Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 31

**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

Pasta Little Brioni · 04-14-2013, 03:39 PM

**** it, I vote Salas Douche of the Year

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04-14-2013, 03:40 PM

They might as well DFA Salas. He's been worthless since the 2011 post season.

Jewish Rabbi · 04-14-2013, 03:51 PM

Boggsringhausen strikes again.

Hootie · 04-14-2013, 03:54 PM

so who is going to end up being closer for you guys?

Who do I need to pick up for my fantasy team?

Jewish Rabbi · 04-14-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

so who is going to end up being closer for you guys?

Who do I need to pick up for my fantasy team?

Our bullpen sucks ass right now. I'd stay away from all of them.

Hootie · 04-14-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Our bullpen sucks ass right now. I'd stay away from all of them.

I picked up Rosenthal. He's got to get the next chance, right?

Jewish Rabbi · 04-14-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I picked up Rosenthal. He's got to get the next chance, right?

Maybe. But he's a gas can at this point as well.

**BigRedChief** · 04-14-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douchemaster General

Let's just hope it doesn't take Matheny as long to pull the plug on Boggs as it did LaRussa to dump Franklin. I've seen more than enough of that turd. And Salas, too.

I still like Rosenthal because of the upside. He just didn't get that fastball outside far enough. He's a rookie, its going to happen. but, look what he did after giving up that dinger? Pitched like a lights out closer. Mixed up his pitches, good placement. Yadi should get him mixing up his pitches better.

Take the hit for the mistakes now for getting a reliable closer later in the season.

Swanman · 04-15-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I picked up Rosenthal. He's got to get the next chance, right?

I would give it to Mujica before Rosenthal. Rosenthal has looked like shit in the majority of his last several outings. Mujica doesn't blow anyone away but he is solid and he avoids belt high middle of the plate fastballs.

Marco Polo · 04-15-2013, 08:21 AM

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny indicated Sunday that Edward Mujica might be tried at closer.

Mitchell Boggs has been awful in place of the injured Jason Motte (elbow) and Trevor Rosenthal hasn't been much better in a setup role. "Right now, Mujica’s making good pitches and getting the big outs when we need them," Matheny told reporters on Sunday evening. The right-hander is worth adding right now in most fantasy leagues.

Pasta Little Brioni · 04-15-2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

so who is going to end up being closer for you guys?

Who do I need to pick up for my fantasy team?

Pick up Salas. What could possibly go wrong!!!

Pasta Little Brioni · 04-15-2013, 05:51 PM

The closer spot is going to **** this team out of a postseason birth this year. Next turd in line!!

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-15-2013, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

The closer spot is going to **** this team out of a postseason birth this year. Next turd in line!!

We seem to say that every year, but this time, I think we're going to be right.

Seems like we have a bullpen full of Ricky Vaughans. Guys that throw rockets, but with no control.

Mi_chief_fan · 04-15-2013, 06:28 PM

At 10-1, I think they've Boggs-proofed this one. Hopefully.

Mi_chief_fan · 04-15-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

At 10-1, I think they've Boggs-proofed this one. Hopefully.

Or not. 10-4.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3179627 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: 78,971

04-14-2013, 03:39 PM	#451
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $4018880	** it, I vote Salas Douche of the Year __________________ Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
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04-14-2013, 03:40 PM	#452
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	They might as well DFA Salas. He's been worthless since the 2011 post season. __________________ "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
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04-14-2013, 03:51 PM	#453
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2158320	Boggsringhausen strikes again.
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04-14-2013, 03:54 PM	#454
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	so who is going to end up being closer for you guys? Who do I need to pick up for my fantasy team?
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04-15-2013, 08:21 AM	#460
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $5828908	Cardinals manager Mike Matheny indicated Sunday that Edward Mujica might be tried at closer. Mitchell Boggs has been awful in place of the injured Jason Motte (elbow) and Trevor Rosenthal hasn't been much better in a setup role. "Right now, Mujica’s making good pitches and getting the big outs when we need them," Matheny told reporters on Sunday evening. The right-hander is worth adding right now in most fantasy leagues.
Posts: 2,506

04-15-2013, 05:51 PM	#462
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $4018880	The closer spot is going to ** this team out of a postseason birth this year. Next turd in line!! __________________ Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 68,382

04-15-2013, 06:28 PM	#464
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	At 10-1, I think they've Boggs-proofed this one. Hopefully. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
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