***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread ***

[BigRedChief]

St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM

St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited.

With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary.

Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat.
As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year.

That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run.
Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season.

Trevor Rosenthal
When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special.
Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run.

He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show.
In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs.
It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013.

Shelby Miller
The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show.
In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP.

Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that.
Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win.

Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013.

Joe Kelly
When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season.
Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates.

When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue.
In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen.
There's a good chance that could be his home in the future.

Mike Matheny
When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise.

He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes.
His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success.
True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager.

NLCS loss means more drive to win
While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player.
The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons.

What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner.

Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player.

The run was without several key components
In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season.
The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup.

The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint.

Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment.

They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan
Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were?

Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire.
Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team.
The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of.

No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape.
What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think.
After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months.

From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by whoman69

Some news on the injury front. Molina had to leave the game after tweeking his back to try to avoid being hit by a pitch. Jake Westbrook was shut down in a bullpen session after only 10 pitches. He complained of pain in his oblique that he injured on Sep. 8. He may be out the rest of the season. He was much less inconsistent this season.

Would you trust Westbrook with starting a playoff game?

[BigRedChief]

The Brewers have 10 games remaining in the 2012 season. The Cardinals have nine left. That means some rather unpleasant math for Milwaukee and good for us.

In order to tie for WC2, forcing a one-game playoff:
If the Cardinals go 0-9, the Brewers have to go 3-7.
If the Cardinals go 1-8, the Brewers have to go 4-6.
If the Cardinals go 2-7, the Brewers have to go 5-5.
If the Cardinals go 3-6, the Brewers have to go 6-4.
If the Cardinals go 4-5, the Brewers have to go 7-3.
If the Cardinals go 5-4, the Brewers have to go 8-2.
If the Cardinals go 6-3, the Brewers have to go 9-1.
If the Cardinals go 7-2, the Brewers have to go 10-0.
If the Cardinals go 8-1, the Brewers cannot catch them.
If the Cardinals go 9-0, the Brewers cannot catch them.


In order to pass the Cardinals, winning WC2 outright:
If the Cardinals go 0-9, the Brewers have to go 4-6.
If the Cardinals go 1-8, the Brewers have to go 5-5.
If the Cardinals go 2-7, the Brewers have to go 6-4.
If the Cardinals go 3-6, the Brewers have to go 7-3.
If the Cardinals go 4-5, the Brewers have to go 8-2.
If the Cardinals go 5-4, the Brewers have to go 9-1.
If the Cardinals go 6-3, the Brewers have to go 10-0.
If the Cardinals go 7-2, the Brewers cannot win outright.
If the Cardinals go 8-1, the Brewers cannot win outright.
If the Cardinals go 9-0, the Brewers cannot win outright.

The Cardinals’ remaining schedule: 3 at Houston, 3 vs Washington, 3 vs Cincinnati
The Brewers’ remaining schedule: 1 at Washington, 3 at Cincinnati, 3 vs Houston, 3 vs San Diego

[veist]

Well, one game closer with the Brewers losing today.

[Mi_chief_fan]

Gotta keep beating the 'stros like a rented mule. Close with 3 vs. Cin & 3 vs. Nats.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Gotta keep beating the 'stros like a rented mule. Close with 3 vs. Cin & 3 vs. Nats.

yep, if you want to make any noise in the playoffs, your going to need some good mojo.

[whoman69]

It hasn't always been pretty but the Cardinals are playing well right now and look to be a lock for the playoffs with their win over Houston. This team certainly hasn't played to their potential throughout most of the year. At one point they were 20-11 then lost eight of ten. June 21 they were at .500. By August 4 they were back to nine games over .500. They got up to 14 games over on Aug. 27 and proceeded to lose 13 of 18 games. Each time it looked like they were making strides, they'd go back into the hole. Let's hope with the hot hitting of Jay and Craig that they can keep it together this time. The magic number is 6. Cardinals have 8 games left, Brewers and Dodgers have 9. I'd like to see the Pirates get to .500 or better, but it doesn't look like that will happen.

[Swanman]

I want to throw some love out there for Edward Mujica. He has only given up one run in 20 appearances as a Cardinal, with a 0.74 ERA.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Cool, now cut that piece of crap Salas

[whoman69]

I'm hoping some of the September callups replace our less effective bullpen help.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by PGM

Cool, now cut that piece of crap Salas

Hopefully with a samurai sword.

BTW, anybody heard anything about Freese's latest ankle injury?

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Would you trust Westbrook with starting a playoff game?

No, but I would want him in long relief in case we have an issue. You're probably looking at Lohse, Wainwright, Carpenter and Garcia as your starters. With injury issues a concern for Carp and Garcia, you have to have a backup plan. I think we're probably going to have to burn the pen like we did last year in the playoffs. Lynn can't be your only long option.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by frazod

Hopefully with a samurai sword.

BTW, anybody heard anything about Freese's latest ankle injury?

Crap, there are people out there that dislike him more

[seclark]

Originally Posted by frazod

Hopefully with a samurai sword.

BTW, anybody heard anything about Freese's latest ankle injury?

http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/new...k_stl&c_id=stl

Freese described the pain as "bad enough to get it checked out," which he did during Monday's game. X-rays came back negative, and the Cardinals are encouraged that it is not a high ankle sprain.

"A couple days, a few days, I don't know," Freese said when asked to project a timetable. "We'll see how it feels tomorrow. But I rolled it pretty good."

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by PGM

Crap, there are people out there that dislike him more

You didn't sit through three hours of rain on Friday at Wrigley Field to watch that ****ing turd piss the game away with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the bottom of the 9th.

I was about 20 feet away from the sonofabitch while he was warming up, too. I should have grabbed an umbrella and poked him in the eye with it.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by frazod

You didn't sit through three hours of rain on Friday at Wrigley Field to watch that ****ing turd piss the game away with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the bottom of the 9th.

I was about 20 feet away from the sonofabitch while he was warming up, too. I should have grabbed an umbrella and poked him in the eye with it.

You should have took one for the team.