Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 254

**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

**BigRedChief** · 08-09-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Here is what you're proposing:

Wong+Carpenter+RH Bench bat > Wong, Freese, Carpenter

That's poor value. My idea allows the Cardinals to rest Holliday, Craig, and Freese, none of whom are pictures of health, while never sabotaging the lineup with a Shane Robinson or Ty Wigginton to do so. Furthermore, you aren't Profaring Wong in this example.

Freese will play all the time. Holliday will play all the time. No way Matheny cuts back their playing time. Surely we can get a better RH bat off the bench this off season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Furthermore, you aren't Profaring Wong in this example.

I'm 100% down with trading Wong. I get it. But it's nice to have seven above average-great ML hitters for six spots than six, especially when you can parcel out ABs like that.

You know the market and other teams way better than myself.

Is there any SS's out there worth trading our top guys for? And if so who and what would it take?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-09-2013, 06:04 PM

Freese has played more than 100 games once. His high is 144 in 2012. Has he ever had a season in the bigs when he wasn't on the DL?

Holliday is a 33 year old who just got off the DL. He's been pretty durable save 2011, but he's also a declining player who could use the rest and who would still get several ABs off the bench. He only has 92 starts this year out of 110 games.

These are problems that solve themselves, because Freese's body definitely can't handle a full season of wear, and Holliday's will become less and less likely.

As far as shortstops, you could try and buy low on an intra-divisional trade for Starlin Castro. The Cubs have a SS who is raking in High A, but he's not likely in Chicago for two years. Assdribble Cabrera is likely going to be a trade target in the offseason because the Indians have a really good prospect breathing down his neck, and he's a FA after 2014.

There isn't much out there.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-09-2013, 06:30 PM

Eighty-nine belt high on the inside corner and we reverse K two ABs in a row. And you wonder why this team can't hit LHP

Mi_chief_fan · 08-09-2013, 06:52 PM

I have a feeling they'll end up beating this one like a drum.

Mi_chief_fan · 08-09-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

I have a feeling they'll end up beating this one like a drum.

Or not. Good lord.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-09-2013, 07:52 PM

It's just too damned easy to keep a team scoreless when they have no home run power. This guy has left a lot of pitches up and the Cardinals are completely incapable of driving them over the wall.

O.city · 08-09-2013, 07:53 PM

Did Craig just miss one?

Jewish Rabbi · 08-09-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Did Craig just miss one?

If by just miss one, you mean hit a ball to the track that never looked like it was going out, then yes.

kcpasco · 08-09-2013, 08:01 PM

Pit getting crushed tonight and the Cards cant push 1 damn run across.

kcpasco · 08-09-2013, 08:10 PM

Oh JFC enough with Kozma. The guy cannot hit at this level.

kcpasco · 08-09-2013, 08:14 PM

Late inning tight ball game. This is where we find a way to lose.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-09-2013, 08:15 PM

Jesus ****...that you would even need a conference for that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcpasco

Late inning tight ball game. This is where we find a way to lose.

P. much

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-09-2013, 08:17 PM

And now Lynn has gone Section 8

kcpasco · 08-09-2013, 08:18 PM

Lynn has pitched well tonight but its time to pull him

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-09-2013, 08:19 PM

Matheny sitting on his ass too long again.

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: 79,010

08-09-2013, 06:04 PM	#3797
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Freese has played more than 100 games once. His high is 144 in 2012. Has he ever had a season in the bigs when he wasn't on the DL? Holliday is a 33 year old who just got off the DL. He's been pretty durable save 2011, but he's also a declining player who could use the rest and who would still get several ABs off the bench. He only has 92 starts this year out of 110 games. These are problems that solve themselves, because Freese's body definitely can't handle a full season of wear, and Holliday's will become less and less likely. As far as shortstops, you could try and buy low on an intra-divisional trade for Starlin Castro. The Cubs have a SS who is raking in High A, but he's not likely in Chicago for two years. Assdribble Cabrera is likely going to be a trade target in the offseason because the Indians have a really good prospect breathing down his neck, and he's a FA after 2014. There isn't much out there. __________________ "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

08-09-2013, 06:30 PM	#3798
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Eighty-nine belt high on the inside corner and we reverse K two ABs in a row. And you wonder why this team can't hit LHP __________________ "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

08-09-2013, 06:52 PM	#3799
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	I have a feeling they'll end up beating this one like a drum. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

08-09-2013, 07:52 PM	#3801
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	It's just too damned easy to keep a team scoreless when they have no home run power. This guy has left a lot of pitches up and the Cardinals are completely incapable of driving them over the wall. __________________ "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

08-09-2013, 07:53 PM	#3802
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2754064	Did Craig just miss one?
Posts: 81,237

08-09-2013, 08:01 PM	#3804
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Pit getting crushed tonight and the Cards cant push 1 damn run across.
Posts: 15,477

08-09-2013, 08:10 PM	#3805
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Oh JFC enough with Kozma. The guy cannot hit at this level.
Posts: 15,477

08-09-2013, 08:14 PM	#3806
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Late inning tight ball game. This is where we find a way to lose.
Posts: 15,477

08-09-2013, 08:17 PM	#3808
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	And now Lynn has gone Section 8 __________________ "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

08-09-2013, 08:18 PM	#3809
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Lynn has pitched well tonight but its time to pull him
Posts: 15,477

08-09-2013, 08:19 PM	#3810
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Matheny sitting on his ass too long again. __________________ "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