Kyle Lohse has three losses

09/19/2012

Astros 1 Cardinals 4

It's September and KLo has three losses.  Only three.

He has been nails since the very beginning of the season-- remember that great Opening Night game versus the Marlins?

He has fifteen wins.   He should have more wins than that, but he has been unlucky this year.

For example, the team lost four times in his last nine starts, but they all were quality starts where he went six or more innings and gave up three or fewer runs.  In two starts he allowed 2 earned runs, one start 1, and one start 0.  His offense has failed him this year-- a pitcher puts numbers up like that and expects wins. 

Cy Young candidate?  I believe so.  It sucks that the low win total could count against him, especially when he should have many more wins.

Til Later

I had a dream, Last Night

 SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG...

Dear 'Birds,

I  had a dream about that one game wild card playoff deal...
Albert was still on the team, so like all dreams it was whack.

What made it even wackier is that we were playing the Cubs--
I don't think that anyone believes they're going to make the playoffs
in the next 5 years. Or 10.

If the Cardinals hold on to their current spot (insert spiel about playing the Dodgers
this week here), I will suffer through the biggest nervous breakdown as they play that
Wild Card game. 

I worry that the team just won't hit. At all.  This team has the best offense in the league, sure,
but we've all suffer through those games where they couldn't even buy a hit.

I also worry that our pitching will fail  us.

I am working on making my faith stronger than my doubt.


Til Later (but a bit earlier than this time)

East Coast Swing

08/27/2012

Cardinals 4 Pirates 3

Dear Cardinals,

A great thing about East coast road trips is the fact that games

start at six o'clock! I hate waiting for things.

You know, August is the longest month of baseball. I can't believe 

we aren't in September yet.  We already have a play-off spot, and it's weird

that we won't be fighting to sneak in this year.  Still plenty to fight for---we need 

to focus this month on playing our best baseball and hope we earn a better play-off spot.

The two wild-card  teams per league will make this September particularly interesting

because so many teams are still in the battle for those spots.

 

Til Later

P.S. Please, can one of ya'll send a homer into the Allegheny River before we leave Pittsburgh?  Much appreciated.

Waino Dominates, The Road Trip, #HighSockSunday

08/21/2012

Astros 0 Cardinals 7

Dear 'birds,

I had meant to post this days ago.  But, things go in the way.
Basically, I got lazy.

But Waino, this was a very impressive start for you.  I know
it was against the lastros and all, but throwing a complete game shutout with twelve strikeouts
is nothing to sniff at, right? (Even if your opponent looks like they'll
struggle against college teams).

Last night was another great start by Waino.  He only allowed 2 runs and the Cardinals
beat the Reds 8-2.

I have to say 'birds, I'm impressed.  I hope
that you continue to win series from here on out, especially
on this road trip because it is a really important one against post season contenders.

Til Later

Recap of  Astros series:
7-0 W, 4-2 W, 13-5 W

Recap of Reds series:
8-5 W*, 2-8 L, 8-2 W

* Lance Lynn went 2 innings, Joe Kelly pitched 3 innings in relief and got the win. This outing came five days after Joe's five and two-thirds (I think, I'm too lazy to check if its true or not) relief outing in that 19 inning game versus the Pirates.  The Cardinals made the decision this weekend to put Lynn in the bullpen and Kelly as a starter, the way my gut felt it should be all long.  (But, of course, after this was made official, for a second I felt sick and thought Lynn should still be the starter because it will possibly be more annoying to watch a reliever come in and not shut down the opposition than to have a starter who struggles through five innings.  However, I believe that Lynn will excel in this role and that Joe will be able to keep the Cardinals in games while pitching deeper into games because he gets outs in far fewer pitches than Lance (thank God).  I hope Lance goes into that bulldog bullpen mode he had last year-- he told the media that he still considers himself a starter. Lance-- please bring the heat and attack hitters out of the pen, don't try to be cute!) 

Let Us Lay the Cardinals Hopes to Rest, Pretty Much

A post for pessimists looking for a silver lining

08/17/2012

Pirates 1 Cardinals 2

08/18/2012

Pirates 4 Cardinals 5

08/19/2012

Pirates 6 Cardinals 3

Final/19

Dear 'birds,

There is nothing to say.  I can't do anything about this.

But I can accept that you all are under-achievers,

find the joy in the small thrills that turn up during games

and ignore the disappointment from suffering the same failure over and over.

