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[jst01]

Offense decided to come alive in Cincy. Martinez killing the ball.

[McKdaddy]

Props when they perform well.

[jst01]

I want them to start hitting for my own selfish reasons. Driving over to Cincy today and have tix for the games this weekend. I’d like to see some runs scored dangit! Anyone been to Great American ballpark? This is my first trip there. Accepting cool things to see recommendations

[McKdaddy]

No sir.  I've not been to a Reds game since the early 80's at that cookie-cutter park they and 1/2 of MLB had.

[jrulz83]

I want them to start hitting for my own selfish reasons. Driving over to Cincy today and have tix for the games this weekend. I’d like to see some runs scored dangit! Anyone been to Great American ballpark? This is my first trip there. Accepting cool things to see recommendations

I think you’ll get your wish. The Reds suck. They need to trade Votto for some pitching and jumpstart the rebuild. This should be a sweep but probably won’t be.

Speaking of rebuilds, did anybody else hear that the Marlins AA team outdrew the MLB team in attendance the other night? Wednesday night their AA team, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, (awesome name) had 6,960 while they had 6,150 in Marlins Park. Under 20k total for a three game series with the Mets. Not that Jeter doesn’t deserve it or anything, but ouch!

[jst01]

Oh wow, that is crazy. Fans can probably get some very cheap seats these days! Bet you could also pay for bleacher seats and walk right down behind the dugout.

[pigture perfect]

Everyone else in the division lost today. Cards jump to 2nd place. And we are the only team to beat the Mets this year.

[jst01]

Garcia the hero today!

[McKdaddy]

Good to have Cincy on the schedule.

[pigture perfect]

We finally got our shot at Cincy.

[jrulz83]

Got the sweep. Is it too late swap out some games for a couple more series with Cincy? Now go ram jam the Cubs and I’ll be thrilled.

[c-townfan]

Love the sweep but it was the reds lol. And Matheny for the love of God quit batting Carpenter 3rd. That’s not his strength. He’s an OBP guy. Quit being dumb.

[hoghappy]

Someone needs to cool down the Pirates. Wow! They are cooking.

[McKdaddy]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/hochman-where-should-matt-carpenter-bat-not-third/article_a4374829-d7a4-5611-9520-2c61a9da59e8.html

[jrulz83]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/hochman-where-should-matt-carpenter-bat-not-third/article_a4374829-d7a4-5611-9520-2c61a9da59e8.html

It’s early and Carpenter didn’t have a normal spring training. I’d give him this Cubs series, but if he doesn’t do something encouraging (like a 10 for 24 stretch or a .400ish obp for the week) by the end of this week it’s time to rethink things.

I think Carpenter’s problem is the shift has owned him. He cannot poke the ball to the left side of the infield. Until he starts beating the shift it’s going to be staring him in the face every AB.

[McKdaddy]

I hate the cancellation because I have a late appointment with clients tonight and wouldn't be home until 8pm.  I was looking forward to seeing only 3 innings of how Matheny might screw it up.

[pigture perfect]

I agree about Carp and the shift. I really don’t know what there is to do about it, other than change your approach. It drives me nuts.

[clutch]

I agree about Carp and the shift. I really don’t know what there is to do about it, other than change your approach. It drives me nuts.

It amazes me how many big leaguers can't beat the shift.

[jrulz83]

What I don’t understand about Carpenter beating a shift is they’ll pitch him away and he can’t go with the pitch. He just rolls ground balls to the right side. I get it, it’s big league pitching and everything, but you’d think he’d eventually figure out how to go with it. Long way to go yet, hopefully his breakthrough comes at Wrigley.

[pigture perfect]

Look who’s just 1game back. Still some holes in the lineup, but starters starting to look better. Couple of bullpen guys still scare me.

[jst01]

Timely hitting is coming around. But Holland is BAD. That guy may not finish the season on this team. He definitely won’t be closing any games here. He came into this season out of shape and not ready and can’t throw strikes. Carpenter had a quote last night that said what the team is thinking about the closer spot, regarding Bud Norris: “He's showing every reason we should assume he's going to finish the game for us," infielder Matt Carpenter said. "We believe in the ninth inning he's going to shut the door." 

[hoghappy]

I didn’t think that the pitch to Baez was that bad. He had to golf it out.

[jst01]

Problem is he kept throwing that same slider and missing low. Like 9 of his first 12 were the same low sliders. Pro hitters have no trouble recognizing a pitch when seeing it that many times (including standing on deck) and that’s why Baez saw it and still crushed a out of the zone pitch.

[jrulz83]

Random thoughts from last night, and a question:

I wasn’t a fan of the Holland signing, but I think he’ll come around. I think they’ve rushed him a bit, probably should have given him a little more time to get ready.

