose, this one's on Matheny.
Posts: 15,541

06-23-2013, 11:14 PM	#2324
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2784064	Jesus
Posts: 81,202

06-23-2013, 11:15 PM	#2325
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	God, ** I hate Kozma. Now there are two on he rolls the **ing lineup over, too. __________________ "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