Another question, when did Adam Everett suddenly become impossible to get out? He has five hits in the first two games and I don't think that any of the balls have been hit hard. Looks like he has replaced Craig Biggio as that pesky Astro. Seriously though, ducksnorts aside he looks like he is ready to take over the shortstop position offensively, and he is way better than Julio Lugo was defensively so the waiving of Lugo for his woman troubles ends up being a positive for the 'Stros
Un-frickin believable. Bases loaded and Bagwell is up, and he is due, so due. Wait, bouncer to Vina, STEPS ON SECOND, THROWS TO FIRST, DOUBLE PLAY, BALLGAME!!! Big win, after I calm down I'll talk about it.
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
CAN I ASK A QUESTION?
Why is Tony so in love with Jeff Fassero? What is his ERA right now? Why not just let Crudale stay in and finish the inning? Better yet, if there is ever a time to scrap the idea of the traditional "closer" role, it would have been this inning. Eighth inning, Bagwell, Kent, Berkman due up, three-run ballgame. That's sounds like the time you need your best reliever in there, which is theoretically Cal Eldred right now. I have no problem with Crudale being in there, but I simply don't feel that we have the dominant lefty that merits turning Berkman around. Okay, he struck him out, and here comes Eldred, so the move pays off, but I stand by my opinion of it. Berkman roped the ball right at the right fielder the last time they faced each other and he almost coaxed a walk this time (though ball 3 should have been strike 3) which would have brought Hidalgo to the plate as the tying run.
Why is Tony so in love with Jeff Fassero? What is his ERA right now? Why not just let Crudale stay in and finish the inning? Better yet, if there is ever a time to scrap the idea of the traditional "closer" role, it would have been this inning. Eighth inning, Bagwell, Kent, Berkman due up, three-run ballgame. That's sounds like the time you need your best reliever in there, which is theoretically Cal Eldred right now. I have no problem with Crudale being in there, but I simply don't feel that we have the dominant lefty that merits turning Berkman around. Okay, he struck him out, and here comes Eldred, so the move pays off, but I stand by my opinion of it. Berkman roped the ball right at the right fielder the last time they faced each other and he almost coaxed a walk this time (though ball 3 should have been strike 3) which would have brought Hidalgo to the plate as the tying run.
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
GOIN' TO THE JUICEBOX
As the Cards head into Houston for a three-game set with the Astros, a couple randoms in my head...
I look at the Birdhouse, the large site wherein my work is featured, (the site that perhaps is the only reason people read my blather), on a daily basis. Also daily, I read my the blogs of my fellow Birdhouse contributors, Josh Schulz and the Brothers Gunn. Both of their blogs have some great things to comment on righ now. First of all, Josh highlighted a piece running on ESPN.com about the Cardinals hitting approach. The piece was written by Phil Rogers, and let's just say I'm not a fan of his work. It talks about the Cards being aggressive and not worrying about walks. It's disappointing to read, because although we are leading the league in most offensive categories with the approach we have at the plate, I wonder how much better things could be if Mitchell Page didn't condmen strikeouts so much. Sure, the Cards are hitting the ball well. But they've also been inconsistent at the plate. Several games the offense has floundered, and that has been made up for on the whole by some offensive outbursts in other games. Specifically, I wonder if the team has failed so much in clutch situations because they've gone after pitches made by pitchers being careful (due to other runners on base) instead of taking a pitch. However, I feel that part of the problem is simply that we have too many impatient hitters on the team. Vina, Robinson, Cairo, Marrero, Matheny and to an extent Martinez have never been patient hitters. With the return of Drew to more and more duty, and if TLR ever gets smart and decides to play Orlando Palmeiro more, the number of walks should go up.
The trend is a bit disturbing to me because I simply don't feel there's any substitute for on base percentage. However, I don't feel that it will become a big problem for a couple reasons. First, though I also think that it's stupid to worry about strikeouts (unless you're striking out like the Brewers were a couple years ago) the fact that the Cards don't strike out does at least help offset the fact that they don't walk that much. Secondly, this is a fastball league, and the A's philosophy would not work as well in the NL, I am convinced of that. However, if the Cards could take more walks, their offense could really explode. The ones that need to focus on drawing more walks are the ones who are not the best hitters in the lineup, a point that Josh made in his post.
