Meet the Mets
Greet the Mets, hopefully with a broom.
Well, it’s on…in 4 hours anyway. The Metropolitans are getting their chance at revenge for the National League pennant that should have been theirs, by their reckoning, or at least that of many of their fans.
That’s why the play the games. Even Cardinals fans would admit that a lot of times the better team doesn’t win (see 1985 WS Game 6 or 1968 WS Game 7). However, the delusion that the Mets were a much better team than the Cardinals at that point really should end. The Cards’ pitching was good enough to win in 7, and aside from one game (Game 4 in St. Louis), the Mets potent lineup was nullified.
And, oh by the way, Carlos Beltran is still dreaming about that called third strike. And he still can’t swing at it. That being said, good luck this season to Mets’ fans. Let’s hope there’s another Mets-Cards NLCS. It’s the way it should be.
Back, and probably not better than ever
However, since today is opening day…and the Cards are starting the MLB season with the title defense tonight, I figured it’s better than never to start blogging Redbird baseball again.
Seems like a few Cards bloggers have left MLBlogs, or have been inactive…I, being one of them…but Cardinal Nation has to represent, so here we go…
1) I think the Cardinals will repeat as Central Division Champs this year, however they won’t get past the NLCS, or perhaps even the NLDS. I’m willing to give them a bit of a pass this year with the first World Championship in 24 years. Re-tool, re-arm, play a hard nine and see where it ends up. I just can’t see them going deep in the playoffs…and not because of the rotation turnover. I think the starting lineup is potentially weak, especially if Edmonds can’t return somewhat to form…Duncan takes a step back…and Adam Kennedy gets off to a slow start. The Encarnacion/Wilson/Taguchi platoon is what it is, and to expect much production from it is a chimera.
2) That being said, I think the starting rotation will do exceedingly well. They’ll have to in order for the team to stay in contention for the playoffs in the “Dodge City, KS” that is the National League. I expect Anthony Reyes to be the 5th starter by performance. Too many fly balls yields too many home runs. However, I think his ERA will be around 4.20…Suppan-level performance from Flat Iron, as it were.
3) Scott Rolen will return to form. He’ll have to as well. If not, Albert will be lucky to get pitched to at all.
4) Really, a lot of things have to break right for the Cardinals to have a great to outstanding team. I think they’ll be a pretty good team, and make the playoffs…I just can’t see much past that. Regardless, every game, I’ll be expecting them to win…and I’ll actually believe that my interest in the team will have an impact on their on-field performance. Like most baseball fans. Nothin’ wrong with that, huh??
As I predicted…
so far anyway…the Cards are 5-1 on their current homestand. A sweep of the Pirates stands in the way of an 8-1 stretch as I hoped would happen. With Carp on the mound tonight, it should be 6-1. Knock on wood.
Anyway, nice couple of games for the team not formerly known as comeback kids. Marquis still bites, but I’m back on the Suppan bandwagon, in fact I think I’m driving it. He deserves to be back next year. I think he’s a good cost-effective 5th starter.
I’m off to Chicago for a wedding…not my own. I should be able to keep abreast of happenings while I’m gone. In a couple of weeks I’m heading to Baltimore and have already bought tickets to an Orioles-Sawx game on the 13th. I can’t wait to see Camden Yards for the first time!
I want to believe
that Mulder is not done, but after last night’s shelling, let’s admit that it’s over. At least for this season.
Sign him to a one-year, incentive laden deal. After his inevitable surgery, he might come back with a clean bill of health, and a good arm slot. Or not. But his career is now a reclamation project.
On the plus side of the margin, the team is actually thinking of going after Babe, Jr. Sounds like a good 4-5 regular season starts, and a couple of playoff-starts. Why the heck not? Of course, they won’t get him anyway. The management won’t give up enough…and they better not give up too much. Especially for a rental.
OMG!!!
That is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen…
A game-winning, walk-off, grand-slam home run by Gary Bennett. I can’t even say how happy I am right now. That was amazing.
It reminded me of Jim Edmonds’ Game 6 walk-off homer in the 2004 NLCS. Same kind of emotion. Intense. Finally, this team is starting to feel like a team. Like they care. This might be the start of something good.
I predicted a home stand of 8-1, and so far they’re 3-0. So they just have to win 5 out of the next 6 versus the Marlins and Pirates. Marlins are playing well…so that’ll be easier said than done. But I believe they’ll sweep the Pirates. I’m sure some payback is in order after the sweep in P-burgh.
