Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 252

**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

duncan_idaho · 08-08-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Good for Shelby, but I'm always wary of any Cardinal injury. Our training staff is completely incompetent and has been for as long as I can recall. If only someone could slice Westbrook's UCL in his sleep. Today's start is must-see.

This made me think of watching Scott Rolen start crying after taking a swing at the plate (post-labrum or whatever). As I recall, he had been completely cleared to play by the Cardinals training staff in that instance.

duncan_idaho · 08-08-2013, 11:04 AM

What are the current thoughts on Oscar Taveras? I am seeing some Cardinals fans who now are pro-trade for Taveras.

I think they're crazy...

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

What are the current thoughts on Oscar Taveras? I am seeing some Cardinals fans who now are pro-trade for Taveras.

I think they're crazy...

Anyone who wants to trade Taveras should be spayed or neutered. Wil Myers, who was not the minor league hitter that Taveras is, is looking like a 5-6 WAR player right now.

Are there more than five players who could give you more surplus value than what Taveras looks to provide?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

This made me think of watching Scott Rolen start crying after taking a swing at the plate (post-labrum or whatever). As I recall, he had been completely cleared to play by the Cardinals training staff in that instance.

They've been horrific for as long as I've been actively watching them. All through the LaRussa years our players (sans Albert) were always out longer than initially expected. They were frequently misdiagnosed, and the pitchers broke down at an absolutely preposterous rate.

IMO, that's the one organizational weakness.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 02:20 PM

RH power bats that are out there:

Jason Bay
Mark Reynolds.

We could really use that pop off the bench.

**BigRedChief** · 08-08-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So they're thinking miller won't miss any time.

@Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez will be recalled from Memphis (AAA) to make start tomorrow in series finale vs. Dodgers.

you were wanting him to be fresh for the playoffs. Now you have the perfect excuse to rest him a start or two.

Especially if Martinez pitched 5-to 6 good innings.

**BigRedChief** · 08-08-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Anyone who wants to trade Taveras should be spayed or neutered. Wil Myers, who was not the minor league hitter that Taveras is, is looking like a 5-6 WAR player right now.

Are there more than five players who could give you more surplus value than what Taveras looks to provide?

I know but before the season the Profar trade was looking good. RF/1B could be played by Beltran/Craig/Adams

But now Jay has to go, Freese has to go. Holliday is in decline. We need Taveras's offense and play CF.

Pepe Silvia · 08-08-2013, 07:05 PM

**** the Dodgers and **** this Ryu guy.

O.city · 08-08-2013, 07:11 PM

So I'm not watching live, but it seems the dodgers have had a shit ton of infield singles already

Mi_chief_fan · 08-08-2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So I'm not watching live, but it seems the dodgers have had a shit ton of infield singles already

Yes, they've really not hit anything hard, he's got in on Dodger hitters consistantly. Just bad luck.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

So I'm not watching live, but it seems the dodgers have had a shit ton of infield singles already

Absolutely preposterous. Of their five hits, one was hit mildly solid, and even that was just a slap hit to the opposite field.

We got ours back, though. Ethier dropped the ball as he took it out of his glove, then lackadaisically tossed it into the IF, over the 2B's head. It then hit off the corner of the base, shot into left field, and Holliday scored during the confusion.

Martinez's command has been spotty at times, but I don't think Johnson is calling nearly enough curveballs. It's a plus-plus pitch, he's getting to two strikes on almost everyone, and he's just having him throw two or four seamers every time.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I know but before the season the Profar trade was looking good. RF/1B could be played by Beltran/Craig/Adams

But now Jay has to go, Freese has to go. Holliday is in decline. We need Taveras's offense and play CF.

I never supported that idea. FWIW, WAR is a good metric over the course of a season, but I'll always take the 6 WAR RF in a clutch AB over a 6 WAR SS.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 07:41 PM

Another grounder that finds a hole

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-08-2013, 07:46 PM

****!!

These mother****ers just have our number. Ellis is a worthless shitbag. Giving up a HR to that two bit ****stain is killer.

L.A. Chieffan · 08-08-2013, 07:46 PM

A.J.!

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3009627 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: 79,136

08-08-2013, 11:04 AM	#3767
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1620308	What are the current thoughts on Oscar Taveras? I am seeing some Cardinals fans who now are pro-trade for Taveras. I think they're crazy... __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
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08-08-2013, 02:20 PM	#3770
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7989572	RH power bats that are out there: Jason Bay Mark Reynolds. We could really use that pop off the bench. __________________ "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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08-08-2013, 07:05 PM	#3773
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Posts: 16,598

08-08-2013, 07:11 PM	#3774
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2614064	So I'm not watching live, but it seems the dodgers have had a shit ton of infield singles already
Posts: 81,349

08-08-2013, 07:41 PM	#3778
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Posts: 74,833

08-08-2013, 07:46 PM	#3779
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7989572	**!! These motherers just have our number. Ellis is a worthless shitbag. Giving up a HR to that two bit **stain is killer. __________________ "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
Posts: 74,833

08-08-2013, 07:46 PM	#3780
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $4008654	A.J.!
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