Meanwhile, at the Redbird Nation, the discussion is about Joe Girardi going on a rehab assignment. This news was met with the standard amount of dismay. Although, until Marrero is back, Widger is probably no better than Girardi. Ray is still stroking his Pat Borders Bobblehead. The good news on the injury front is that the news on Izzy is optimistic. Hell, if renowned injury pessimist LaRussa thinks that Izzy can be back for the start of inter-league play (June 3) maybe he really will be. And Lance Painter may be making a return in a couple weeks too. These two guys coming back would squeeze out a reliever and hopefully also send K-Rob-the-instant-out-just-add-one-pitch back to the minors.
As the Cards head into Houston for a three-game set with the Astros, a couple randoms in my head...
I look at the Birdhouse, the large site wherein my work is featured, (the site that perhaps is the only reason people read my blather), on a daily basis. Also daily, I read my the blogs of my fellow Birdhouse contributors, Josh Schulz and the Brothers Gunn. Both of their blogs have some great things to comment on righ now. First of all, Josh highlighted a piece running on ESPN.com about the Cardinals hitting approach. The piece was written by Phil Rogers, and let's just say I'm not a fan of his work. It talks about the Cards being aggressive and not worrying about walks. It's disappointing to read, because although we are leading the league in most offensive categories with the approach we have at the plate, I wonder how much better things could be if Mitchell Page didn't condmen strikeouts so much. Sure, the Cards are hitting the ball well. But they've also been inconsistent at the plate. Several games the offense has floundered, and that has been made up for on the whole by some offensive outbursts in other games. Specifically, I wonder if the team has failed so much in clutch situations because they've gone after pitches made by pitchers being careful (due to other runners on base) instead of taking a pitch. However, I feel that part of the problem is simply that we have too many impatient hitters on the team. Vina, Robinson, Cairo, Marrero, Matheny and to an extent Martinez have never been patient hitters. With the return of Drew to more and more duty, and if TLR ever gets smart and decides to play Orlando Palmeiro more, the number of walks should go up.
The trend is a bit disturbing to me because I simply don't feel there's any substitute for on base percentage. However, I don't feel that it will become a big problem for a couple reasons. First, though I also think that it's stupid to worry about strikeouts (unless you're striking out like the Brewers were a couple years ago) the fact that the Cards don't strike out does at least help offset the fact that they don't walk that much. Secondly, this is a fastball league, and the A's philosophy would not work as well in the NL, I am convinced of that. However, if the Cards could take more walks, their offense could really explode. The ones that need to focus on drawing more walks are the ones who are not the best hitters in the lineup, a point that Josh made in his post.
Meanwhile, at the Redbird Nation, the discussion is about Joe Girardi going on a rehab assignment. This news was met with the standard amount of dismay. Although, until Marrero is back, Widger is probably no better than Girardi. Ray is still stroking his Pat Borders Bobblehead. The good news on the injury front is that the news on Izzy is optimistic. Hell, if renowned injury pessimist LaRussa thinks that Izzy can be back for the start of inter-league play (June 3) maybe he really will be. And Lance Painter may be making a return in a couple weeks too. These two guys coming back would squeeze out a reliever and hopefully also send K-Rob-the-instant-out-just-add-one-pitch back to the minors.
Monday, May 19, 2003
SERIES IN REVIEW
Well, the heroes in red took three of four from the Scrubs, moving them back to within 2 games of first place. It's always good to beat the Cubbies, especially if you live in my neck of the woods, where the population is almost split right down the middle Cards and Cubs fans. One of the best things about being in New Orleans for this internship is that I haven't had to listen to any of my moron Cub fan friends rattle on about how this is the year. Those fools have been saying that since we were little kids, and all I've ever seen is a grounder going thru Leon Durham's legs, Greg Maddux going to the Braves, and Sammy Sosa being all that cub fans care about when they go to the game. (Other than drinking).
Some series thoughts....