I promise to ignore the standings, because they are obviously not going to change, not

with this team being what it is: a team of bad luck, a team of absurdity, a team of missed opportunities. 

I will only watch to appreciate the heart and the effort you 

all have always shown.  I will watch for the love of game.

I will watch for love of the St. Louis Cardinals.  I will watch

because that's what fans do, we stick with our team through world series victories,

late season drives, and those dog days of summer that always leaves things looking 

especially bleak.  I will watch because I remember Albert Pujols' home run that extended the 2005 post 

season, I will watch because I remember those times Jim Edmonds scaled center field walls and snatched home runs, I will watch because I remember a bases loaded 3-2 curve ball, I will watch because I witnessed Jaime Garcia's rookie year, Matt Holliday's bat carrying us to October baseball in 2009, David Freese's 2011 post season, Jon Jay's emergence as a great center fielder, and Yadier Molina becoming a force in the lineup.  I will watch with no expectations, while trying to smother the hope for a post season burning in my chest, because, as Yogi Berra said, "it ain't over til it's over."  

For the optimists: We are not done until we are out, Cardinals, and we are not out.

Que Sera, Sera

08/16/2012

Diamondbacks 2 Cardinals 1

Dear 'birds,

I have officially given up on figuring you guys out:

Whatever will be, will be.

This team is a good team, but I no longer will try

to figure out why it fails to be consistent.

I was thinking about differences between this team and last year's.

Both teams blew a lot of games and lost a fair share of close games, but

last year's teams also FOUGHT and staged amazing comebacks-- and the whole 

country witnessed their best comeback during Game 6. They were resilient, and that resilience

was prevalent throughout the postseason.

This year, the team is inconsistent. Is that inconsistency going to haunt us if we do

make the post season?

Que sera, sera

Well, at least we are in a better position right now than we were last year.  I hate

that the only thing I'm sure about with this team is that we're going to take two steps

back as soon as we take one step forward.  I'm through waiting for this team to take off

the way the numbers and pundits say they should.  I'll just watch for now on.

Que sera, sera

I will be happy if we win the Wild Card, but I really want to win the Division. A one

game play off will be way too stressful.

Que sera, sera

Til Later

We Have Arrived (For Now?)

08/15/2012

Diamondbacks 2 Cardinals 5

Dear 'birds,

We have arrived. We are in a tie with Pittsburgh for the second

wild card spot! And the Pirates are in town this weekend.We

could pull away! Or we could stay true to this year form and inexplicably

lose this upcoming series and fall back into the hole.

Exciting game last night. David ended his 0-fer with a two run shot into LEFT 

field (an oddity, for Dave).  Wainwright is now a game above .500.  I am starting to like the Mujica-Boggs-Motte deal at the end of games.  I hope we can give the ball to them like that more often. I hope that it becomes impossible for teams to score on them here on out.

Chris Carpenter has been back in the dugout recently.  I know

that when it was first announced that he won't be returning this season he had banished 

himself to a corner of  the bullpen... but he's back and smiling, and he's always the first one 

to greet people at the head of the "conga line."  Or "receiving line," as they say on FSMidwest.

Jaime and Joe were chatting away last night.  It's cool that they seem to like each other

since they are close in age and Jaime is the reason Joe will no longer be in the rotation

come Sunday.

I'm hoping this isn't a we have arrived for now. I'm hoping this is finally

WE HAVE ARRIVED TO STAY!

Let's just win every game from here on out...

08/14/2012

Diamondbacks 2 Cardinals 8

 Dear 'birds,

Great start to this home stand. Now

if only I had the faith that you all will keep

this up.

Joe Kelly, you were outstanding last night and its too bad

that you will be the one heading to the 'pen when Jaime 

returns.  By the way, you have pitched loads better than your record suggests.

Random Thoughts

Is Mr. Freese ever going to hit again?

Will Raffy's back hold up and will he start being an offensive spark again?

Has Ryan Jackson played a game at short since being called up? (And why doesn't Matheny

take Raffy out of the game late to help his back and keep Jackson sharp with playing time at short?

I'm sure that's what Tony LaRussa would do--similar to the way that Descalso came in late for David to keep David's knees healthy all last season.)

Jay is doing a great job as our lead-off man.  

My Favorite Guys, The Bullpen

I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen.
Bob Lemon

08/12/2012

Cardinals 7 Phillies 8
F/11

Dear Redbirds,

A lot of things went right for the offense Sunday 

afternoon. We continued our hot-hitting (14 hits!) from Saturday and finally

scored more than four runs.

