Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 227

**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

**BigRedChief** · 07-29-2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Sorry, but I just don't believe in these guys against good teams in big games. This is the same group that completely shit their pants when they had three straight chances to get to the World Series. It's not the 2011 team. There is no power in this lineup, it gets carved up by LHP, and it's becoming increasingly easy for any team to pitch to them by busting them inside.

Albert Pujols isn't walking through that door. Lance Berkman isn't walking through that door, and Chris Carpenter isn't walking through that door.

What you say can't be denied. It's just facts.

Waino and Molina are walking through that door. Thats some hefty presence in the locker room and on the field. When they speak, they speak with the authority that only players who have won championships and are currently playing at the top level of the game can. That does matter. How much? We will see. After 2006 and 2011 I'll never say its over till its over.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-29-2013, 05:58 PM

Westbrook should have given up eight or nine runs by now. This is the worst location I've seen from a Cardinal starter all year. To call this BP is a disservice to the difficulty of hitting BP.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-29-2013, 06:10 PM

Craig cannot hit a slider at all this year.

**BigRedChief** · 07-29-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Craig cannot hit a slider at all this year.

Molina went for that shit pitch too. Must be deceptive. Molina doesn't usually look that bad. Freaking Holliday squared one up and hit it hard then Craig and Molina look like shit.

This is painful to watch.

Frazod · 07-29-2013, 06:23 PM

Somebody let me know when the real team shows up again. I'm still getting regular blasts of shit from my wife the Braves fan over the sweep, and really don't need anymore pain from these idiots right now.

Pepe Silvia · 07-29-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Somebody let me know when the real team shows up again. I'm still getting regular blasts of shit from my wife the Braves fan over the sweep, and really don't need anymore pain from these idiots right now.

Just remind her of all those missing Rings the Braves had from the 90's.

Pepe Silvia · 07-29-2013, 06:27 PM

All of a sudden Liriano is ****ing Cy Young, ugh.

Mi_chief_fan · 07-29-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

All of a sudden Liriano is ****ing Cy Young, ugh.

No, that's Teheran.

Frazod · 07-29-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

Just remind her of all those missing Rings the Braves had from the 90's.

Well, that and who eliminated who from the playoffs last year.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-29-2013, 06:33 PM

I'm sick of this leaning in bullshit. The next time Walker comes up he's taking one square in the ****ing back.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-29-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Molina went for that shit pitch too. Must be deceptive. Molina doesn't usually look that bad. Freaking Holliday squared one up and hit it hard then Craig and Molina look like shit.

This is painful to watch.

Craig is significantly below average against the slider, period. Liriano has a great slider. Against him, Craig will likely never get a hit.

Pepe Silvia · 07-29-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I'm sick of this leaning in bullshit. The next time Walker comes up he's taking one square in the ****ing back.

Do "The Dorn", take one for the team.

Pepe Silvia · 07-29-2013, 06:45 PM

I just don't understand how these guys can swing at some of these pitches, I mean even if you make contact you're not doing shit with it. Plate discipline dammit.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-29-2013, 06:56 PM

Craig is completely lost at the plate. Goddamned doubleheader makes it impossible to sit him for a few days.

**BigRedChief** · 07-29-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Craig is significantly below average against the slider, period. Liriano has a great slider. Against him, Craig will likely never get a hit.

Bet he's going to see a bunch of sliders until he proves he's going to hit it solidly.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3259627 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: 78,918

07-29-2013, 05:58 PM	#3392
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8039572	Westbrook should have given up eight or nine runs by now. This is the worst location I've seen from a Cardinal starter all year. To call this BP is a disservice to the difficulty of hitting BP. __________________ "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: 74,815

07-29-2013, 06:10 PM	#3393
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8039572	Craig cannot hit a slider at all this year. __________________ "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: 74,815

07-29-2013, 06:23 PM	#3395
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3245085	Somebody let me know when the real team shows up again. I'm still getting regular blasts of shit from my wife the Braves fan over the sweep, and really don't need anymore pain from these idiots right now.
Posts: 119,477

07-29-2013, 06:27 PM	#3397
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $2024664	All of a sudden Liriano is ****ing Cy Young, ugh.
Posts: 16,529

07-29-2013, 06:33 PM	#3400
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8039572	I'm sick of this leaning in bullshit. The next time Walker comes up he's taking one square in the ****ing back. __________________ "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: 74,815

07-29-2013, 06:45 PM	#3403
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $2024664	I just don't understand how these guys can swing at some of these pitches, I mean even if you make contact you're not doing shit with it. Plate discipline dammit.
Posts: 16,529

07-29-2013, 06:56 PM	#3404
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8039572	Craig is completely lost at the plate. Goddamned doubleheader makes it impossible to sit him for a few days. __________________ "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: 74,815

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