Could this be a turning point for the bullpen? Granted they didn't actually pitch that much in the series, but it appears that everyone has a role now. Eldred is now the interim closer. Fassero will also be used late in ballgames and Kline, Hermanson and Crudale will be setting them up, with Calero now back in the longer relief role. I wouldn't consider any of these changes to be hard and fast and I still don't really like Fassero with the ball late in games, but at least he's not afraid. I think Kline is coming around too, at least he's not pouting. Hermy is showing that if nothing else, he has the mettle to pitch in pressure situations, and Crudale still hasn't allowed a run since his recall. Then there's Eldred, whose season so far has been thoroughly quirky for any number of reasons. But he's doing what we need him to do and I actually have a good vibe for a change going into the next series.
Vina had a nice little thing going, even DRAWING A WALK yesterday before going 0-4 today and royally pissing me off when he grounded out on a crap pitch to open an inning. The thing that gets me is, how does a guy that is so willing to get plunked in order to get on base, not have the ability to take a walk? Vina is always among the league leaders in HBP, but yet he can't walk. Why? Obviously he realizes the importance of doing whatever it takes to get on base. But he just can't seem to translate it into seeing more pitches. The Cards really need him to be big with the bat if they are going to win the division. Also, a side note, the stathead community's presence continues to be felt more and more. There are more news pieces and what not that give attention to Vina's inability to walk than ever before. Proof that the magical On Base Percentage is further into the baseball public's stream of consciousness.
The Cubs are going to need to make a move to get more offense because they don't have enough to win the division right now. Obviously, getting Sammy back will help. But when he's batting behind Mark Grudzielanek, who will surely start cooling off soon, and Alex Gonzalez, a lower batting average/more power version of Vina, he 's not going to get the RBI chances very often. Still no word on when he's going to be able to come back. He's eligible to come off the DL next Sunday, and the Cubs need him back right away.
The Cards still have some question marks on offense. Maybe heading to his personal playground in Houston will snap Edmonds out of his funk. Luckily, Rolen has picked up the slack for him over the last two weeks. And Tino continues just to be a burden to the team's ability to score runs. I don't really know what else to say. 2 homers and 10 RBI pretty much speak for themselves. I'd be much happier with Eduardo Perez in there every other day right now.
The Cards will go into the series against Houston a half game behind the 'Stros. They'll play three this week and four next week back at Busch, with the series opener coming on Memorial Day. Something to note, Roy Oswalt will not be available for either of these series as he is on the DL and not eligible to come off until the day after the second series ends. Pete Munro will start in is place on Wednesday night at Minute Maid against Woody Williams. Tomorrow night it will be Garrett Stephenson against a gimpy Wade Miller, whom the Cards have not faced yet this year. Miller has struggled through the first quarter of 2003. But Stephenson's pitching style in Minute Maid Park makes me slightly queasy. If the Birds win tomorrow, I will be very excited, let me put it that way. The Wednesday matchup favors the Cards, as does Thursday, which will be Brett Tomko against I believe Jeriome Robertson.
One other note, obscured in Dan Haren's tough first outing at Memphis was the fact that Jimmy Journell pitched two scoreless innings out of the pen, as he continues to (re) adjust to the role. Journell is someone we could conceivably see in the Cards pen at a later point this year.
Injury-wise, the reports I have heard have been conflicting about Chris Carpenter. The Post-Dispatch has said that Carpenter will return in June, while the Birdhouse says that Carpenter will be out through August. I am thinking that that might just be an old injury status report that hasn't been updated, as Carpenter was at one time thought to need to be out much longer. If Carpenter does return in June, he'll be a candidate to replace Jason Simontacchi in the rotation. Lance Painter will hopefully try to make a return some time after the all-star break. And I don't think anyone really cares when Russ Springer returns, if he ever does. Sorry to be heartless, but it's the plain ol' truth.
Well, the heroes in red took three of four from the Scrubs, moving them back to within 2 games of first place. It's always good to beat the Cubbies, especially if you live in my neck of the woods, where the population is almost split right down the middle Cards and Cubs fans. One of the best things about being in New Orleans for this internship is that I haven't had to listen to any of my moron Cub fan friends rattle on about how this is the year. Those fools have been saying that since we were little kids, and all I've ever seen is a grounder going thru Leon Durham's legs, Greg Maddux going to the Braves, and Sammy Sosa being all that cub fans care about when they go to the game. (Other than drinking).