When Bud Norris signed who would’ve thought he would be the closer and be pretty good at it, so far anyway? I sure didn’t. It’s early, but his signing is looking like a steal.

Also, what about Hicks last night? 102 in that weather? Good luck with that. It looks like Matheny is going to use him against the opponents best hitters in late(ish) game situations. A welcome departure from his designated 7th, 8th, and 9th inning guys that he runs out every day.

It’s far from finished, but I like what I’m seeing in that bullpen. They could use a lefty specialist though.

Paul Dejong is apparently a two outcome (homer or strikeout) guy, but he did see some tough pitching last night. The Cardinals really need him to cut the K rate.

I was glad to see Carpenter do something offensively last night.

With Fowler scuffling, should Bader be getting a few more starts in RF?

[jst01]

Bud Norris was a cards killer in Houston a while back. He killed us one year and it seemed we faced him like 9 times in one season!

Yea we need Carp to get back to his normal ways, good to see it against the cubs.

I’m of the opinion that you play Fowler and keep playing him. He’s a centerpiece of the lineup and you are paying him like it, so just give him AB’s. This team needs the Oz, Pham and Fowler to all have good years to play to their potential.

[jrulz83]

Tyler O’Neill is getting called up, the guy strikes out a ton but can mash. Big time power, he’ll be a threat off the bench and can play all three OF spots. I think I’d like them to play him a lot though. Sounds like 13 pitchers may be a thing of the past for the Cardinals.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/scorching-slugger-o-neill-set-to-join-cardinals-in-chicago/article_8029c199-4ce5-53ef-a43f-97cc5b4025fd.html

[jst01]

Will they make it 7 for 7 vs Reds today?

[jrulz83]

Need the Reds to make more appearances on the schedule.

Dejong had a good game offensively, that’s back to back games for him with no K’s. Keep it up. However, I would have preferred a K to the GIDP with the bases loaded.

The decision to move Carpenter to lead off came out of nowhere, but I like it.

With his footspeed I’m not so sure about Molina in the 2 hole, but he seems to enjoy hitting there. I know it’s not a permanent thing, it’s more of a T. Pham’s groin is sore thing.

Miles Mikolas is fun to watch pitch.

Holland had an uneventful 9th, that was good to see.

I don’t understand why Bud Norris pitched with a four run lead in the eighth, that was strange. After the Cardinals took the big lead I thought Matheny should have pitched Brebbia and let Norris rest, but whatever.

Good teams beat the bad ones up and that’s exactly what the Cardinals have done to the Reds so far. Are the Cardinals a good team? It’s still early, but I really like what I’m seeing. They can beat you in quite a few ways. Just need the pitching to hold up and the offense to cut down a few K’s.

[McKdaddy]

Here’s a positive article....

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jose-de-jesus-ortiz/ortiz-cardinals-better-than-they-ve-shown-on-their-/article_bede20df-5acf-53df-ae82-d9221b228016.html

[jst01]

think the best part of that article are the pictures under it. Some cool looking shots.

[jrulz83]

The home series with the Metropitans and Pirates are going to tell us something. Really need to come out better than .500 for the two series.

[Cotton]

Update: Added the regional sports package on Sunday. Finally have all the Redbird games on my TV 

[McKdaddy]

Update: Added the regional sports package on Sunday. Finally have all the Redbird games on my TV 

+1

[hogcards]

Here’s a positive article....

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jose-de-jesus-ortiz/ortiz-cardinals-better-than-they-ve-shown-on-their-/article_bede20df-5acf-53df-ae82-d9221b228016.html

Good Lord, de Jesus Ortiz is a horrible writer.

Given all of his fan fair, the Cards are still in dire need of another bat.  They also need to get Fowler out of the everyday line-up and allow him to only have about 300-400 abs as a 4th or 5th outfielder.  That was a really bad signing by Mozeliak.

[Cotton]

+1

And Mike rewards me by not bunting with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, bottom 9, tie game.

Headscratcher.

[pigture perfect]

I don’t know if Jose Martinez knows show to bunt.

[Cotton]

I don’t know if Jose Martinez knows show to bunt.

There's a spot in Springfield for him then.

[jrulz83]

There's a spot in Springfield for him then.

I can’t remember a single time that a regular 3/4 hole hitter on an MLB team has bunted in a late inning RISP situation. I’m sure it has happened, I just don’t remember it. I don’t think you ask Jose Martinez (a guy that is in the upper echelons of exit velocity and contact rate on swings, two stats that lend themselves to hit making) to bunt. Just my opinion, but I think swinging away was the right play.

Now, if you want to discuss Hicks going two innings, I thought Matheny screwed up there. Hicks hasn’t looked good going multiple innings to me. Matheny is trying to shoehorn somebody into an Andrew Miller role and it’s dumb. I also fault Matheny for sticking with Weaver on the Cespedes HR, but I’m used to that type of screw up at this point.

