Bird Bits
Written by Mike on August 17, 2008 – 10:13 am -First off, I’d be remiss to not point out a debate going on over at Viva El Birdos this morning. houstoncardinal, one of the regular posters at VEB has sparked some heated conversation on the subject of Cardinal prospect Colby Rasmus. He claims that it would benefit the team to call up the youngster and play him in the outfield everyday in place of Skip Schumaker. I think it’s an asinine idea, but rather than hash out why again, I’ll let you read my comments, as well as many others, here. There’s nothing like a baseball debate, and if nothing else, the author did get me in the mood for some baseball today.
Next, check out the odds of who’s going to win the National League Wild Card in an article in the Post Dispatch from Joe Strauss. I still like our chances.
And finally, for those like me that were wondering if we’d see the “B team” out there today for Tony La Russa, here’s the Cardinals’ starting lineup:
- Skip Schumaker CF
- Ryan Ludwick RF
- Albert Pujols 1B
- Rick Ankiel LF
- Troy Glaus 3B
- Adam Kennedy 2B
- Yadier Molina C
- Kyle Lohse P
- Cesar Izuris SS
It’s nice to see the regulars in there while the Cards go for the sweep. With only 36 games left in the season and so many off days coming up, I think it’s time to play the best nine every day.
UCB Roundtable - Midseason
Written by Mike on July 16, 2008 – 7:06 pm -Back in March, just before the start of the season, the United Cardinal Bloggers had a pre-season roundtable discussion on the state of the ball club, and what we expected from the Cardinals in ‘08. Now at the All-Star break, the Cards find themselves right in the thick of a pennant race, and the UCB had our second round of discussion. Each of the participating blogs tossed out a question. Here’s the question I posted, the responses, and the links to the other blogs:
There is an obvious need for an upgrade in the middle infield for next season. There are some pretty good options that should still be available this winter. Should the Cardinals go after one? Who do you see as the everyday middle infielders in ‘09?
C70 at the Bat: The Cards probably at least should make inquiries on some of the free agents, but I’d expect that they would be too expensive for what they bring. Sentimentally, I’d like to see Renteria back if his option isn’t picked up, but not for a whole lot. Furcal is the only “star” in the group, in my mind, but he’ll be way too expensive for the Cardinals to consider, I’d expect. We’ll probably see Kennedy and Ryan in the middle of the diamond next year, with perhaps Hoffpaiur as the backup.
The Cardinal Virtue: I’m tired of the weak infield. Furcal. Furcal. Furcal. We’re freeing up some major cash next year — I don’t believe he’ll be out of our price range. That said, I see Ryan and Kennedy as being the guys next year — show’s you how much faith I have in the brass pulling the trigger on an expensive free-agent.
Fungoes: A solid free-agent option is second baseman Orlando Hudson, who still figures to provide some ROI, even with a three-year deal. The team could do worse than a Barden (.371 OBP in AAA) - Hoffpaiur (.381) keystone combo, though.
Redbird Ramblings, Cardinals GM, and Bird Land also submitted questions. Find my answers to all six of the other questions at each of the above links (Note: some may not yet be posted).
As far as the middle infield dilemma, I don’t think the combination of Ryan and Kennedy is going to cut it. I think if the outfield is already pretty stacked, some of the freed up payroll should be allocated to an upgrade at either short or second. I’d be fine with either of the above suggested free agents, with Ryan or Kennedy on the bench.
66 more games to go. Hopefully the Cards can hang in there.
You Can’t Put a Chain on a Junkyard Dog
Written by Mike on June 29, 2008 – 8:15 pm -
It’s a saying that I first heard from my good friend Jimmy, and there’s no better one that could describe the breakout game today from Cardinal backup catcher Jason LaRue. It was his performance, both offensively and defensively, that allowed the Cards to win the series today in Kansas City.