Some series thoughts....
Could this be a turning point for the bullpen? Granted they didn't actually pitch that much in the series, but it appears that everyone has a role now. Eldred is now the interim closer. Fassero will also be used late in ballgames and Kline, Hermanson and Crudale will be setting them up, with Calero now back in the longer relief role. I wouldn't consider any of these changes to be hard and fast and I still don't really like Fassero with the ball late in games, but at least he's not afraid. I think Kline is coming around too, at least he's not pouting. Hermy is showing that if nothing else, he has the mettle to pitch in pressure situations, and Crudale still hasn't allowed a run since his recall. Then there's Eldred, whose season so far has been thoroughly quirky for any number of reasons. But he's doing what we need him to do and I actually have a good vibe for a change going into the next series.
Vina had a nice little thing going, even DRAWING A WALK yesterday before going 0-4 today and royally pissing me off when he grounded out on a crap pitch to open an inning. The thing that gets me is, how does a guy that is so willing to get plunked in order to get on base, not have the ability to take a walk? Vina is always among the league leaders in HBP, but yet he can't walk. Why? Obviously he realizes the importance of doing whatever it takes to get on base. But he just can't seem to translate it into seeing more pitches. The Cards really need him to be big with the bat if they are going to win the division. Also, a side note, the stathead community's presence continues to be felt more and more. There are more news pieces and what not that give attention to Vina's inability to walk than ever before. Proof that the magical On Base Percentage is further into the baseball public's stream of consciousness.
The Cubs are going to need to make a move to get more offense because they don't have enough to win the division right now. Obviously, getting Sammy back will help. But when he's batting behind Mark Grudzielanek, who will surely start cooling off soon, and Alex Gonzalez, a lower batting average/more power version of Vina, he 's not going to get the RBI chances very often. Still no word on when he's going to be able to come back. He's eligible to come off the DL next Sunday, and the Cubs need him back right away.
The Cards still have some question marks on offense. Maybe heading to his personal playground in Houston will snap Edmonds out of his funk. Luckily, Rolen has picked up the slack for him over the last two weeks. And Tino continues just to be a burden to the team's ability to score runs. I don't really know what else to say. 2 homers and 10 RBI pretty much speak for themselves. I'd be much happier with Eduardo Perez in there every other day right now.
The Cards will go into the series against Houston a half game behind the 'Stros. They'll play three this week and four next week back at Busch, with the series opener coming on Memorial Day. Something to note, Roy Oswalt will not be available for either of these series as he is on the DL and not eligible to come off until the day after the second series ends. Pete Munro will start in is place on Wednesday night at Minute Maid against Woody Williams. Tomorrow night it will be Garrett Stephenson against a gimpy Wade Miller, whom the Cards have not faced yet this year. Miller has struggled through the first quarter of 2003. But Stephenson's pitching style in Minute Maid Park makes me slightly queasy. If the Birds win tomorrow, I will be very excited, let me put it that way. The Wednesday matchup favors the Cards, as does Thursday, which will be Brett Tomko against I believe Jeriome Robertson.
One other note, obscured in Dan Haren's tough first outing at Memphis was the fact that Jimmy Journell pitched two scoreless innings out of the pen, as he continues to (re) adjust to the role. Journell is someone we could conceivably see in the Cards pen at a later point this year.
Injury-wise, the reports I have heard have been conflicting about Chris Carpenter. The Post-Dispatch has said that Carpenter will return in June, while the Birdhouse says that Carpenter will be out through August. I am thinking that that might just be an old injury status report that hasn't been updated, as Carpenter was at one time thought to need to be out much longer. If Carpenter does return in June, he'll be a candidate to replace Jason Simontacchi in the rotation. Lance Painter will hopefully try to make a return some time after the all-star break. And I don't think anyone really cares when Russ Springer returns, if he ever does. Sorry to be heartless, but it's the plain ol' truth.