The problem came when my favorite guys, the bullpen
came into the game and proceeded to do their their favorite thing, which is blow.

I wish Lance freaking Lynn would start going deeper into his starts,
it is getting annoying.  And Jaime better figure out how to go deep
into games when he returns.

Pitching Inconsistency: the bane of the Cardinal's existence, amirite?

Til Later

The Thing Is

08/11/2012

Cardinals 4 Phillies 1

Dear Cards,

The thing is I thought I had written

this post because I had thought it all out in my head.

I guess I was too tired Saturday night to put

the words on paper... or in digital... or whatever 

this is called.

The offense FINALLY rediscovered how to use

their bats.  Ten hits  and  four runs scored.  Three 

run home run by Matty.  

I love that man. Matt Holliday.  He's in the line-up everyday

and he's never not hitting for long.  

It reminds me of  the time last offseason  Matty called in to a St Louis radio show 

(THE PRESS BOX) and told the host that he was incorrect

in saying that he was injury-prone.  That shut down was grand,

but its even better due to the way he has performed this year (exactly like all the other years in his career: as an elite hitter.)

Til Later

Just had to go and Lose

08/10/2012

Cardinals 1 Phillies 3

Dear K-LO,

It is not your fault that the team didn't win last night. You

were outstanding.

To figure out who to lay the lame the blame on, lets

see what last night's box score reveals: hmm...  in one

inning of work a certain Barrett Browning gave up two hits 

and the winning runs.  You, Kyle only gave a run and four hits

over SEVEN innings of work.  We apparently still need better

relief.  Or a manager  to wise up on managing the bullpen.  

The trusty box score also reveals that the offense only had four hits

last night. Two hits in the first EIGHT innings (it was Roy Halladay, so maybe

I should be lenient, but the problem is this non-hitting has been going on for a few

days now) and two hits in the ninth inning (which might mean the bats are waking

up or that Papelbon didn't have his best stuff.)

Win this series, boys!

Til Later.

Split

08/09/2012

Giants 1 Cardinals 3

Dear 'birds,

It's always fun to have a stopper,

you know, that pitcher who thrives 

on the big game, who wills the team to win

in the midst of a losing streak. Or after 

a horrible loss.

Adam Wainwright took the mound today

and pitched the team to victory.  There was no 

trace of last night's defeat hanging over

this team. There was only confidence in their play

and, most of all, confidence in the man on the mound.

We scored three runs today on four hits. We scored no 

runs on four hits last night. We're heading to Philly 

after a successful home stand.  Here's hoping the offense

picks up and here's a wish for a weekend sweep.

Til Later

 

On Punishment

08/09/2012

Giants 15 Cardinals 0

Dear 'birds,

I think it is cruel and unusual punishment to relive last nights game-- to mention any detail of last night's blowout loss here.  So we won't.

OH, wait.  I'll say this:  Is it wrong that I probably would've joined those who booed Tyler Greene,  if I were at the game?  He failed to turn a double play with the bases loaded, letting his pitcher down. It's frustrating when a player always fails in high pressure situations.  He has failed to rise to the occasion too often, and Mozeliak was right to trade him today.  Tyler Greene is a hard worker and by all accounts a great teammate (unlike a certain player we traded last season).  Its hard to see someone who cared and always gave his best leave St. Louis.  I hope that he thrives in Houston.

Til Later

Twoday

08/07/2012

Giants  4 Cardinals 2

Dear 'birds,

Today there are two updates because I was too lazy

to post about Monday's game yesterday. Sorry.

I'll try not to let it happen again. Promise.

Seriously.

Five losses on the year for Lance Lynn. We 

couldn't come back from the three runs he gave

the Giants in the first.  I hate playing a whole game

on the losing side. I wished this team will start fighting

back more often when down early.

The worse part about yesterday's loss is that we failed 

to gain ground on Cincy and Pittsburgh.  But at least we 

gained a game on Cincy on Monday. For some reason,

the Brewers have beaten Cincy the past two games.

The best part about yesterday's game 

was the spectacular  defense. My favorite play 

was Carlos Beltran- Skip Schumaker gunning 

the ball to David Freese, who waited nonchalantly

and tagged out Melky Cabrera as he tried to stretch a double 

into a triple. Denied.

We've won the majority of our games recently,

we just need to keep our focus on winning as many games as we

can. And we need to improve our road record. It's awful.