Despite my other worries, I’ll go to bed happy tonight!
Wow…a winning streak!
Against the Cubs for cryin’ out loud!
Carp doesn’t get the decision…but a Cy Young type performance regardless. The bottom end of the lineup produces today, solely in the form of Gary Bennett. I’d almost rather he start most of the games the rest of the season, and I’m not just talking about his hot streak. Seems more calm behind the plate, and isn’t a total black hole in the 8 spot. Has been better at blocking balls in the dirt too.
The “core” guys need to start hitting, though. Weaver is going to give up more than 1 run tomorrow night. I guarantee it.
General Apathy and Major Boredom
Well, the team played well in Chicago, only to get their hats handed to them by the Mets. I won’t go into the particulars except to say that I think Mulder is (effectively) done for the year, Marquis will never be the starter the team needs, and his stuff suggests; Weaver is a flake, but I still like his stuff, and Suppan can be my number 4 or 5 starter any day.
So for next season, I’d re-sign Suppan and Weaver, and jettison Mulder and Marquis. Someone will over-pay for those two, and it better not be the Cardinals. If there’s some kind of magical resurrection potion M&M drink that makes them world-beaters the next month, fine…I’m all in. I just don’t see it happening. Bring Reyes and Wainwright into the rotation…or sign a top-notch starter, and leave AW in the pen. Something like that. I’d like to think WJ can make a run at Barry Zito, but the ownership is already balking at upping the payroll next year. Of course, they’re claiming they’re at about $95M this season, when most projections show $86M, probably without incentives. Where does the truth lie? Ask Mulder. No, the other one.
Suppan was nails last night, despite the mis-adventures of young Mr. Duncan in left field. If he’s anywhere close to that kind of performance 2 out of every 3 starts, he’s worth keeping around. That being said, the team was lucky to win last night. 15 LOB. Are you kidding me?? Jimmy left 7 on himself, while striking out 4 times. I will say that the Cubbies didn’t give him a good pitch to hit, so he had to take some chances…and one of those SO’s should’ve been a walk…so I’m not down on Jimmy. I still think he’ll come around. Not to the extent that I projected, but post-concussion syndrome will impact anyone’s numbers…and I was probably being a tad unrealistic in my analysis.
Anyway, back to the current…I’m predicting an 8-1 homestand by the good guys, and a 4-game lead in the standings by the end of the homestand. Certainly, anything less than 7-2 would be a dissapointment of the highest order. The Cardinals are now back in 1st place after last night, thanks to their win and the help of an ex-Cardinal.
FUBAR
I prefer to look at this picture, than think of the managing train wreck that just occurred. Sheesh.
Walking Cedeno and loading the bases to get to Nevin for a DP to end the inning…I understand.
Pinch-hitting Juan-Enc for your hottest hitter, I don’t. And not only that, but Juan doesn’t stay in the game. Timo P. ends up playing right field.
I agree with a lot of folks over at Viva El Birdos. This one is squarely on TLR. He blew this game, not the team. Hopefully he’ll own up to it…for what it’s worth, and that’s actually very little.
On the good side, the Cardinals are one Carpenter start away from a series win. Of course, they could’ve beaten the Cubs best pitcher today and had a chance at a sweep. So much for the broom.
As Bluto said to Flounder, “My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.”
As Otter said to Flounder (cleaned up for MLBlogs), “Face it, you screwed up! You trusted us!” That’s what TLR should be saying to the team right about now. And to the fans.
On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia. Scratch that, make it San Diego.
No vacancy
I’m off for a week-long vacation. To the Bahamas. If I have internet access, and some spare time, I’ll write a post or two.
If not, back in a week or so. Here’s hoping the Cardinals get off to a good start to their road trip tonight…
There’s no smoking in baseball!!
At least there isn’t today…
But I’m watching the 1982 World Series, Game 7…and in the 8th inning, the camera scans through the Brewers dugout…and there’s Ted Simmons, smoking a cigarette.
What?!?
Chaw, bubble gum, sunflower seeds…sure. Cigarettes?
Of course, some of the Cardinals players used some, ahem, recreational drugs during their time, but it’s just really strange to see a player smoking in the dugout. Reminds me of that scene early in Bull Durham where the catcher (not Crash Davis) is eating a hot dog.
spiff
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