BOTTOM 8TH
Farnsworth relieves for the Cubs and is met by some YARD work from Mr. Pujols. Albert is good. Edmonds even gets a hit. Rolen gets called out on a close pitch on the outside corner and Renteria hits into a DP. Nice to have the insurance run. Cards 2, Cubs 0. Here comes Matty Mo to the hill to pitch the ninth.
Farnsworth relieves for the Cubs and is met by some YARD work from Mr. Pujols. Albert is good. Edmonds even gets a hit. Rolen gets called out on a close pitch on the outside corner and Renteria hits into a DP. Nice to have the insurance run. Cards 2, Cubs 0. Here comes Matty Mo to the hill to pitch the ninth.
TOP 8TH
Harris makes an out on the first pitch. Wouldn't these guys at least try to make it a lengthy at-bat? Bako flies out. Pinch Hitter for Zambrano. Glad he's out. It's the ever-dangerous Tom Goodwin :) He flies out and Morris is three outs away from a complete game shutout with the top of the order due up. And I have to go to the bathroom again. There's no discussion. He's staying in. Now let's get some more tallies. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
Harris makes an out on the first pitch. Wouldn't these guys at least try to make it a lengthy at-bat? Bako flies out. Pinch Hitter for Zambrano. Glad he's out. It's the ever-dangerous Tom Goodwin :) He flies out and Morris is three outs away from a complete game shutout with the top of the order due up. And I have to go to the bathroom again. There's no discussion. He's staying in. Now let's get some more tallies. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
BOTTOM 7TH
Well this time they were able to make the play on the sacrifice. Matheny walked (On base all three times) and Morris bunted him over. This time, Fernando managed to wait until the third pitch before he hacked. He grounded out and moved Matheny to third. Zambrano got away with a 2-0 fastball to Drew, as he couldn't catch up to it and flied out weakly to 7th. That's been a good adjective for the Cards offense today. Weak. Give credit to Zambrano. Too bad he's not really going to turn 22 in a couple of weeks. That'd really be something. Still, though, he's probably going to be no older than 24 and he's got some good stuff. This is the first time he's really shut down the Cards. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
Well this time they were able to make the play on the sacrifice. Matheny walked (On base all three times) and Morris bunted him over. This time, Fernando managed to wait until the third pitch before he hacked. He grounded out and moved Matheny to third. Zambrano got away with a 2-0 fastball to Drew, as he couldn't catch up to it and flied out weakly to 7th. That's been a good adjective for the Cards offense today. Weak. Give credit to Zambrano. Too bad he's not really going to turn 22 in a couple of weeks. That'd really be something. Still, though, he's probably going to be no older than 24 and he's got some good stuff. This is the first time he's really shut down the Cards. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
TOP 7TH
Luckily for the anemic Cards bats, the Cubs aren't doing anything either. Mo gets two outs on two pitches and then Choi gives him a battle before falling victim to the Bender yet again. 7 scoreless innings on 90 pitches and the bottom of the order due up in the 8th. This could set up an interesting decision for TLR in the ninth. This game is absolutely flying by. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
Luckily for the anemic Cards bats, the Cubs aren't doing anything either. Mo gets two outs on two pitches and then Choi gives him a battle before falling victim to the Bender yet again. 7 scoreless innings on 90 pitches and the bottom of the order due up in the 8th. This could set up an interesting decision for TLR in the ninth. This game is absolutely flying by. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
TOP 6TH
Another double, this time by Grudzielanek with one out. Gonzalez moves him to third with a groundout. Then, Matt does something not too bright and gives Patterson, a first-pitch swinger, way too good of a pitch to hit with his first offering. Patterson skies it and Drew makes a catch in front of the wall. The last couple innings have pushed the pitch count up a little bit, but he's still only at 79 thru 6 innings. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
Another double, this time by Grudzielanek with one out. Gonzalez moves him to third with a groundout. Then, Matt does something not too bright and gives Patterson, a first-pitch swinger, way too good of a pitch to hit with his first offering. Patterson skies it and Drew makes a catch in front of the wall. The last couple innings have pushed the pitch count up a little bit, but he's still only at 79 thru 6 innings. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
BOTTOM 5TH
Man, I have had it with Vina. He goes after the first pitch, a pitch that wasn't that good, and grounds out. Zambrano then strikes out Drew and Pujols. There was just an article in the Post-Dispatch where Vina's saying he needs to take more pitches, but one can easily see what he thinks about it. He's going to go up there and hack. He thinks that a single is somehow greater than a walk. I'll discuss this more later. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
Man, I have had it with Vina. He goes after the first pitch, a pitch that wasn't that good, and grounds out. Zambrano then strikes out Drew and Pujols. There was just an article in the Post-Dispatch where Vina's saying he needs to take more pitches, but one can easily see what he thinks about it. He's going to go up there and hack. He thinks that a single is somehow greater than a walk. I'll discuss this more later. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
TOP 5TH
He doesn't. He allows a 2-out double to Lenny Harris on one of the few mistake pitches he's made all day and then he is careful with Bako, getting him to ground out to end the inning. Also included in the inning is another K of Hee Seop Choi, who Cards pitchers have handled in this series. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
He doesn't. He allows a 2-out double to Lenny Harris on one of the few mistake pitches he's made all day and then he is careful with Bako, getting him to ground out to end the inning. Also included in the inning is another K of Hee Seop Choi, who Cards pitchers have handled in this series. Cards 1, Cubs 0.
