Cardinals Nation: We are not done yet and it will go back to Busch!

[DigitalMania]

I am taking the Cards tonite, both clubs will be nervouse (houston becuz 1 win and thier dreams come true and 1 loss and they have to go back to ST LOUIS and face heartbreak again/ and St. louis becuz obviously if they lose its all over) but ST LOUIS will be more relaxed tonite knowing all they have to do is score SUM runs for Carpenter and they will most likely win and go back to St louis. Houston wants to win it sooooo bad for the homecrowd but i fear they will push and try too hard and Stl Louis walks away with it.

 

[maxdemo]

With all due respect the Astros Pitchers have dominated this series from Game #2..The Cardinals have only themselves to blame after batting only .193 and scoring just five runs in the last three games. They're 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position, with three sacrifice flies, in those three losses. While slugger Pujols is batting .429 (6-for-14) with three RBIs in the series, the rest of St. Louis' vaunted lineup has struggled. Walker is 2-for-12 (.167) in this series with one RBI, and Edmonds is 3-for-13 (.231) with no runs driven in. For only the fourth time in postseason history, a team lost in the ninth inning after putting the tying run on third base with none out. The Cardinals couldn't deliver the tying run in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Astros. The other teams to lose such games were the 1997 Orioles (ALCS Game 4), the 1996 Rangers (ALDS Game 3) and the 1909 Pirates (Game 6 of the World Series). The cards have now loats 7 straight road NLCS games breaking the mark held by the Astros...thanks Cards
The astros batters are not that much better ....the Astros are only 2-for-31 (.065) with runners in scoring position in the series. But they have more homers than the STL lineup and are out hitting them...

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD>STL</TD><TD> </TD><TD>HOU</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>.215</TD><TD>BA</TD><TD>.271</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>10</TD><TD>R</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>1</TD><TD>SB</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>2</TD><TD>HR</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>22</TD><TD>K</TD><TD>26</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>2.38</TD><TD>ERA</TD><TD>2.57</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Tony La Russa is not having a good series. He was dead wrong on the ball four call on Lance Berkman and looked like a desperate man while ranting and raving. La Russa has allowed the umpires to get into his head: He called out plate ump Wally Bell before Saturday's game in an ill-advised, clumsy intimidation attempt. La Russa was angling to prevent Bell from giving Roger Clemens the strike just off the plate during the game and, in doing so, needlessly antagonized both the umpires and Clemens. More and more, it looks like a big reason why La Russa's teams historically have underachieved in October is because the manager is wound way too tightly. More and more, it looks like Houston is going to step into the World Series for the first time.

 

[D2bets]

I don't think the Cards are going to score more than 3 runs off Pettite again and the bullpen has been strong. 4 runs, maybe less, quite possibly less will win this game for Houston. If STL gest its 3 then Houston needs just 2 to cash the RL. Houston +1.5 -140 or better is a great great play.

 

[Kojak]

Maxdemo,

Win Or Lose This Series, I Actually Respect You Very Much For Your Homer Astros Passion. I Will Be Rooting For You In Ws If You Get There. But They Won't Win Tonight And Will Have To Win It Stl And Let's See How That Goes. Bol

 

[maxdemo]

Maxdemo, But They Won't Win Tonight And Will Have To Win It Stl And Let's See How That Goes. Bol

Thats a strong statement for a team that has lost its last 7 on the road to this Houston Team. Never are any 4 sure winners in any game but I think this game is low scoring and a 1 run win either way....Go Astros!

 

[Kojak]

Max,

Your Stats Are Wrong. We Have Only Lost 2 In A Row On Road To Houston. These Last 2 Games. Cardinals Won Last Game In Houston And In Fact Took 2 Of 3. Bol

 

[D2bets]

Thats a strong statement for a team that has lost its last 7 on the road to this Houston Team. Never are any 4 sure winners in any game but I think this game is low scoring and a 1 run win either way....Go Astros!

I agree. It's going to be another tight tight game. I think that gives Houston a little edge with a better pen.

 

[Kojak]

I Predict It Won't Be A Tight Game Tonight. Rather Cards Win Big Or Astros Win Big. No In Between. Rather Cards Self Destruct Like Game 7 In 85 Or They Respond Like Atlanta Did In Game 5 In 96 Nlcs. Over Is Also The Play Tonight!

 

[maxdemo]

Max,
Your Stats Are Wrong. We Have Only Lost 2 In A Row On Road To Houston. These Last 2 Games. Cardinals Won Last Game In Houston And In Fact Took 2 Of 3. Bol

Sorry:toast: ....they have lost the last 5 NLDS games in Houston since last year and are 1-5 in the last 6 overall vs Houston (home or away).

 

[Highdaddy]

they might have a chance if you can find Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, Tommy Herr, John Tudor, and that big goofy looking guy who hit HR's and struckout all the time....who was that guy

 

[maxdemo]

Max,
Your Stats Are Wrong. We Have Only Lost 2 In A Row On Road To Houston. These Last 2 Games. Cardinals Won Last Game In Houston And In Fact Took 2 Of 3. Bol

I was right....STREAKS AND NOTES: Cardinals - A loss by St. Louis on Monday would mark the end of its time at Busch Stadium with the Cardinals set to open a new stadium next season. ... 3B Nunez did not play Sunday due to a deep thigh bruise suffered in a collision in Game 3. 3B Mabry received the start and went 0-for-4. ... St. Louis has dropped seven straight LCS road games dating to 2002. Astros - Houston has won seven straight home playoff games. ... RHP Lidge has saved all three wins in this series, allowing one run and four hits over four innings. ... SS Everett is hitting .333 (6-for-18) this season against RHP Carpenter.
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/preview/MLB_20051017_STL@HOU

 

[Kojak]

Max,

You Were Right About Losing 7 Straight Road Games But Not 7 Straight To Astros On The Road Like You Said. Bol

 

[Kojak]

Interesting line moves on tonights game and series price. On game, line opened at -135 Cards dropped into -120's and now is up to -140 in some places. For Series, price about an hour or so was +490 Cards now is down to +390-410 range. Lots of Cardinal money coming in. Very interesting!