There is enough time left in the season to pick up a game or two 

(hopefully three) weekly and be there at the end.

Til Later

We like to hit

08/06/2012

Giants 2 Cardinals 8

Dear Cards,

We like to hit and we don't care who

you are. So Matt Cain surrendered five runs

in five and two-thirds innings. Don't feel bad, Cain,

it is just what we do.

FSMidwest compared the Cardenales and Gigantes 

Monday night. They had the exact 

same records, but the Giants only had a plus 19  run differential

and the 'birds had a plus 110 run-differential. 

My question is why are our records the same when we

obviously score many more runs and our pitchers give up

a comparable amount of runs?

Til Later

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

08/05/2012

Brewers 0 Cardinals 3

Dear Redbirds,

I'm back from my week-long excursion! Arrived in Cardinal country late, early Sunday morning (read: 6 AM) and caught my first Cardinals game in seven days that night!

Whoo!  It was great seeing you all take the field in those powder blues!  I followed the games as best I could through mlb mobile app, but there's nothing like seeing the actually pitches hit the strike zone versus seeing the pixel approximation on screen.

Good things about this weekend: A sweep of our 1982 World Series opponent during the 30 year celebration of the 1982 World Series victory and 1982 World Series team. And... this is the first time all season that we've hit 10 games over .500. (Yes, it has been that  much of a struggle.)

Hopefully, there is nowhere to go but up.  Here's to a fight to a finish, a fierce drive to the playoffs.

Til Later

A Strange Game

07/27/2012

Cubs 6 Cardinals 9

Dear 'birds,

This was not the type of start

Lance Lynn will write home about-- he coughed up

all six runs.  And he is the first starter since June

to not go at least six innings. But hey, Lance, 

at least your ERA is still under four.

The Cards took Cubs starter Travis Wood deep today. They knocked 

five home runs out of the park-- one for each of the first 

five innings. Matty hit one in the first, Yadi

in the second,  Puma in the third (right-handed!), Baby Carp

in the fourth, and Craig in the fifth. That's historic. A first

in franchise history.

Another thing: the wind wasn't blowing 

out today at Wrigley. Those balls were just hammered.

(And I'm sure that plenty of Cubs fans were the same

way during the course of the game.)

I love beating up on the Cubs. But mostly

I love winning all the time.

I wonder what kind of winning percentage we can

put up from here to the end of the season?

Til Later.

A quick note about next week

I have today's game post written and set to publish
at 8 AM. I wrote it tonight because I have work
tomorrow during the  dead hours of the morning.

I am leaving town for a week this Sunday and I don't know when
I'll be able to catch a game. (If gameday is inexpensive
I'll order it for the week and hope that the games won't be blacked out
where I'll be.) I will try to update the blog,
however, while I'm gone.

I think. It is a pseudo-vacation. Maybe I should vacation
from everything I normally do.

Til Later. :)

Great Home Stand

07/26/2012

Dodgers 4 Cardinals 7

Dear Redbirds,

Color me impressed.

A 6 and 1 homestand,

and 18 hits last night.

Motte pitched for the second day 

in a row and got a second save. The 'pen

hasn't blown a game during this streak yet.

Or did they screw it up Monday?

I can't remember too many good things

since then.

 

"Happy Flight!" meter: 12/23

Raffy has a habit

07/25/2012

Dodgers 2 Cardinals 3

Final/12

Dear Raffy Furcal (and Friends),

I like your new habit.  

What habit?

The walk-off hit habit.

And what about old man Berkman?

Getting the walk in the 12th inning.

And the Joe Kelly ran the bases because

the Puma is operating with one leg, these days.

Joe Kelly is fast but Puma gave him a new name.

Baby Giraffe.

The general belief of Joe's teammates is that

he  runs fast, but that he isn't so coordinated.

He tripped over second base last night.

Or second base reached up and tripped him.

Some people say that he was hit by a sniper 

when he fell rounding second.

They were joking, of course,

it would not have been a joke if the game

hadn't ended after the 12th.

I like Joe Kelly.

He pitches well, can hit, and can fly.

Wow. Bet he's having the time of his life up here

in the Bigs.

Til Later.

Catching Up

Dear Cardinals,

I have to play catch up today on THREE games. Why? Because I've been lazy. Sorry.

07/22/2012

Cubs 0 Cardinals 7

I am impressed that you guys swept the Cubs. They had been playing good baseball and you all hadn't been, so it left very good vibes. It was the second sweep of the season and first in the NL Central (which, by the way, we need to start playing better in the division, men). The first inning was entertaining with more of those "down the line" doubles from the seventh inning of the previous game.  We outscored the Cubs 23-1 in the series, which I still find hilarious days later. 