BOTTOM 4TH
Okay, I'm an idiot. Drew walked in the third, so the run is clearly unearned. Edmonds average is now under .300. Following singles by Rolen and Renteria, Tino moves them over to second and third with a groundout. Intentional walk to Matheny. Goes to 2-0 on Morris and then gets a borderline strike. Damn, that would've made it 3-0. Instead, Morris ends up working a full count before striking out on a pitch that would've been another borderline ball or strike. Bases left loaded. Cards 1, Cubs 0. Let's hope Matt doesn't worry about it when he gets back on the hill.
Okay, I'm an idiot. Drew walked in the third, so the run is clearly unearned. Edmonds average is now under .300. Following singles by Rolen and Renteria, Tino moves them over to second and third with a groundout. Intentional walk to Matheny. Goes to 2-0 on Morris and then gets a borderline strike. Damn, that would've made it 3-0. Instead, Morris ends up working a full count before striking out on a pitch that would've been another borderline ball or strike. Bases left loaded. Cards 1, Cubs 0. Let's hope Matt doesn't worry about it when he gets back on the hill.
BOTTOM 3RD
Well the Cubs may have a great pitching staff, but they sure as hell can't field. Zambrano becomes the third Cub pitcher to make a bad throw on a ball hit to him. The out-man Vina assures that it won't be a big inning by quickly grounding into a double play, but the Cards are on the board first, scoring an unearned run.
Except that Drew just got a hit, so does that make it an earned run? The hit came with two outs, meaning normally it wouldn't be earned. But one of those outs came as a result of the DP, and therefore, there would have been two outs no matter what and Drew woul've come up. I think a case could be made for it being an earned run if the scorer assumes that if Zambrano makes a good throw, that Vina grounds out to make two outs, and Matheny would've scored on a 2 out single by Drew. MLB Gameday still has it as an uneaned run. Maybe it's a judgement call. Cards 1, Cubs 0
Well the Cubs may have a great pitching staff, but they sure as hell can't field. Zambrano becomes the third Cub pitcher to make a bad throw on a ball hit to him. The out-man Vina assures that it won't be a big inning by quickly grounding into a double play, but the Cards are on the board first, scoring an unearned run.
Except that Drew just got a hit, so does that make it an earned run? The hit came with two outs, meaning normally it wouldn't be earned. But one of those outs came as a result of the DP, and therefore, there would have been two outs no matter what and Drew woul've come up. I think a case could be made for it being an earned run if the scorer assumes that if Zambrano makes a good throw, that Vina grounds out to make two outs, and Matheny would've scored on a 2 out single by Drew. MLB Gameday still has it as an uneaned run. Maybe it's a judgement call. Cards 1, Cubs 0
HEY IT WORKED THURSDAY.....
So here we go with another inning-by-inning account of a Cards day game, followed by a wrapup of the Cards-Cubs series.
