It has been a few months since I posted but wanted to chime in on a post of mine before the season started. I had explained that I thought the Cardinals have gotten no positive pr while the Cubs and Astros were being given the division and wild card spots. I had said in the post about how the Cardinals felt they were disrespected, had something to prove, and were more hungry than they had been in a while. Boy have they proven me right. This team as Larry Brown, hc for the Pistons, had said during the playoffs about his team, plays the game the right way. This Cardinal team does just that. Their strength in all areas of the team from offense to defense to the bullpen to the starting pitching to most importantly the chemistry and comraderie is outstanding. Tony Larussa deserved manager of the year regardless as to what happens from here on in as he has done along with the best gm in baseball , Walt Jocketty, one hell of a job. I know that there are rumors about some possible trades (Randy Johnson, Kevin Millwood, Kris Benson, Steve Finley, etc.)possibly coming to St. Louis, but as a true Cards fan, I would like to see management let this team as is finish what they have started as all 24+ guys and the management have definitely earned it! And to the Cub fan that I bet a night of drinking on the town in Chi-town with if that the Cards would have more wins than the Cubs, best of luck after the all star break as these Cards are not going away!
As Fair just mentioned, it will be tough for that pitching staff to hold up. I'm surprised the Cardinals have done as well as they have with very mediocre starters and a gashouse bullpen. Of course, that starting lineup is outstanding. It takes a lot of pressure off a team when you score as many runs as the Cardinals do.
Fair Warning,
Everybody has been talking about their starting pitching since before the season started and it has held up. The fact that they have the one of the top bullpens overall in the league will allow them to survive. The fact that after the all star break, they only play the Cubs twice and the Astros 6 times they would have to collapse and I don't see it happening. I do think this teams staff may not match up well in the playoffs with some of the others most notably the Cubs, if they pull of the Randy Johnson deal who by the way has NEVER LOST to the Cubs, and bring Finley in to play left field, they would have filled to major holes. A lot of people don't think the Cards have the money to do this but they do. Dewitt had put the restriction on to start the season but has already been quoted as saying the Cards will be active if the right deal is there. He isn't talking about money but about chemistry. With Jocketty's track record in trades and free agent signings (McGwire for 3 minor leaguers, Edmonds for Bottenfeld, Womack for a minor leaguer, Woody Williams for Lankford, Renteria for Looper and two minor leaguers, Rolen for Polanco,Bud Smith, and a minor leaguer, King,Marquis, and Wainwright for Drew and Marrero, and Carpenter,Suppan,Sanders as free agent signings), I know they will get the job done and not pay a steep price. We will see in the 2nd half but after what has happened in the 1st half + LaRussa's 2nd half record with the Cards (over .600 winning percentage), I would think twice to doubt the end result!
Everybody has been talking about their starting pitching since before the season started and it has held up. The fact that they have the one of the top bullpens overall in the league will allow them to survive. The fact that after the all star break, they only play the Cubs twice and the Astros 6 times they would have to collapse and I don't see it happening. I do think this teams staff may not match up well in the playoffs with some of the others most notably the Cubs, if they pull of the Randy Johnson deal who by the way has NEVER LOST to the Cubs, and bring Finley in to play left field, they would have filled to major holes. A lot of people don't think the Cards have the money to do this but they do. Dewitt had put the restriction on to start the season but has already been quoted as saying the Cards will be active if the right deal is there. He isn't talking about money but about chemistry. With Jocketty's track record in trades and free agent signings (McGwire for 3 minor leaguers, Edmonds for Bottenfeld, Womack for a minor leaguer, Woody Williams for Lankford, Renteria for Looper and two minor leaguers, Rolen for Polanco,Bud Smith, and a minor leaguer, King,Marquis, and Wainwright for Drew and Marrero, and Carpenter,Suppan,Sanders as free agent signings), I know they will get the job done and not pay a steep price. We will see in the 2nd half but after what has happened in the 1st half + LaRussa's 2nd half record with the Cards (over .600 winning percentage), I would think twice to doubt the end result!
Soccer Bob,
Cardinals ERA Team- 3.8
Starters-4.2
Relievers-3.1
Cardinals offense- Best in National League
Cards era could go up a run in 2nd half and it wouldn't matter. If you watch the Cards, the offense has been their weakness during their 8 game winning streak. It has not been clicking like it was in April and May and they have gotten even further ahead. IMO if Cards can get through first 3 weeks after the break (at Cinci for 4, at Cubs for 2, home to Brewers for 2, home to Giants for 3, at Cinci for 3 and at Giants for 3) I don't think this team will be caught in the regular season!
Cardinals ERA Team- 3.8
Starters-4.2
Relievers-3.1
Cardinals offense- Best in National League
Cards era could go up a run in 2nd half and it wouldn't matter. If you watch the Cards, the offense has been their weakness during their 8 game winning streak. It has not been clicking like it was in April and May and they have gotten even further ahead. IMO if Cards can get through first 3 weeks after the break (at Cinci for 4, at Cubs for 2, home to Brewers for 2, home to Giants for 3, at Cinci for 3 and at Giants for 3) I don't think this team will be caught in the regular season!
Everyone keeps mentioning the Cards offense which I also believe is one of the best but in all reality, they have not played up to their ability which is another positive sign. The only Cardinal having a career year is Rolen who I expect to be hampered in 2nd half by a bad knee. Pujols has been good but not great, Renteria has just started hitting as he has been known for clutch hitting but for most of the 1st half had been hitting about .100 with runners in scoring position, Edmonds like Renteria has just started hitting, Womack has been consistent, Sanders has not hit for about 1.5 months now, and the rotation in left field and Matheny at catcher has been average to below average. I think this offense will only get better in 2nd half which should offset any pitching declines by the starters!