07/23/2012

Dodgers 5 Cardinals 3

I figured we were back to the same-old Cardinals after this game. Chad Billingsley hadn't been pitching well, but of course, we go out there and lose.  It was frustrating because it was something I've seen before.  After this game I determined that we weren't going to win a game in this series because this team just didn't want to win.

07/24/2012

Dodgers 2 Cardinals 8

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw, 2011's Triple Crown and Cy Young Award winner, started this game for the Dodgers.  He made the us look silly for four and two-thirds innings, the Dodgers had a 2 run lead that seem insurmountable, but then the we erupted for eight runs over two innings. The sixth inning was strange because the runs piled up quietly and quickly.  Talk about twilight zone. One second the game was tied, some guys reached base, and then somehow six runs touched the plate. Daniel Descalso, the only lefty in the line up, had the first two hits against Kershaw.  Adam Wainwright was batting .071 for the year, (An anomaly because he is a good-hitting pitcher. He has five career home-runs, one of which he hit in his first career at-bat) but he hit a double to bring home the first Cardinal run and a bases loaded walk.

Til Later.

Like a Soundtrack to a July Saturday Night

07/21/2012

Cubs 0 Cardinals 12

Dear Cardinals,

Cardinal's baseball is the soundtrack to my summer. My nights are empty, so empty, on days when the team doesn't play.  I love that there's always a game to keep me company, to occupy those hot idle, afternoon and evening minutes.

Seeing as the Cardinals are a constant  presence in my life, I always check in on the games.  Saturday night, I went to watch Nelly perform at Soldier's memorial for Fair St. Louis. (It was free and so much fun! My sister and I arrived early and got a spot about six rows from the stage. I'm on ear-rest right now, because it was LOUD and I forgot to buy earplugs.)  Before Nelly took the stage, I called my dad to see what was going on at the game.  (I don't have internet on my phone, people!)  He says, "It's nothing-nothing. Sixth inning."  I hang up the phone thinking, oh, it's going to be one of those nights, isn't?

While on the Metrolink after a spectacular show, I called my dad to check up on the game. Nelly had mentioned that the Cardinals had won but he didn't say the score. Here's the transcript:

ME: Hey dad, what did the Cardinals do?

DAD: They won, 12 nothing.

ME: THEY SCORED TWELVE RUNS! How did that happen? How did they do that, it was nothing-nothing in the sixth!

DAD: Yup, they scored twelve runs in the seventh inning.

ME: They scored twelve runs in the seventh! IN ONE INNING!

I watched the replay of the game.  The bottom half of the seventh went on for ages.  When dad saw me watching the game he says, "I feel asleep three times and every time I woke up it was still the seventh inning."

Many amazing things happen in that inning.  Many record setting things happened in that inning. They tied a record for the most doubles in one inning with seven.  They had eight extra base hits, thanks to a Skip Schumaker triple.  They tied the franchise record set in 1926 for most runs in a inning. 

However, the craziest thing to me about that inning is the fact that EIGHT of the twelve runs scored after there were two outs.  Insane.

Til Later.

What does this team need?

07/20/2012

Cubs 1 Cardinals 4

Dear Cards,

WHAT DOES THIS TEAM NEED!?!

Last month we needed starting pitching. Now they are doing well.

And do we really need a starter with Jaime Garcia coming back sometime in August (is this still the case with him on the 60 day DL)?  When he comes back, hopefully he'll be strong enough to pitch well and deep into games, and we can move either Joe Kelly or Lance Lynn into the bullpen which would be a huge help.

But how much longer will Waino be able to pitch?  The Nationals are setting down Stephen Strasburg once he reaches the inning limit the doctor put on his surgically repaired arm.  (Though, now the Nationals are saying if they have a chance at the Series, he will still pitch).

If the Cardinals make the playoffs, will they be able to count on Adam Wainwright to be the workhorse Chris Carpenter was last season?

We need better relievers.  We need the offense to shake this funk they're in.  Last night was the first time since July 8 that the team has scored more than three runs.

I say this all the time, but sometime very soon everything will actually click and this team will roll along winning games like the machine they should be, right?

It will be so awesome if they emulated the 2002 Oakland A's and go on a 20 game win-streak.  I'll love to see that, especially through August, which has typically been the worse months of Cardinals baseball these last few years.