I'm late starting because I went to get some lunch but thru an inning and a half there's not much going on. Matty Mo looks to be in good form. Patterson continues his hot hitting. Has he busted on to the stage of near-stardom? Well that's what we thought about J.D. Drew in 2001. He doubled in the first also. He's been looking pretty good with the stick since coming off the DL. Let's hope it continues.
So here we go with another inning-by-inning account of a Cards day game, followed by a wrapup of the Cards-Cubs series.
I'm late starting because I went to get some lunch but thru an inning and a half there's not much going on. Matty Mo looks to be in good form. Patterson continues his hot hitting. Has he busted on to the stage of near-stardom? Well that's what we thought about J.D. Drew in 2001. He doubled in the first also. He's been looking pretty good with the stick since coming off the DL. Let's hope it continues.
Sunday, May 18, 2003
CAL-ORIMETER 3 SAVES AND COUNTING........
A great victory today to help erase some of the sting from Saturday's loss. Looks like we have a new closer for the time being. We'll talk about some of the particulars tomorrow but I did want to address a few quick topics in Cardinal Land tonight while they're fresh in my head.
--A good job by the bullpen throughout the series so far, save one lucky swing by Mark Bellhorn. Today was one of the first games of the year where the bullpen was actually partly responsible for winning the game. What a job by Hermanson to wiggle out of the eighth and Fassero held his own in there today too, including getting the big out of Alou to start the ninth, before Eldred came in and shut the door.
--The accusations of gamesmanship by the Cubs are stupid, and especially stupid for the announcers to start talking about it. But what else would you expect from perhaps the worst broadcaster in the free world, Chip Caray. I liked Mark Prior a lot when he made those statements about being a professional following his confrontation with Bonds, but this weekend, when accusing TLR of "gamesmanship,' he sounds more like somebody who's getting a little too big for his britches. By the way, Chip and Stoney, that was a nice 1-2-3 inning that Simo had after Dusty tried to allegedly retaliate and throw Simo's timing off today.
--Speaking of Simo, starting pitching continues to be pretty good 1-4, with Simo walking a very fine line every time he goes out there. He had a very interesting day today. Retiring 18 of the first 20 batters he faced, including 14 in a row at one point, and then failing to get any of the four batters he faced in the seventh out. I still think there are better alternatives than him in the 5 hole, but I can live with six innings and three runs.
--There are trade rumors swirling again. A report in the Chicago Tribune has the Cards very interested in Jon Garland of the White Sox and willing to offer J.D. Drew. This is ludicrous and not just because Drew hit a 515-foot homer Friday night. He hasn't realized his potential yet and may never, given a lot of the "issues" he has (the Birdhouse would probably have a different word for it) but he certainly has way too much promise and current value to be traded for a guy who has basically regressed since he got to the majors. Garland may turn out to be a pretty good pitcher, but he doesn't have the ceiling of many young pitchers out there. He will never be the ace of the staff, his walk and K rates make that clear. He's getting hit harder now at 23 than he was at 21 and that's a problem. I don't believe the trade at all. The other rumor is from Redbird Nation, though I don't think the Brothers Gunn got this from the most reliable source (an usher?) and it is that Vina is going to NY for Benitez and Alomar. I could see it happening if money worked out. Although we would miss Vina's defense, Alomar just seems like he would be ready to thrive in St. Louis. We'll see if there's anything to it. Benitez would almost certainly benefit from getting out of NY. Also, Nation was speculating that there would have to be another Cardinal going to NY and that it could be Tino. That I very much doubt unless there wa ssome way to balance out salaries. The Mets would have Tino for another full year and this would kind of kabosh the whole Piazza-moves-to-first thing, although it doesn't sound like Mikey's going to be doing much of any kind of ball-playing for awhile. I'm intrigued. as always when I hear trade rumors, but I'm not feeling anything just yet.
--One piece of bad news is that Dan Haren got rocked in his first start at AAA tonight. He gave up six runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings to an Oklahoma RedHawks lineup that features several very good AAA hitters, guys that have played in the majors. It is the Texas Rangers AAA team and Haren gave up homers to Kevin Mench, who would be with the big club in just about every other organization in MLB (he was with, and played well with the Rangers in 2002), and Jason Hart, who got some major-league time last year in Texas and hit 25 dingers in AAA. The lineup also feature former top prospect and AAA masher Ryan Ludwick and IF Mike Lamb, who has spent a lot of time with the Rangers. It was good for Haren to go up against some guys who can hit at the major-league level, and though he struggled, I'm sure he'll bounce back. So now everybody can calm down about the kid a little bit (especially me). He doesn't turn 23 for four more months!
