Baseball- GO Cardinals!

sdcforever · April 26, 2009, 05:46:16 PM

Today's a perfect example of why I think the Cards will win between 85-90 games this year. We have a great lineup, but going into today's game we were hitting .302 on the year. Obviously we aren't going to hit that for the year. Our weakest spot is our pitching, especially the bullpen. For the rotation, Wainwright and Lohse are fairly consistent. Pineiro's pitched great so far because he's been keeping the ball down, but who knows how long that'll continue. Wellemeyer, don't even get me started! And the spot starter for Carpenter's slot is like a coin toss. Our bullpen from top to bottom just isn't very good.

I think we'll win between 85-90 games because we just can't count on most of our pitching staff. When our lineup doesn't hit consistently we can't count on our pitching to pick us up. I believe we don't have enough talent to be consistently good, which means we could squeak into the playoffs as a wild card, but we won't win the division. This team is capable of a few five game win streaks, but it's also capable of a few five game losing streaks. I don't like the Cubs, but I'm also not in denial. The Cubs have a strong lineup and a strong pitching staff, which is why (barring any major injuries) I think they'll win the division.

Zephon · April 26, 2009, 06:28:34 PM

Well, sad to say, we couldn't complete the sweep of those Cubs. They managed to get the best of Wellemeyer, who has not been at all sharp yet this season. But, we still have a 2 game lead over Pittsburgh, and 3 over the Cubs, with Cincy sandwiched in between them. Tough series against Atlanta coming up, they've been playing better lately. We've got to stay focused.

sdcforever, I think your wins prediction for this season is probably pretty close. I don't think this is a 100 win team. But, I'm a little more optimistic about where we'll finish. We're not firing on all cylinders yet, but we're still winning games. I like our young guys, I like our vets. I think our pitching staff will hold it's own, although a sure fire stopper in the BP would be nice. The Cubs got lucky with late inning heroics in the series in Chicago, or our record would be even better. It's still early, but I like the way this team has come out of the blocks. Don't sell it short.

Swoosh · April 27, 2009, 09:01:11 PM

Lookie there! Joel Pineiro picks up the win in the first game of the 3-game series with Atlanta. Nice to see the Cards are able to cool down a team that has been "red-hot"

Now let's see if Arizona can beat the baby bears

themeparkguy · April 27, 2009, 09:22:38 PM

Swoosh- I'm not sure you have enough oats in your diet.

Zephon · April 27, 2009, 09:24:36 PM

This was indeed a great win. Piniero was awesome, Perez got his out, MacClellon made his pitches when he had to, and Franklin has been lights out. This team has great potential.

Swoosh · April 28, 2009, 07:11:56 AM

Quote from: themeparkguy on April 27, 2009, 09:22:38 PM
Swoosh- I'm not sure you have enough oats in your diet.

What? I can't hear you over the sobbing of Chi-town over another Cubby loss.
Raise the BIG "L" Flag over Wrigley!

themeparkguy · April 28, 2009, 09:39:32 AM

We do not cry over a loss ( as there has been many). We regroup and start anew Mr. Swoosher. Did you have your oats this morning?

Swoosh · April 28, 2009, 10:03:41 AM

^Nah I fed the oats to the Billy Goat

Now THAT'S a great story

saladdays · April 28, 2009, 10:34:38 AM

Quote from: themeparkguy on April 28, 2009, 09:39:32 AM
We do not cry over a loss ( as there has been many). We regroup and start anew Mr. Swoosher. Did you have your oats this morning?

themeparkguy · April 28, 2009, 09:37:12 PM

Oops a 2 to 1 loss and a possible win (up 5 to nill in the 5th).

themeparkguy · April 28, 2009, 09:51:07 PM

But it does always seem to come back to that goat

themeparkguy · April 28, 2009, 10:50:46 PM

I'm out- at 11-1 I think it will be a W- you win we lose, you lose we win- what a season we have in store.

oldsdcer · April 29, 2009, 08:05:15 AM

Well McClellen deserved that loss last night, He started to show signs of Ankiel's falldown for awhile.

rubedugans · April 29, 2009, 10:39:13 AM

Speaking of Mets, I just met up with Darryl Strawberry, he now lives near me. He has really turned things around. Remarried, and lives in a nice suburb of StL.

sdcforever · April 29, 2009, 11:35:42 AM

Quote from: oldsdcer on April 29, 2009, 08:05:15 AM
Well McClellen deserved that loss last night, He started to show signs of Ankiel's falldown for awhile.

Not only did he take the loss but also a blown save. He looks more like Izzy of 2007 and 2008, whereas Franklin looks more like Izzy of 2005 and 2006.

Well, as Mike Shannon would say, tonight's the rubber game of a three game set. Vazquez vs. Wainwright. Vazquez is a hard throwing right-hander, and he has some nasty stuff. He's 2-1 this year with a 2.63 ERA in 24.0 innings pitched. Here's the scary stats--he has 34 strikeouts and only 7 walks. Opponents are hitting .237 against him and he's only given up 1 homerun.

Expect the low offensive output to continue tonight unless Vazquez is really off of his game. Wainwright looks to be a great matchup for Vazquez; this should be a close, low scoring game if both pitchers pitch the way they're capable.