Til Later.

Worse Road Trip Ever

07/17/2012

Cardinals 2 Brewers 3

07/18/2012

Cardinals 3 Brewers 4

Dear Cardinals,

How long can this team continue playing below their level without it affecting the belief the team holds that they are good enough?

I mean, I still think this team is good-- I think this team is great.  How much longer will  this team have to play like this to convince me that this is truly the team they are-- mediocre?  Is the team convinced they can't be any better?  Is that why they're playing horribly?

Out starting pitching was outstanding this road trip, hitting was awful.  We only won one game. Out of six.

Whats worse, is that the Cubs are in town tonight and they are playing well.  They are probably still leading the fecal league standings, but they're winning, at least.  I hope we win this weekend.

I hope that this is the last week/ month of mediocre baseball.

Unhappy flight to the Lou.

Til Later.

"Happy Flight!"  meter: 11/22

Another Late Inning Comeback!

07/16/2012

Cardinals 3 Brewers 2

Dear 'birds,

I don't know how far behind the Cardinals the Brewers are, but I am dubbing this series "battle to stay in third place" all the same.

The Cardinals battled last night. It was fun watching the ninth inning comeback-- 3 runs! Matt Holliday hit the game-tying single that, of course, did nothing to shut up his haters.

Til Later

Swept out of Cincinnati

07/15/2012

Cardinals 2 Reds 4

Dear Redbirds,

I don't think I'm ever going to learn how to spell Cincinnati without looking up whether its spelled with two t's or two n's.

Another showdown for second place, except this time we couldn't  even win one game. It's frustrating how often this team chooses not to rise for the occasion.

This weekend was also frustrating because the pitching was pretty good.  Apparently the Reds pitching was even better, because it stymied our offense.  Of course,  mayber the offense is just going through some downtime.  I hate when that happens.

Lousy Flight from Cincy to Milwaukee.

Til Later.

"Happy Flight!"meter: 11/21

Obligatory Post...

05/14/2012

Cardinals 2 Reds 3

Final/10

Dear Cardinals,

The most frustrating part about all this is that we are a good team. It sucks losing like this all the time.  The bullpen needs to be fixed. It is dragging me down. 

Victor Marte shouldn't be trusted in close games anymore. Neither should any of our other relievers, actually.

Til Later.

Quick game summary

07/13/2012

Cardinals 3 Reds 5

Dear Redbirds,

It was more of the same. I guess this team is never going to be any better than it is.

What a inning!

07/08/2012

Marlins 4 Cardinals 5

Dear Redbirds,

The end of the first half was amazing.  I feel as though the comeback victory built team chemistry and general excitement for the second half.

I loved that team that came to bat in the bottom of the ninth-- that team refused to lose.  And they didn't.  I loved the way that you all worked the count-- Daniel Descalso's at-bat was particularly impressive, mostly because it was Daniel Descalso up there fouling off pitches. (Okay, that isn't fair.  He isn't on the same field as Tyler Greene, who would've just struck out in that situations.  Descalso is one of those tough-minded, young Cardinals who play ball and play it hard and play it right.)

Raffy's single plated the tying run and winning runs, he really needed that hit. I had fun watching him celebrate it.

David Freese avoided the tag by the Marlins catcher and scored the winning run.  I tell you, that guy always seems to be involved in all the exciting plays.

Til Later

2012 All-Star Game: NL Stands Giant, Breaks Out Special Can of Whoop A**

07/10/2012

NL 8 AL 0

National League Wins for the Third Straight Year

Yes, the All Star game was over by the first inning.  No, this did not upset me, I thoroughly enjoyed the rout.  It was a great way for Chipper Jones to end his career.  I enjoyed watching Tony La Russa go out on top.  Again.

La Russa had some curious in game moves. Two of the moves had Cubs fans shouting: Conspiracy!  The first move? David Freese played first base last night.  As we all know, the man is a third baseman.  The Cubs' Brian LaHair was second first baseman on the roster, he entered the game after Joey Votto and David Freese had their turn at first.  The second move Cubs fans jeered was the fact that Rafael Furcal was the only All-Star to play seven innings.  They wanted to see their young phenom shortstop Starlin Castro.  I'm sure La Russa was just remembering those times Cardinals players reached base due to a Starlin Castro error.  (I was).  Luckily, it wasn't a close game, so I felt safe with him at short.