A great victory today to help erase some of the sting from Saturday's loss. Looks like we have a new closer for the time being. We'll talk about some of the particulars tomorrow but I did want to address a few quick topics in Cardinal Land tonight while they're fresh in my head.
--A good job by the bullpen throughout the series so far, save one lucky swing by Mark Bellhorn. Today was one of the first games of the year where the bullpen was actually partly responsible for winning the game. What a job by Hermanson to wiggle out of the eighth and Fassero held his own in there today too, including getting the big out of Alou to start the ninth, before Eldred came in and shut the door.
--The accusations of gamesmanship by the Cubs are stupid, and especially stupid for the announcers to start talking about it. But what else would you expect from perhaps the worst broadcaster in the free world, Chip Caray. I liked Mark Prior a lot when he made those statements about being a professional following his confrontation with Bonds, but this weekend, when accusing TLR of "gamesmanship,' he sounds more like somebody who's getting a little too big for his britches. By the way, Chip and Stoney, that was a nice 1-2-3 inning that Simo had after Dusty tried to allegedly retaliate and throw Simo's timing off today.
--Speaking of Simo, starting pitching continues to be pretty good 1-4, with Simo walking a very fine line every time he goes out there. He had a very interesting day today. Retiring 18 of the first 20 batters he faced, including 14 in a row at one point, and then failing to get any of the four batters he faced in the seventh out. I still think there are better alternatives than him in the 5 hole, but I can live with six innings and three runs.
--There are trade rumors swirling again. A report in the Chicago Tribune has the Cards very interested in Jon Garland of the White Sox and willing to offer J.D. Drew. This is ludicrous and not just because Drew hit a 515-foot homer Friday night. He hasn't realized his potential yet and may never, given a lot of the "issues" he has (the Birdhouse would probably have a different word for it) but he certainly has way too much promise and current value to be traded for a guy who has basically regressed since he got to the majors. Garland may turn out to be a pretty good pitcher, but he doesn't have the ceiling of many young pitchers out there. He will never be the ace of the staff, his walk and K rates make that clear. He's getting hit harder now at 23 than he was at 21 and that's a problem. I don't believe the trade at all. The other rumor is from Redbird Nation, though I don't think the Brothers Gunn got this from the most reliable source (an usher?) and it is that Vina is going to NY for Benitez and Alomar. I could see it happening if money worked out. Although we would miss Vina's defense, Alomar just seems like he would be ready to thrive in St. Louis. We'll see if there's anything to it. Benitez would almost certainly benefit from getting out of NY. Also, Nation was speculating that there would have to be another Cardinal going to NY and that it could be Tino. That I very much doubt unless there wa ssome way to balance out salaries. The Mets would have Tino for another full year and this would kind of kabosh the whole Piazza-moves-to-first thing, although it doesn't sound like Mikey's going to be doing much of any kind of ball-playing for awhile. I'm intrigued. as always when I hear trade rumors, but I'm not feeling anything just yet.
--One piece of bad news is that Dan Haren got rocked in his first start at AAA tonight. He gave up six runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings to an Oklahoma RedHawks lineup that features several very good AAA hitters, guys that have played in the majors. It is the Texas Rangers AAA team and Haren gave up homers to Kevin Mench, who would be with the big club in just about every other organization in MLB (he was with, and played well with the Rangers in 2002), and Jason Hart, who got some major-league time last year in Texas and hit 25 dingers in AAA. The lineup also feature former top prospect and AAA masher Ryan Ludwick and IF Mike Lamb, who has spent a lot of time with the Rangers. It was good for Haren to go up against some guys who can hit at the major-league level, and though he struggled, I'm sure he'll bounce back. So now everybody can calm down about the kid a little bit (especially me). He doesn't turn 23 for four more months!
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