Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 224

**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

O.city · 07-27-2013, 03:15 PM

While te zone has been bad both ways today, we haven't put many good swings on up there.

Scary in that this is a team we will likely see in October

O.city · 07-27-2013, 03:35 PM

Damn it.

That's what happens when you get behind and can't locate anything but fastball

O.city · 07-27-2013, 03:40 PM

6 hits in 2 days ain't gonna cut it

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-27-2013, 03:53 PM

Jesus Christ.

Joe Kelly gives you 7 shutout innings and you ****ing lose.

It's amazing to me that this team is 23 games over .500 and has the best record in MLB.

O.city · 07-27-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Jesus Christ.

Joe Kelly gives you 7 shutout innings and you ****ing lose.

It's amazing to me that this team is 23 games over .500 and has the best record in MLB.

We'll in there defense, they've been really good this year.

But, based on the past two days, they haven't looked llike it at all.

**BigRedChief** · 07-27-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

No matter what happens, this has been a great start for Kelly.

Why would you take him out of the rotation? His last 3 starts have been Waino like.

**BigRedChief** · 07-27-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

While te zone has been bad both ways today, we haven't put many good swings on up there.

Scary in that this is a team we will likely see in October

Same type of team that beat ATL in ATL in a winner take all game. Beat Washington who was the "hot" team to win the world series. We were looking like we were going to beat San fran and we fell off the cliff.

We are the most rounded team in baseball. There is a reason we still have the best record in baseball. Theres also a reason we have played like we have the last two days.

Pepe Silvia · 07-27-2013, 09:53 PM

We better not look like this against Pittsburgh dammit.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-28-2013, 07:14 PM

Disastrous.

We just cannot hit for shit.

And seriously: **** Heyward. Dude turns into Hank Aaron against us when he's Jeff Francouer against everyone else.

Mi_chief_fan · 07-28-2013, 07:22 PM

Absolute horsehit, 3 nights in a row on national TV. Embarassing.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-28-2013, 07:27 PM

I just don't see this team doing anything in the postseason. Not enough power, starting pitching is too shallow.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-28-2013, 07:40 PM

Lucky break, but 'Tran should have gotten to second on that.

**BigRedChief** · 07-28-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I just don't see this team doing anything in the postseason. Not enough power, starting pitching is too shallow.

Current history has taught us anything, shit happens when the tournament starts. No way you thought we were going to do anything in the playoffs in 2006 or 2011. Ya never know.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-28-2013, 07:59 PM

Freese continues to murder the lineup.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-28-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Current history has taught us anything, shit happens when the tournament starts. No way you thought we were going to do anything in the playoffs in 2006 or 2011. Ya never know.

2011, I certainly did. That team had an elite offense. I know this team leads the league in runs scored, but it requires a ton of effort to score those runs. Seemingly impossible for us to drive the ball.

Unfortunately, Holliday, Craig and Freese don't have the power they demonstrated then, Berkman and Pujols are gone, and Beltran has been lost at the plate for over a month.

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

07-27-2013, 03:15 PM	#3346
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2844064	While te zone has been bad both ways today, we haven't put many good swings on up there. Scary in that this is a team we will likely see in October
Posts: 81,160

07-27-2013, 03:35 PM	#3347
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2844064	Damn it. That's what happens when you get behind and can't locate anything but fastball
Posts: 81,160

07-27-2013, 03:40 PM	#3348
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2844064	6 hits in 2 days ain't gonna cut it
Posts: 81,160

07-27-2013, 03:53 PM	#3349
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4971115	Jesus Christ. Joe Kelly gives you 7 shutout innings and you ****ing lose. It's amazing to me that this team is 23 games over .500 and has the best record in MLB.
Posts: 60,161

07-27-2013, 09:53 PM	#3353
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $2004664	We better not look like this against Pittsburgh dammit.
Posts: 16,531

07-28-2013, 07:14 PM	#3354
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Disastrous. We just cannot hit for shit. And seriously: **** Heyward. Dude turns into Hank Aaron against us when he's Jeff Francouer against everyone else. __________________ "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: 74,820

07-28-2013, 07:22 PM	#3355
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Absolute horsehit, 3 nights in a row on national TV. Embarassing. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

07-28-2013, 07:27 PM	#3356
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	I just don't see this team doing anything in the postseason. Not enough power, starting pitching is too shallow. __________________ "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: 74,820

07-28-2013, 07:40 PM	#3357
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Lucky break, but 'Tran should have gotten to second on that. __________________ "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: 74,820

07-28-2013, 07:59 PM	#3359
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Freese continues to murder the lineup. __________________ "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: 74,820

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