***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

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

@Cardinals: End of first inning: Chris Carpenter strikes out two, allows a broken bat single to left. Pitches 13, Strikes 10.

@ejbelt1: “@Cardinals: Chris Carpenter strikes out first batter on three pitches. Fastball up to 94 MPH.” Awesome news!

If anyone can come back based on willpower and guts........Carp can.

[Mi_chief_fan]

Not a bad 1st outing for Carp! #babysteps -Teryn “@Cardinals: Chris Carpenter - 2.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (54 pitches/38 strikes).”

[O.city]

Cardinal Red and White, on Fox HD, at night, is so glorious.


I havent watched the whole game (went and watched Pacific Rim with the Pregnant wife, last outing before the baby, movie is awesome, go see it), saw Craig bat in the last inning, what else have I missed?

[O.city]

So, I was thinking about how the hell we are going to get a SS this year. I started looking around the league, while there isn't really shit out there for cheap, but I did notice how far back the Jays are and that brought me back to thinking about Reyes.

I know some guys weren't/aren't high on him, he's injured alot etc, but I think/thought he really fit in well with this bunch from a philosophical standpoint as well as in the clubhouse.

So, I dug a bit deeper. While I do really like Reyes, his contract is just, well, bad. I don't see that as an option.

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by O.city

So, I was thinking about how the hell we are going to get a SS this year. I started looking around the league, while there isn't really shit out there for cheap, but I did notice how far back the Jays are and that brought me back to thinking about Reyes.

I know some guys weren't/aren't high on him, he's injured alot etc, but I think/thought he really fit in well with this bunch from a philosophical standpoint as well as in the clubhouse.

So, I dug a bit deeper. While I do really like Reyes, his contract is just, well, bad. I don't see that as an option.

Blue Jays can still easily make the playoffs.

[O.city]

I just don't see it.


There are too many teams ahead of them in the East. The Orioles, Rays, Red Sox, A's, Rangers, and potentially Yankees are all fighting for 4 spots. I don't think the Jays can jump them.

[O.city]

Also, if I'm looking at this right, we have 42 mil coming off the books next year with 4 guys.

Carp
Beltran
Furcal
Westbrook

So there is some money there.

[Pepe Silvia]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Blue Jays can still easily make the playoffs.

No way. The rest of the AL East alone will prevent that from happening. The Red Sox, Rays, and Orioles are all better than the Jays, their line up is as good as any in their division but the Jays don't have the starting pitching to contend with them in the dog days of August and September, not to mention the A.L West teams like the A's and Rangers that O'City just mentioned. Won't happen.

[O.city]

I'd be looking to make a deal with Wong, Jenkins and potentially Wacha right now.


I think Beltran walks after the year, or gets a cheapish deal. I'd prefer to let him walk and just park Craig in left and let Tavares play CF.

Or keep Beltran and just go with Holliday, Jay/Taveras, Craig/Beltran as my 5 OF's.

[LiL stumppy]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'd be looking to make a deal with Wong, Jenkins and potentially Wacha right now.


I think Beltran walks after the year, or gets a cheapish deal. I'd prefer to let him walk and just park Craig in left and let Tavares play CF.

Or keep Beltran and just go with Holliday, Jay/Taveras, Craig/Beltran as my 5 OF's.

How can you rotate those 5 OF's??? Too much Talent, you let Beltran walk.

[Mi_chief_fan]

Beltran has to walk: Taveras is ready, and he'll get you a first round pick. Also, I'm not opposed to trading Wong, but I'd hate to part with Wacha, and last I heard, Jenkins was on the DL.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by O.city

Also, if I'm looking at this right, we have 42 mil coming off the books next year with 4 guys.

Carp
Beltran
Furcal
Westbrook

So there is some money there.

I imagine if Carp can make the comeback this year he might just call it quits. I would be up for resigning Beltran the way he his playing. Furcal is a no-brainer since he can't even get on the field. Westbrook is way too inconsistent to sign again, plus it leaves no room for us to get our big arms up from the minors.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Beltran has to walk: Taveras is ready, and he'll get you a first round pick. Also, I'm not opposed to trading Wong, but I'd hate to part with Wacha, and last I heard, Jenkins was on the DL.

I'd rather part with Jay. Sure he's great in the field, but he's a liability at the plate.

[Mi_chief_fan]

Originally Posted by whoman69

I'd rather part with Jay. Sure he's great in the field, but he's a liability at the plate.

Well, I don't completely disagree, but I've seen conflicting reports as to whether Oscar can play cf. if he can, then I like your scenario better.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by whoman69

I'd rather part with Jay. Sure he's great in the field, but he's a liability at the plate.

I think Hamas posted some stats that proved Jay is not that great in the field.