In the first inning, with the Royals threatening to take an early lead, LaRue stood strong at home plate to endure a collision with David DeJesus. The Cardinal backstop was upended, but held on to the ball for the out. LaRue’s two-run homer in the second put the Cards on the board first. He wasn’t done there. Later, in the fifth, he knocked in two more with a ball hit to center that knuckled away from Joey Gathright for a triple. From Matthew Leach’s recap:
“My goodness,” marveled manager Tony La Russa. ”What more can you do? Big hits, big collision at the plate, and he got another couple balls that he hit well that were outs. He just had a terrific day.”
Braden Looper didn’t have it today, and left the game with the bases loaded and only one out in the fourth, clinging to a two run lead. Chris Perez came in to put out the fire and pick up the win. The Cardinals used five relievers, combining for 5.2 innings and allowing three runs.
Luckily, Junkyard LaRue and all of his facial hair showed up to play today. His action has been limited, but when you let him off the porch, LaRue has shown that he’s quite capable. Other notables from the game:
- Albert Pujols hit his 299th home run of his career.
- Former Cardinal Mark Grudzielanek went 4 for 5.
- Adam Kennedy was the only Cardinal without a hit.
- Mark Mulder warmed up, but didn’t get in the game.
The final score was 9-6. Here’s the complete box score.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals may be short handed in the relief department for the series opener tomorrow against the Mets. I would imagine that Perez, Jason Isringhausen, Kyle McClellan, and possibly Ryan Franklin, will all be unavailable due to their taxing workload. Now that interleague play is over, I think there will be a roster move made before the game, possibly sending down Nick Stavinoha for a pitcher.
Kyle Lohse will start the game for the Redbirds tomorrow night. He’s coming off a subpar outing in Detroit, but the talented Mets club is having a subpar season. John Maine gets the start for New York.
Finally, don’t forget to vote your favorite Cardinal players into the All-Star game. Only three days of voting left.
Cards Tame Tigers
Written by Mike on June 24, 2008 – 8:07 pm -For some bizarre reason, the schedule makers for MLB have the St. Louis Cardinals visiting Detroit for the third straight year. It’s pretty ridiculous. Regardless, the Cards were able to win the first game of the series, despite getting swept out of Tigertown the past two years.
The Cardinal bats were able to peg Detroit cheater starter Kenny Rodgers with 5 runs through 5.1 innings. I guess he forgot the pine tar this time around. Every Cardinal batter reached base at least once during the game. Five different Cardinals contributed with RBI, including the newest Redbird, Nick Stavinoha, who picked up his first in the big leagues.
Braden Looper pitched effectively, collecting his ninth win. He lasted 6 innings, allowing 4 runs, all on 3 home runs (although the replay showed that one of the homers didn’t actually leave the yard). He also struck out three. The bullpen shut out the Tigers the rest of the way. 8-4 was the final. Here’s the full recap and box score.
The latest news on disabled slugger Albert Pujols is good. According to Matthew Leach, it’s likely that Pujols will be activated in time for Thursday’s game. So far, the Cardinals are 6-6 without Albert, which considering the schedule, is far better than I imagined they would be. It’ll be nice to get El Hombre back. Even though they’ve held their own, I would prefer not to see Yadier Molina or Adam Kennedy play any more first base. But, as Tony La Russa says, you play with what you have, and the Cardinals are doing that quite well.
Tomorrow’s match up should be a good one. Kyle Lohse gets the start for the Cards. He’s 9-2, with a 3.63 ERA. Armando Galarraga will start for Detroit. He’s 7-2, with 3.03 ERA. Hopefully, the Cardinals can continue right where they left off.
What a Game!
Written by Mike on June 22, 2008 – 9:28 pm -After rolling Dice K in yesterday’s romping of the Red Sox, the Cardinals were going for the sweep today at Fenway. With Joel Pineiro and Jon Lester as the scheduled starters, and Albert Pujols and David Ortiz on the DL, who’d have guessed we were in for such an entertaining game.
