***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

[VAChief]

"That's a winner!"

[Frazod]

I like that locker room shirt. I think I'll get one of those.

[lewdog]

I'm here to see what winning feels like.

Congrats.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I'm here to see what winning feels like.

Congrats.

Thanks.

It feels pretty good.

My other teams are the Chiefs and Mizzou. The Cards keep me from ****ing murdering people.

[kcxiv]

if it stands as is. Its the Dodgers vs Cardinals in game one.

Im Assuming Kershaw vs Wainwright?

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

if it stands as is. Its the Dodgers vs Cardinals in game one.

Im Assuming Kershaw vs Wainwright?

Yep. I don't really see this changing, either. Philly's nearly as wretched at this point as Chicago, and they already wasted Lee.

[kcxiv]

Should be a great series, one that may go 7. I dont know who our 3rd starter is, but i do know Donnie said its Kershaw and Grienke.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

Should be a great series, one that may go 7. I dont know who our 3rd starter is, but i do know Donnie said its Kershaw and Grienke.

We have beat Kershaw twice this year. Hopefully, there will be a 3rd!

[Frazod]

Should be good series all the way around. I think (and hope) that Pittsburgh gets in over Cincinnati, and they're a real pain in the ass. They can give anybody trouble.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I'm here to see what winning feels like.

Congrats.

You guys finally got to root for a winner. Same path we took, the Royals can. Going to have to draft and develop better but its possible to beat the $200 million payrolls/$2 BILLION TV contracts of LA and NY.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

We have beat Kershaw twice this year. Hopefully, there will be a 3rd!

he's lost like 9 times. His era ended up at 1.83. For a while he was getting absolutely no run support. Losing games 2-1 and 1-0. It was ridiculous the games he's lost this year. Think he only gave up 4 runs at the most in one game all year and that was like 2 weeks ago.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by frazod

That catch by Jay might actually impress Hamas.

Looks like Holliday is going to get his usual .300/20/100 too.

You got to give it up for the guy. When Molina went down, he turned it up. With Craig out, he has kept the foot on the gas pedal.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

he's lost like 9 times. His era ended up at 1.83. For a while he was getting absolutely no run support. Losing games 2-1 and 1-0. It was ridiculous the games he's lost this year. Think he only gave up 4 runs at the most in one game all year and that was like 2 weeks ago.

I was just poking ya. Kershaw is one of the best in the game. He will be damn tuff to beat.

[Frazod]

Every time I let up on Holliday he tanks.

SO **** YOU HOLLIDAY. TRY TO CATCH THE GODDAMN LAZY FLIES BALLS THIS TIME YOU ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by frazod

I like that locker room shirt. I think I'll get one of those.

I like those too.