 

[spreadbeater]

Kojak,

I honestly feel that if this series goes back to St. Louis, the Cards will win the series. I am just not too sure that they can get it back to St. Louis. Hopefully Carpenter continues his usual success against the Stros. Should be a great game tonight! Hope Cards can get it done

 

[Kojak]

spreadbeater,

As you know I am a homer for my Cards but people don't know the mental makeup of this team and especially after Game 4 . I have been reading all I can about tonight and everywhere I read from newspapers in Houston and St. Louis, to sports sites to even sports forums dedicated to Astros and Cards, people are acting like this is over but what I found to be interesting is Cards interview after yesterday games and some of the Stros comments. They have scraped out 2 wins by the skin of their teeth. I have been encourage with some signs from last game. This game will go one of two ways tonight with no in between. Rather Cards fold like Game 7 in 85 WS or Cards come out smoking like Braves in Game 5 in 96 Series vs Cards. This will not be a close game tonight. I am betting the latter and feel very confident. If this series goes back to STL, Cards fans will take over from there. Tonight though like Pujols when asked about being nervous and I quote "We will show you tomorrow". Well tomorrow is here and lets see them show us.

 

[D2bets]

Looks like the oddsmakers are anticipating that if STL wins tonight they'd be roughly -140 in Game 6 and -120 in Game 7. I guess it sets up as Mulder v. Oswalt then Morris v. Clemens.

 

[Kojak]

d2,

That is where I would put it and maybe a Pk in Game 7 or -110 with Clemens going but I would anticipate a jump in price due to homefield advantage for Cards of about 20-30 cents.

 

[D2bets]

spreadbeater,

As you know I am a homer for my Cards but people don't know the mental makeup of this team and especially after Game 4 . I have been reading all I can about tonight and everywhere I read from newspapers in Houston and St. Louis, to sports sites to even sports forums dedicated to Astros and Cards, people are acting like this is over but what I found to be interesting is Cards interview after yesterday games and some of the Stros comments. They have scraped out 2 wins by the skin of their teeth. I have been encourage with some signs from last game. This game will go one of two ways tonight with no in between. Rather Cards fold like Game 7 in 85 WS or Cards come out smoking like Braves in Game 5 in 96 Series vs Cards. This will not be a close game tonight. I am betting the latter and feel very confident. If this series goes back to STL, Cards fans will take over from there. Tonight though like Pujols when asked about being nervous and I quote "We will show you tomorrow". Well tomorrow is here and lets see them show us.

Well then go ahead and bet the -1.5RL both ways. Or the over I suppose if it's a blowout. Personally, I think both pitchers will have success as the offenses continue to play tight. I don't see either team scoring more than 4 runs in regulation. I think it'll be a 1 or 2 run game either way. Pettite wasn't quite right last time around, I think he was still feeling the effects from being sick. Very highly doubt he tosses two stinkers in a row. IMHO

 

[spreadbeater]

spreadbeater,

As you know I am a homer for my Cards but people don't know the mental makeup of this team and especially after Game 4 . I have been reading all I can about tonight and everywhere I read from newspapers in Houston and St. Louis, to sports sites to even sports forums dedicated to Astros and Cards, people are acting like this is over but what I found to be interesting is Cards interview after yesterday games and some of the Stros comments. They have scraped out 2 wins by the skin of their teeth. I have been encourage with some signs from last game. This game will go one of two ways tonight with no in between. Rather Cards fold like Game 7 in 85 WS or Cards come out smoking like Braves in Game 5 in 96 Series vs Cards. This will not be a close game tonight. I am betting the latter and feel very confident. If this series goes back to STL, Cards fans will take over from there. Tonight though like Pujols when asked about being nervous and I quote "We will show you tomorrow". Well tomorrow is here and lets see them show us.

Kojak,
I know how you feel as a dedicated fan to a team that is fighting for their playoff life. I think back to Pistons/Heat game 7 last season. All the talk leading up to the game really didnt mean much. It was what happened on the court and what the players did/didnt do to win the game. I still feel that sick feeling in my stomach from the game 7 loss to the Pistons. I hope for your sake, you do not have that feeling after tonights game. Go CARDS!!!!

 

[kidslick]

not a good start to this game

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" width="560"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="yspscores">- D. Eckstein hit by pitch </td></tr> <tr> <td class="yspscores">- J. Edmonds walked, D. Eckstein to second </td></tr> <tr> <td class="yspscores">- A. Pujols popped out to shallow left </td></tr> <tr> <td class="yspscores">- R. Sanders flied out to left center </td></tr> <tr> <td class="yspscores">- L. Walker grounded out to catcher </td></tr> <tr> <td class="yspscores">
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors </td></tr> <tr> <td class="yspdetailttl">St. Louis 0, Houston 0 </td></tr></tbody> </table>