The two starting pitchers matched each other frame after frame, shutting out the offenses for five innings a piece, before Brian Barton and Ryan Ludwick each drove in a run for the Cardinals in the sixth. The Sox took the lead in the eighth after a lead-off triple, a sac fly, a base hit, and three walks. Chris Perez was charged with the blown save. I remember feeling bad for Pineiro, and thinking that was the end. Surely, the Cards wouldn’t stand a chance in the ninth against Jonathan Papelbon.
A pinch hitting Chris Duncan drew the first walk of the season issued by Papelbon at home. Then perhaps the most unlikely candidate for heroism, Adam Kennedy, drove in Duncan with a pinch hit double. Game tied!
The relief team of Russ Springer, Kyle McClellan, Jason Isringhausen, and Ron Villone each pitched a scoreless inning despite giving the Red Sox plenty of opportunities for a walk-off win. The ninth through twelfth innings had a desperate, playoff feel. I was on the edge of my seat for each of the bottom halves.
Kevin Youkilis hit a two run homer off of Mike Parisi in the bottom of the thirteenth to win it for Boston. It was his second home run of the day. 5-3 was the final. Here’s the complete box score.
Sure, it would have been much nicer if the Cardinals would have won it, but I enjoyed the loss more than any other loss in recent memory. The game was intense. Very intense. Here we are still a few weeks away from the All-Star break, and an interleague game feels like game seven of the World Series.
This one had everything. From great pitching, too poor pitching. From spectacular defense, to some routine misplays. From small ball to long ball. All day, both managers tried to outwit one another. It had that October excitement throughout.
Up next, the Cardinals head to Detroit to start a three game series with the Tigers. I don’t know what’s in store, but it’s going to be damn near impossible to top this one.
Lohse Quiets Phillies
Written by Mike on June 15, 2008 – 9:30 am -
After taking a severe beating on Friday, the Cardinals bounced back with a win yesterday. Led by starting pitcher Kyle Lohse, they evened the series at one game a piece.
Lohse was brilliant, lasting eight innings on 116 pitches. He allowed only four hits, and limited the damage to just a two-run homer by Pat Burrell in the fourth. On the season, Lohse is now 8-2, with a 3.77 earned run average.
With the performance from their starter, the Cardinals didn’t need much offense. Adam Kennedy’s first home run of the season got the Cards on the board in the first, and Ryan Ludwick added an RBI in the third. He leads the team with 53. The final score was 3-2. Here’s the complete box score.
Game three is later this afternoon. Mitchell Boggs has earned the start for the Cardinals. He’ll be opposed by Brett Myers. The series win is on the line.
Cards Lose In Houston
Written by Mike on June 6, 2008 – 9:24 pm -In one of the more forgettable losses of the year, the Cardinals were able to scatter only four hits against the Astros in game one of the series. Worse is the fact that the four hits came from just two Cardinal batters. Both Skip Schumaker and Adam Kennedy had two singles a piece. Although Albert Pujols returned to the lineup, he managed to strike out twice in an 0 for 4 effort.
Braden Looper took the loss. Although he wasn’t at his best, only two of his five runs allowed were earned, and he labored through six innings to give the bullpen a rest. The final two frames were handled by yet another Cardinal rookie, Mitchell Boggs. He took the roster spot of the demoted Mike Parisi.
Houston won it 6-1. Here’s the full recap and box score.
Off the field, there seems to be some trouble brewing. Both Rick Ankiel and Todd Wellemeyer weren’t with the club tonight in Houston. Instead, they were back in St. Louis having their ailing parts scoped by the doctors. Bernie Miklasz posted this update. Rotoworld is already reporting that Wellemeyer has been placed on the disabled list, which if true, is very bad news for the Cardinals. Matt Clement’s rehab has now taken him to Springfield, where he’ll start Sunday’s game for the AA Cardinals.
Tomorrow, it’s Shawn Chacon and Adam Wainwright in game two. Wainwright, along with some better defense, should be able to contain the Astros while the Cardinal bats come back to life.
