Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 18

**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

tecumseh · 04-02-2013, 08:10 AM

Better than the Cubs , not as good as the Reds.

Jewish Rabbi · 04-02-2013, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I turned in somewhat early, but I watched most of it. Probably a good thing I stopped before they put that useless **** Salas in

HOW IN THE HELL IS HE STILL ON THE TEAM

Wainwright didn't look bad. Unfortunately, the other guy looked great.

There is way too much pitching depth in this franchise for Salas to be in the major leagues.

Wainwright looked really good the first three innings, but ran out of gas... IN THE FOURTH INNING!?

The offense also reminded me a lot of last year. It became clear after the third inning that it was gonna be one of those games. Hopefully just opening day jitters, or I'm gonna have a long, pissed off season.

Marcellus · 04-02-2013, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

There is way too much pitching depth in this franchise for Salas to be in the major leagues.

Wainwright looked really good the first three innings, but ran out of gas... IN THE FOURTH INNING!?

The offense also reminded me a lot of last year. It became clear after the third inning that it was gonna be one of those games. Hopefully just opening day jitters, or I'm gonna have a long, pissed off season.

I think that line drive off his right shoulder may have had something to do with it.

Jewish Rabbi · 04-02-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I think that line drive off his right shoulder may have had something to do with it.

Hit his arm, not his shoulder. Said it didn't affect him in any way.

LiL stumppy · 04-02-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

For what reason?

No idea, I assume because of Sprigfields stadium, just a rumor ive heard.

Marcellus · 04-02-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Hit his arm, not his shoulder. Said it didn't affect him in any way.

Looked like the back of the shoulder to me but thats not really relevant anyway.

I know what he said. Things also took a nose dive shortly there after. He wont admit it effected him now either even if it did. He and Carp are pretty stubborn that way so its hard to tell.

Regardless it wasn't pretty but it was 1 game. The shit base running is something I still cant figure out. That's going on about 3 years now.

Pepe Silvia · 04-02-2013, 08:37 PM

Need to take game 2 tonight. Frickin' Montero!

Jewish Rabbi · 04-02-2013, 09:55 PM

Bats woke up today!

DJ's left nut · 04-02-2013, 10:28 PM

Heath Bell has that effect on bats.

Side note - Trevor Rosenthal still throws really really hard. Went up the ladder twice to punch guys out at 100 mph tonight. The kid has some of the easiest gas you'll ever see.

Demonpenz · 04-02-2013, 10:35 PM

Nice bullpen...young kid from Lees Summit running up there at 100 mph

Demonpenz · 04-02-2013, 10:35 PM

Mitchell Boggs is in there to wrap up this game.

Demonpenz · 04-02-2013, 10:38 PM

St.Louis wins 6-1

Mi_chief_fan · 04-03-2013, 06:56 AM

In regards to Waino, his results wouldn't look that bad if Beltran were 100% and ran down a couple of those catchable balls that ended up being run scoring doubles.

Swanman · 04-03-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Heath Bell has that effect on bats.

Side note - Trevor Rosenthal still throws really really hard. Went up the ladder twice to punch guys out at 100 mph tonight. The kid has some of the easiest gas you'll ever see.

Kozma and Jay absolutely MURDERED those two homeruns. Bell was less effective than a pitching machine. And what's up with that pussy in center field that ran away and let his gf/wife/sister get hit square in the face by Kozma's homerun? The Cardinal announcers were dogging him pretty well, and he deserved it.

Mi_chief_fan · 04-03-2013, 08:37 AM

I know it hurts the Reds, but I feel kinda bad for Ryan Ludwick. He may come back this year, but I doubt he'll be effective.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3229627 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: 78,937

04-02-2013, 08:10 AM	#256
tecumseh Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sweet Spot Casino cash: $9990615	Better than the Cubs , not as good as the Reds.
Posts: 4,429

04-02-2013, 08:37 PM	#262
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $1994664	Need to take game 2 tonight. Frickin' Montero!
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04-02-2013, 09:55 PM	#263
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2208320	Bats woke up today!
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04-02-2013, 10:28 PM	#264
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $3089099	Heath Bell has that effect on bats. Side note - Trevor Rosenthal still throws really really hard. Went up the ladder twice to punch guys out at 100 mph tonight. The kid has some of the easiest gas you'll ever see. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
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04-02-2013, 10:35 PM	#265
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3202136	Nice bullpen...young kid from Lees Summit running up there at 100 mph __________________
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04-02-2013, 10:35 PM	#266
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3202136	Mitchell Boggs is in there to wrap up this game. __________________
Posts: 54,238

04-02-2013, 10:38 PM	#267
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3202136	St.Louis wins 6-1 __________________
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04-03-2013, 06:56 AM	#268
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	In regards to Waino, his results wouldn't look that bad if Beltran were 100% and ran down a couple of those catchable balls that ended up being run scoring doubles. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
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04-03-2013, 08:37 AM	#270
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	I know it hurts the Reds, but I feel kinda bad for Ryan Ludwick. He may come back this year, but I doubt he'll be effective. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517