Shotgun,
If you read my post above, I don't disagree but I am one that feels the Cubs won't even make the post season. Like the Cards last year, injuries are the reason. I don't think Prior and Wood will pitch like themselves until next year due to their injuries. Baker's overuse of them at the end of the year last year and the playoffs ruined their hopes for this year. Clement is wearing down and I don't think Zambrano will keep it up in the 2nd half. I do believe Maddux will come on like he always does in the 2nd half. The Cubs bullpen is not as good as the Cards and if the Cubs can't score like they have shown this week (7 runs in last 6 games), the pitching will only go to waste. Best of luck to your Cubs in the 2nd half but I think it will only result in an early off season.
If you read my post above, I don't disagree but I am one that feels the Cubs won't even make the post season. Like the Cards last year, injuries are the reason. I don't think Prior and Wood will pitch like themselves until next year due to their injuries. Baker's overuse of them at the end of the year last year and the playoffs ruined their hopes for this year. Clement is wearing down and I don't think Zambrano will keep it up in the 2nd half. I do believe Maddux will come on like he always does in the 2nd half. The Cubs bullpen is not as good as the Cards and if the Cubs can't score like they have shown this week (7 runs in last 6 games), the pitching will only go to waste. Best of luck to your Cubs in the 2nd half but I think it will only result in an early off season.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wilheim:
At 22 games over the 500 mark (as we speak) the Cards need to only to play at that 500 mark the rest of the way to be a lock to win the division.
wil.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That's only 92 wins Wil...I'm guessing both the Cubs and Cardinals will clear that mark.
At 22 games over the 500 mark (as we speak) the Cards need to only to play at that 500 mark the rest of the way to be a lock to win the division.
wil.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That's only 92 wins Wil...I'm guessing both the Cubs and Cardinals will clear that mark.
shotgun,
Assuming the Cubs win tonight, Cubs would have to go 45-30 (.600) baseball. That again assumes that the Cardinals play .500 baseball. Cubs need to hope Cincinnati who still has 10 games at home over the next month or so helps them out. For the Cubs to beat Cards, I think it will take at least winning 100 games at this point which is going 53-22 in the 2nd half which is about .700 ball. Not likely. Wild card is their best chance barring a complete Cardinal melt down.
Assuming the Cubs win tonight, Cubs would have to go 45-30 (.600) baseball. That again assumes that the Cardinals play .500 baseball. Cubs need to hope Cincinnati who still has 10 games at home over the next month or so helps them out. For the Cubs to beat Cards, I think it will take at least winning 100 games at this point which is going 53-22 in the 2nd half which is about .700 ball. Not likely. Wild card is their best chance barring a complete Cardinal melt down.
Cards might have upper hane now but when October rolls around I'll take Cubs over Cards in playoffs.Who cares who wins division. As far as Wild card is concerned who is going to beat out the Cubs ? Mets, Braves, Florida.No way ? Prior,Wood, and Zambrano will be rested for the playoffs being out as much as they have.Remember Cubs came on in 2nd half themselves last year. Still team to beat in my estimation
redeye,
I don't disagree with your assessment of rotations geared towards playoffs favors Cubs; but stay tuned for end of July as I think Jocketty will pull a rabbit out of the hat and bring on a stopper like Johnson the Cub Killer. I have heard two rumors of late: Cardinals trading Morris,Gall,Thompson,and another minor leaguer for Randy Johnson and Steve Finley. The other trade rumor I have heard is Matt Morris and Steve Kline to Philadelphia for Millwood and Polanco. I don't like the latter but the trade with Arizona would bring some legitimacy to the Cards bid. With Johnson pitching 3 games in a seven game series vs Cubs, would definitely make it just a tad more interesting on paper. But we have to see what happens. Another rumor I have heard is Danny Haren to Pittsburgh for Kris Benson who wants to come to St. Louis. That is why we still have to play the second half but I like the Cards position and if they hold on to win the division and face Cubs in playoffs, that important Game 7 would be in St. Louis! Not exactly a place the Cubs play well at.
I don't disagree with your assessment of rotations geared towards playoffs favors Cubs; but stay tuned for end of July as I think Jocketty will pull a rabbit out of the hat and bring on a stopper like Johnson the Cub Killer. I have heard two rumors of late: Cardinals trading Morris,Gall,Thompson,and another minor leaguer for Randy Johnson and Steve Finley. The other trade rumor I have heard is Matt Morris and Steve Kline to Philadelphia for Millwood and Polanco. I don't like the latter but the trade with Arizona would bring some legitimacy to the Cards bid. With Johnson pitching 3 games in a seven game series vs Cubs, would definitely make it just a tad more interesting on paper. But we have to see what happens. Another rumor I have heard is Danny Haren to Pittsburgh for Kris Benson who wants to come to St. Louis. That is why we still have to play the second half but I like the Cards position and if they hold on to win the division and face Cubs in playoffs, that important Game 7 would be in St. Louis! Not exactly a place the Cubs play well at.
I would be more worried about Johnson if it was 5 or so years ago. Cub killer was more when the team was louzy, not now. Johnson isn't exactly what you would call a great Post season pitcher. 7-8 I believe. Cubs might make some moves of their own. Just look what they did right before the trading deadline last year. Third baseman,Lofton, relief pitching