Bullpen Better; Offense Not
Written by Mike on May 16, 2008 – 9:10 pm -In the first interleague game of the season, Rays’ starter Andy Sonnanstine kept the Cardinal offense in check, keeping St. Louis off the scoreboard through seven. Tampa held their lead, and won it 3-1. Here’s the box score.
It wasn’t a pretty performance from Braden Looper, but he kept his team in the game. He couldn’t keep the ball down and was getting hit hard. He labored through six innings on 117 pitches, but allowed just 3 runs on 10 hits and a pair of walks, earning him another quality start.
Chris Perez made his Major League debut, pitching a scoreless seventh. He brought the heat, and recorded his first strikeout getting Evan Longoria to swing through a high fastball.
Mike Parisi was also impressive, striking out three in the eighth, and pitching around a lead off double in the ninth. His curveball was solid.
The offense was not. They scattered eight hits (two from Looper) but didn’t get on the board until Chris Duncan’s solo homer in the bottom of the eighth. Skip Schumaker, Rick Ankiel, Albert Pujols, and Adam Kennedy went a combined 0 for 16. Pujols’ streak of reaching base in every game of the season is finally over. Sonnanstine wasn’t afraid to pitch to him, and kept most of the Cardinal hitters off balance.
Don’t look now, but a couple of Redbirds have quietly increased their batting averages. Troy Glaus is now hitting .271, and Molina is up to .300.
After the loss, the Cards are now just four games over .500, and have won only two of their last ten. They’re now three games behind the first place Cubs, and a half game behind the Astros. Adam Wainwright will try to be the stopper tomorrow. Matt Garza will get take the mound for Tampa Bay.
Happy Mother’s Day
Written by Mike on May 11, 2008 – 9:07 am -
To all the moms in Cardinal Nation, Happy Mother’s Day! My mom loves the Cards just as much as I do. I gave her one of my extra tickets to Opening Day this year, and as usual, she was the first one downtown, dressed in Cardinal red with a beer in her hand. Cheers to you, Mom!
The pink bats will be out today. Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel, Cesar Izturis, Adam Kennedy, Jason Larue, Aaron Miles, and Skip Schumaker are all expected to use them in this afternoon’s game against Milwaukee. Braden Looper and Jeff Suppan are scheduled to pitch.
After the win yesterday, the Cardinals are 23-15, with a one game lead on second place Chicago. A win today would keep the them above .500 in road games. Looking ahead, after two more in Milwaukee, the Cards head back home to play three against Pittsburgh before hosting Tampa Bay in their first interleague series. While the Pirates are five games behind the Cardinals, the Rays are a surprising four games over .500, and in second place in the AL East.
Cardinals Get Shutout
Written by Mike on April 20, 2008 – 1:42 pm -
You can’t win if you don’t score, and in yesterday’s game, Giants’ starter Tim Lincecum made sure the Cardinals didn’t score. The 3-0 defeat was the first time this season that the Cards were shutout. They had a few opportunities, but the young Lincecum got big outs when it mattered most. In the fourth, the Cardinals had two on with no outs, with Albert Pujols, Rick Ankiel, and Adam Kennedy due up. Two strikeouts and a ground out later, the Cardinals still had no runs. Pujols saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0 for 3 day. Joel Pineiro showed improvement, but took the loss for St. Louis, his second in two starts. Here’s the full box score.
I don’t think there’s any blame to be placed in yesterday’s loss. Sure, you’d like to see some timely hitting with runners on base, but sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other guy. Lincecum is one of the better pitchers in the league, and there’s no doubt he’d win 18-20 games on a better ball club.
Braden Looper takes the mound for the Cardinals in today’s rubber match. He’s sporting a 3-0 record with a 2.70 ERA. Jonathan Sanchez will pitch for the Giants. The Redbirds haven’t lost a series nearly three weeks into the season, and they hope to keep it that way with a win today. A loss, however, could knock the Birds from first place in the division.
I think a win will be big for the Cardinals. Not only will it keep the streak alive and the Cards on top, but they haven’t lost consecutive games so far this year, and I believe going into Milwaukee tomorrow with some momentum is important.
