The Cards played today like their old 04 to 05 form and looked unbeatable! I have often been critical of Tony Larussa for his questionable managing during the playoffs but he sure is pushing the right buttons right now. Holding back Carpenter, letting Eckstein and Edmonds get as healthy as possible, making Wainwright the closer, etc. I know it is only one game but I am 100% certain, this series never makes it back to San Diego! Throw in Cards complete dominance of the Dodgers for several years and Mets sudden major issues with starting pitching, Cards sure do look like the favorites to go to the World Series instead of the longshot. Only time will tell but like I mentioned in a different thread, by not having the best record and being the underdog, has taken the pressure and expectations off of this team. As a result, they seem to be very loose. They are as healthy in the everyday lineup as they have been in several months as well. If someone other than Carpenter can step up in the playoffs (I predict Jeff Weaver to be that man), we may just get it done! I don't know which offshore has best price on Cards to win WS right now but if anyone can share along with winning NL Pennant it would be appreciated.
Props to you on the win. Was at the game and it made me sick. Was it not as predictable as anything you've ever seen that Pujols would make Pads pay for Piazza's dropped foul. That changed the whole game, as did Belliard's diving stop (what a play!). Can't believe Bellhorn is on the post-season roster. What a joke! Boomer needs to come up huge in game 2. With Carpenter going in Game 4, Pads need the next two. We would have a huge advantage if it goes 5, but I can see this ending in 4.
whormoan,
I am sorry for your loss today as I know you told me you were an avid Pads fan. I have tickets for Game 4 in STL. Just got them today as I feel that will be the big deciding game either way. I like Pads chances on Thursday with Wells pitching. He is like 4-1 with under 3 era vs Cards lifetime. Throw that in with Cards inability to win vs lh pitchers this year gives Pads great chance to even series. I like Suppan and his big game post season experience in Game 3 vs Young who Cards saw lw. Game 4 starters up in the air but I fully anticipate seeing Carpenter pitch that game regardless of where series stands. Especially if Cards are behind but I think if Cards can clinch in STL, Carp will go on 4 days rest on Sunday. That is why I feel Tony split up Suppan and Carp is he planned on clinching in 4 so Suppan can open up NLCS and Carp being able to pitch Game 6 or 7 if necessary. I think if Pads were going to win this series, today was a must. I give Pads less than 25% chance of winning this series now and actually feel 100% confident that we win this series.
I am sorry for your loss today as I know you told me you were an avid Pads fan. I have tickets for Game 4 in STL. Just got them today as I feel that will be the big deciding game either way. I like Pads chances on Thursday with Wells pitching. He is like 4-1 with under 3 era vs Cards lifetime. Throw that in with Cards inability to win vs lh pitchers this year gives Pads great chance to even series. I like Suppan and his big game post season experience in Game 3 vs Young who Cards saw lw. Game 4 starters up in the air but I fully anticipate seeing Carpenter pitch that game regardless of where series stands. Especially if Cards are behind but I think if Cards can clinch in STL, Carp will go on 4 days rest on Sunday. That is why I feel Tony split up Suppan and Carp is he planned on clinching in 4 so Suppan can open up NLCS and Carp being able to pitch Game 6 or 7 if necessary. I think if Pads were going to win this series, today was a must. I give Pads less than 25% chance of winning this series now and actually feel 100% confident that we win this series.
Bochy decided to hold off with Young (even though it's his turn), because he hasn't lost a road start in forever. Wells' only good game was the playoff clincher on Sat.
Jake Peavy is really getting on a lot of nerves down here. He is the annointed ace of the staff, he wants to be an ace, they pay him like an ace, and he just plain ISN"T. Young, Williams, and Hensley all, had better years than Peavy. Today was actually quite predictable. Peavy gets so amped up in big games, he loses focus. I am not as confident as you that we win game 2. I know one thing, we need to score first and take some pressure off. It's uncanny how much better we hit on the road. I guarantee you we will hit Carpenter better in St. Louis (just like last week). Suppan doesn't scare me either. I think we can get a split in St Louis. The ? is whether a split ends the series or sends it back here for a game 5.
Jake Peavy is really getting on a lot of nerves down here. He is the annointed ace of the staff, he wants to be an ace, they pay him like an ace, and he just plain ISN"T. Young, Williams, and Hensley all, had better years than Peavy. Today was actually quite predictable. Peavy gets so amped up in big games, he loses focus. I am not as confident as you that we win game 2. I know one thing, we need to score first and take some pressure off. It's uncanny how much better we hit on the road. I guarantee you we will hit Carpenter better in St. Louis (just like last week). Suppan doesn't scare me either. I think we can get a split in St Louis. The ? is whether a split ends the series or sends it back here for a game 5.
I think Bochy pitching Young in Game 3 is a mistake. He may be great on the road but pitching a big playoff game in STL is another thing entirely. He should have pitched him at Game 2 in front of friendly fans of Petco. Like I said earlier, Wells should get it done in Game 2 but if he doesn't, game set match. Cards sweep!