Rafael Furcal had fun last night in his first All-Star start. According to the St Louis Post-Dispatch, he was thrilled play seven innings and to be the player La Russa chose to reenter the game as the "emergency replacement fielder."  He also hit one of a record three triples for the NL.

I wonder if SF Giants fans are upset-- their team drove in five runs last night!  Melky Cabrera had a RBI single and two run homer.  Kung Fu Panda, the alias of  Pablo Sandoval, hit a bases loaded triple.  Perhaps the Giants problem is that they don't have enough people getting on base so these guys can drive in a lot of runs nightly.  That or the offense relaxes because they know their pitching will only allow about three runs.   Giant pitcher Matt Cain started the game,  tossing two innings  and setting the tone for shut out baseball.

The NL may have a losing winning percentage in interleague play, but the league has won  four of the last six world series (Cardinals in 2006, Phillies in 2008, Giants in 2010, Cardinals in 2011-- hey two Cardinals victories!) and the last three All-Star Games. 

Meanwhile after last night, the question on everyone's mind is whether Ron Washington will ever beat the NL when it counts. He is 0-2 in All-Star game appearances and 0-2 in World Series appearances.

Til Later!

We Won!

07/07/2012

Marlins 2 Cardinals 3

Dear 'birds,

Today's topic of conversation: Lohse is boss. The End.

Til Later!

This team: URGGGH

07/06/2012

Marlins 3 Cardinals 2

Dear Redbirds,

I didn't see the game last night because I was  at the Arch grounds enjoying Third Eye Blind at Fair St. Louis.

But, seriously? THREE errors. You all deserved to lose.

You do know that we are third in the division, only two* games (I think) ahead of the lousy Brew Crew?

Seriously, you all need to start playing the way that you are capable of.

Til Later.

*4.5, but still. Start winning.

Matt Holliday is now an All-Star

07/05/2012

Rockies 2 Cardinals 6

Quick notes before I head out to Fair St. Louis:

 

Turns out that Yadier Molina won't be attending the All-Star game, so Matt Holliday was named in his place.  

Last night, something amazing happen-- this team beat a team it was supposed to beat.  

I am so happy we didn't split this series.

Meanwhile, the Marlins are in town today and my only question is if we ever play anyone else from the NL East.  

If you count Spring Training, we've probably played the Marlins the most.

Til Later

Game 83 Takes Place Today!

07/03/2012

Rockies 3 Cardinals 2

07/04/2012

Rockies 1 Cardinals 4

Dear Mr. Freese,

Congratulations on becoming an All-Star! You're welcome.  I voted for you countless times;  you should thank me, because my votes made all the difference, of course.

All right, all right. Joking aside, you deserve this honor.  I'm glad you were the top vote getter in the Final Vote.  There is a small part of me that is upset because this means you won't truly get a break before the second half of the season, but I hope that you enjoy the experience!

Later!

It was one of those "I'll believe when I see it" situations

07/02/2012

Rockies 3 Cardinals 9

Dear Chris Carpenter,

I hate to hear that you are undergoing surgery.  Honestly, though, I never did expect you back this year (I hoped you'll be back), so the news isn't as heartbreaking as it should be.

Not that I'm not disappointed.

You are Chris Carpenter.  I am going to miss the fierceness and competitiveness you show on the mound.  I love that. I hope you stick around and guide this team, and cheer them on.  They need you.  Without your speech last year at the end of August, the guys would not have been focused. You gave them a purpose. You motivated the team, you knew the words to say.  Let's not embarrass ourselves, you said, let's not embarrass the fans who believe in us and support us. That was something the team could handle: playing good baseball.  You didn't dwell on the fact that the team weren't mathematically eliminated and yet seemed far out of the pennant; you gave them another focus, instead-- winning ballgames one by one.

The good thing about knowing that you aren't going to be back is that we can now look for pitching help. It'll be interesting to see how Mozeliak goes about it-- will he get a starter and move Lance Lynn to the 'pen. (Joe Kelly will probably go to the 'pen when Jaime Garcia returns.) Or will he get a reliever?

Some words on last night's game:

Allen Craig. Kyle Lohse. That is all.

One more thing:  Allen Craig has great numbers and he has been on the DL a lot this year. Man can hit.

And another: Kyle Lohse has pitched very well this year.

'Til Later.

I'm Back! ( I was off sulking)

06/29/2012

Pirates 14 Cardinals 5

06/30/2012

Pirates 7 Cardinals 3

07/01/2012

Pirates 4 Cardinals 5

Hola Cardenales!

