***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread

[BigRedChief]

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]

Originally Posted by O.city

What a shit performance from Mujica there.


Damn it we needed that win.

Rivera doesn't save em all. Not realistic to expect Mujica to save them all. But we can expect a 9th inning guy to keep the ball down in the zone. Not throw such fat pitches to batters.

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Rivera doesn't save em all. Not realistic to expect Mujica to save them all. But we can expect a 9th inning guy to keep the ball down in the zone. Not throw such fat pitches to batters.

I had a bad feeling when they put up the 21 for 21 saves stat. Since he took over as closer on April 18, here are the blown saves totals for some other closers:

Jim Johnson 5, Jonathan Papelbon 4, Aroldis Chapman 3, Craig Kimbrel 3. (from the Dispatch article this morning)

Mujica is probably one of those guys you actually need to use more whether you need to or not. He has to stay sharp.

[Pepe Silvia]

Originally Posted by O.city

What a shit performance from Mujica there.


Damn it we needed that win.

**** yes we needed it, especially when the Pirates lost. That was brutal. Need to get our shit together, fast.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by VAChief

I had a bad feeling when they put up the 21 for 21 saves stat. Since he took over as closer on April 18, here are the blown saves totals for some other closers:

Jim Johnson 5, Jonathan Papelbon 4, Aroldis Chapman 3, Craig Kimbrel 3. (from the Dispatch article this morning)

Mujica is probably one of those guys you actually need to use more whether you need to or not. He has to stay sharp.

One game no big deal. As long as its an isolated game. But, if he has trouble, struggles, I'm for moving Rosenthal into the closer role, Sigriest into the 8th and Mujica to the 7th.

Does anyone think Mujics's going to get the job done all year and into the playoffs?

[Pasta Little Brioni]

I think he comes crashing down to Earth

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

One game no big deal. As long as its an isolated game. But, if he has trouble, struggles, I'm for moving Rosenthal into the closer role, Sigriest into the 8th and Mujica to the 7th.

Does anyone think Mujics's going to get the job done all year and into the playoffs?

Good closers shake off an outing like that and move on. Time will tell. I love Rosenthal's power arm, he needs to learn to be a little more efficient at times. It will help him move to a starter role down the road.

If I was Kelly I would be taking in everything Mujica was willing to share about his change. He will never be a top end starter, but I think he could still develop into a closer. Right now he is Manny Aybar, all star arm, little league location.

[Pepe Silvia]

We better close this one out against the shitty ass Marlins or I will lose it.

[VAChief]

That was efficient!

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

We better close this one out against the shitty ass Marlins or I will lose it.

The Marlins have the best record in baseball since May 31st.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by PGM

I think he comes crashing down to Earth

I heard on the broadcast tonight Mujica's post game comments from last night.

Mujica said he has not shaked off Molina since he arrived in St, Louis until last night. He shook him off twice. Once was the Hamilton home run, Second one was the game winning hit.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I heard on the broadcast tonight Mujica's post game comments from last night.

Mujica said he has not shaked off Molina since he arrived in St, Louis until last night. He shook him off twice. Once was the Hamilton home run, Second one was the game winning hit.

Charlie, here comes the deuce. And when you speak of me, speak well.

[Pepe Silvia]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

The Marlins have the best record in baseball since May 31st.

Its just a hot streak. They will still lose close to 100 games.

[BigRedChief]

Lest we forget our daily dose of Wiggington hate:

Total AB's =5-35 A wonderful .142
Current streak = 0-15

[O.city]

Sorry guys hate to break it to ya, but I'm in the green seats again this weekend.


Happy birthday to me

[O.city]

Adams!!!


Holliday suckin