[Cotton]

I can’t remember a single time that a regular 3/4 hole hitter on an MLB team has bunted in a late inning RISP situation. I’m sure it has happened, I just don’t remember it. I don’t think you ask Jose Martinez (a guy that is in the upper echelons of exit velocity and contact rate on swings, two stats that lend themselves to hit making) to bunt. Just my opinion, but I think swinging away was the right play.

Now, if you want to discuss Hicks going two innings, I thought Matheny screwed up there. Hicks hasn’t looked good going multiple innings to me. Matheny is trying to shoehorn somebody into an Andrew Miller role and it’s dumb. I also fault Matheny for sticking with Weaver on the Cespedes HR, but I’m used to that type of screw up at this point.

It's a team game. Bunt the runners over. J Mart is not a HOF hitter.

IMO Matheny is trying to give Hicks multiple innings because they want him to be the next Carlos Martinez and move into a starting role after a couple years.

I'm with you 100% on the Cespedes/Weaver deal... what was it 10 straight balls?  We all knew exactly what was coming next.

[jrulz83]

It's a team game. Bunt the runners over. J Mart is not a HOF hitter.

IMO Matheny is trying to give Hicks multiple innings because they want him to be the next Carlos Martinez and move into a starting role after a couple years.

I'm with you 100% on the Cespedes/Weaver deal... what was it 10 straight balls?  We all knew exactly what was coming next.

You don’t ask the 3/4 hitter in the lineup to bunt with runner(s) in scoring position. I hear you, but it’s not typically what happens.

Bunting would have been an unorthodox play. Maybe it works, but what if he fails to execute the bunt? I can’t recall ever seeing him bunt, he may be the worst person ever at bunting.

I’m pinning that loss on Matheny and his pitching decisions. Hicks may be the next C-Mart, but I haven’t seen the secondary stuff from him that’ll get him through a lineup multiple times. I do see enough from the fastball/slider combo and his calm mentality to see him maybe being the closer next season, but who knows?

As an aside, I did enjoy the safety squeeze/steal play that Wacha, Dejong, and Wong executed last night. That was a thing of beauty.

[Cotton]

You don’t ask the 3/4 hitter in the lineup to bunt with runner(s) in scoring position. I hear you, but it’s not typically what happens.

Bunting would have been an unorthodox play. Maybe it works, but what if he fails to execute the bunt? I can’t recall ever seeing him bunt, he may be the worst person ever at bunting.

I’m pinning that loss on Matheny and his pitching decisions. Hicks may be the next C-Mart, but I haven’t seen the secondary stuff from him that’ll get him through a lineup multiple times. I do see enough from the fastball/slider combo and his calm mentality to see him maybe being the closer next season, but who knows?

As an aside, I did enjoy the safety squeeze/steal play that Wacha, Dejong, and Wong executed last night. That was a thing of beauty.

I'm more of a small ball type of guy... all 9 guys in my lineup will always be capable and expected to bunt in that situation.



Anways, Tsunami vs Thor part II just started in STL.

[clutch]

I'm more of a small ball type of guy... all 9 guys in my lineup will always be capable and expected to bunt in that situation.



Anways, Tsunami vs Thor part II just started in STL.

Most managers are going away from small ball. The data backs up that decision too. There is actually very few situations where bunting is the right play according to the data. Late situations in a tied game is one, but I don't think I'd have done it with the heart of my lineup either.

[Cotton]

Most managers are going away from small ball. The data backs up that decision too. There is actually very few situations where bunting is the right play according to the data. Late situations in a tied game is one, but I don't think I'd have done it with the heart of my lineup either.

Well we would've won if I was in charge  lol

[Cotton]

Mike leaves in a reliever too long...


This post is relevant anytime you read it.

[jrulz83]

Mike leaves in a reliever too long...


This post is relevant anytime you read it.

I don’t get what happened there. 5 pitches, 2 outs and then Gregerson completely loses the strike zone. Weird.

[Cotton]

BIRDS WIN

#THATSAWINNER

[pigture perfect]

Welp, we won in spite of Mikes mess ups. 😜 Mike made some pretty good moves in that game. I don’t believe he left Grant in too long today.

[jrulz83]

Welp, we won in spite of Mikes mess ups. 😜 Mike made some pretty good moves in that game. I don’t believe he left Grant in too long today.

We all get too caught up in a move made by manager or coach. Players have to execute. Coaches and managers can only do so much.

Matheny did a good job today, especially when he told Pham to find a bigger helmet. 

[pigture perfect]

Holland is dead to me.

[hogcards]

Holland is dead to me.

Mozeliak is in over his head.