Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 270

**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

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-16-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Freese starts driving it to right center, I think the power will be back. Thats where his power has always been.

But if the ankles are gone, he's probably never going to be much of a power guy again (though he never really was).

He had 20 HR power. That's good pop from a third baseman.

I'd probably apply Occam's Razor to Freese. If his defense is eroding, and one of the largest components of infield defense is lateral movement, what does that say?

What joint controls lateral movement? The ankle. If his ankles are bad in the field they aren't going to be better at the plate, which means that his power is probably gone. He went from hitting 415 foot shots to the opposite field to 380.

I don't think that's just a luck issue.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-16-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

I can see Wong getting some starts at short just to make sure he gets in the lineup. I don't think they completely shut down Freese. They may think giving him more rest will revive him. If Freese is in and Carpenter at second, they might put Wong at short so he can get at bats.

I don't think he's ever played a single professional inning at short.

O.city · 08-16-2013, 11:00 AM

Carp at 3rd Wong starting at 2nd hitting 6th

**BigRedChief** · 08-16-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

folks have been looking to supplant Freese with Wong all season and it just doesn't make sense.

Wellll it seems that Matheny and Mo disagree with your opinion.

DJ's left nut · 08-16-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Wellll it seems that Matheny and Mo disagree with your opinion.

Yeah, Matheny's sure shown a hell of a pulse for personnel, hasn't he?

Jewish Rabbi · 08-16-2013, 02:20 PM

BRC is a ball washing clown.

kcpasco · 08-16-2013, 02:24 PM

Westbrook is worthless.

kcpasco · 08-16-2013, 02:26 PM

Release that pos now. Ive never disliked a player so much

**BigRedChief** · 08-16-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

For further example, look at Holliday. He struggled mightily for the first 1/2 of the year but ultimately the skills re-surfaced and he's been among the best players in the NL since the AS break.

Freese will do the same. Players usually play to the back of their baseball card until the skills erode. I don't think Freese's skills have eroded. He, much like Holliday, seems to finally be finding his groove a little bit. I don't think the power will come back because I don't think he can get the leg drive off that bad ankle, but he's still a solid hitter with a good approach and strong nerves. It's too early to bury him

He's done. Just because he is not Kozma bad doesn't mean he should stay in the lineup.

Holliday is up and down and can be streaky but he always ends up hitting .300/20/100 for years. Now, age may be catching up to him and those numbers will decline. We have to pay Holiday for another 3 years. Freese is in decline and he ain't coming back. And we don't owe him another year.

**BigRedChief** · 08-16-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

BRC is a ball washing clown.

This is not a thread where we hurl personal insults. If you can't refrain from following this unwritten rule, then stay out of the thread.

**BigRedChief** · 08-16-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcpasco

Release that pos now. Ive never disliked a player so much

How can Wacha or Martinez not be a better option than Westbrook?

Mi_chief_fan · 08-16-2013, 03:27 PM

1 hit. Through 5 innings. Off of a ****ing bum the Orioles couldn't wait to dump. **** you, baseball.

kcpasco · 08-16-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

How can Wacha or Martinez not be a better option than Westbrook?

Ya I would like to see Wacha there and only have Jake pitch in blowouts. And why do we always make the Cubs look like a competent ball club? Everyone else always crushes these guys but not the Cards.

kcpasco · 08-16-2013, 03:33 PM

JFC its like the Cards are the only team the Cubs can beat.

Mi_chief_fan · 08-16-2013, 04:09 PM

Shut out with 2 ****ing hits through 7 innings. By a ****ing bum.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3059627 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: 79,076

08-16-2013, 11:00 AM	#4038
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2664064	Carp at 3rd Wong starting at 2nd hitting 6th
Posts: 81,305

08-16-2013, 02:20 PM	#4041
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2038320	BRC is a ball washing clown.
Posts: 15,581

08-16-2013, 02:24 PM	#4042
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Westbrook is worthless.
Posts: 15,477

08-16-2013, 02:26 PM	#4043
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Release that pos now. Ive never disliked a player so much
Posts: 15,477

08-16-2013, 03:27 PM	#4047
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	1 hit. Through 5 innings. Off of a **ing bum the Orioles couldn't wait to dump. ** you, baseball. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

08-16-2013, 03:33 PM	#4049
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	JFC its like the Cards are the only team the Cubs can beat.
Posts: 15,477

08-16-2013, 04:09 PM	#4050
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Shut out with 2 **ing hits through 7 innings. By a **ing bum. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517