It's me, Kate.  I'm sorry I didn't write for three days. 

I was just sulking.

This team is so confusing.  I hate how you all play with my emotions. Cue Big Worm from Friday:

I thought that this was going to be the home stand that showed everybody that we are a force to be reckon with in the Central.  

I thought we would take over second place and gun for first after the All Star Break next week.

I thought that team I saw in April had came back and was going to stay for the rest of the year.

But I finally understand that this team's Main Objective is inconsistency.

And I know to live by my old motto: Hope for the best, expect the worse. 

Later.

Baby, it's hot outside.

06/27/2012

Cardinals 3 Marlins 5

Dear Cards,

We lost the last game of the road trip, but it still feels as though this team is trending upwards. This is a good thing since the Pirates are in town today, and they are currently a half game ahead of the Cardinals.

This is a big weekend, boys. We can move into second place! 

I loved the team that played the last six games of this road trip-- I never felt as if the team had given up or was truly out of game.

Perhaps I should amend that statement: I love the team, hate the BLOWpen for messing up the team's winning swagger.

'Til Later

"Happy Flight!" meter: 11/20

Thrown into the 'ssippi: The 'pen

Turning into a good road trip

06/26/2012

Cardinals 5 Marlins 2

 

Dear Redbirds,

 

Is it wrong that I'm shocked that Motte didn't blow the game yesterday?

 

You can berate me for my little faith.

With yesterday's win, we've won two series in a row, I hope we can keep this up!

'Til Later!

Strange Happenings and Comeback Victories!

06/25/2012

Cardinals 8 Marlins 7

Dear Redbirds,

Even though we were down 6-2 heading to the ninth inning, I knew that we were going to tie the game up.  It just did not feel like a loss, the same way that Game 6 of the World Series never felt like a loss.

 

I went ballistic when Yadi's game tying two-run homer cleared the left-field fence.  I did full party dance and jungle-girl yell. 

A few words about Irony: the Double-Switch Mishap 

What was supposed to happen:

Freese (batting 7th, playing fifth position, i.e. third base) leaves the game, and pitcher Victor Marte takes his spot in the batting order.  Meanwhile, Daniel Descalso moves from second base (4th position) to third base.

What actually did happen:

Communication Issues

Everything occurred as it should, except for the small fact that the home plate umpire, Bob Davidson, penciled Victor Marte into fifth spot on the batting order, not the seventh as Mike intended. This meant that the player batting fifth, Allen Craig should be out the game and not playing first.   Ozzie Guillen alerted umpire.  When the dust settled-- and Bob Davidson had admitted that the mishap was his fault to Guillen--  Craig still had to leave the game and Tony Cruz entered the game to play first (and bat seventh).  Of course, Mike Matheny stated in his post game conference that it was his fault because he guessed somehow the number five came up in the conversation.  All I have to say, is that the man must be super clear next time and stick to numbers when talking about the line up and position names when talking about fielding positions.

Fox Sports Midwest was on the audio, last night.  They have a clear recording of umpire Balkin' Bob Davidson telling Ozzie, "He told me seven, I [expletive] it up." Great thing they caught that, because Cardinal nation would be going crazy on Mike Matheny right now, even with the win.

Ozzie Guillen was beyond happy to get Allen Craig's bat out of the line up last night. I don't blame him:  the game was possibly headed to extras, Allen Craig has pop in his bat, and the Cardinals were out of position players. 

How ironic that the fifth spot Allen Craig vacated would bat in the next inning with the bases loaded.  How funny that  rookie pitcher Joe Kelly managed to get his first MLB hit and RBI on an infield hit to the shortstop.  Joe Kelly is fast.  That was a sweet hit, I'll love to have a moment like that as my first hit in The Show. 

But the funniest thing about the whole deal is the fact that Joe Kelly's hit was the game winner.

Til Later!

Payback is fun

06/24/2012

Cardinals 11 Royals 8

Hey Royals,

Payback is a [expletive], ain't it?  Yeah, ya'll came to the Lou last weekend and took two of three from us, but we sure did a number on you this weekend in KC, didn't we?  We put that good beating on you--outscoring you 30 to 14.  Ouch.

Honestly you got lucky because  those eight runs you all scored yesterday made the point spread look better for you.

Dearest Redbirds,

This weekend was so much fun.  I'll admit that I was worried a bit yesterday. You followed part of the old baseball adage "score early and often," by taking a 5-2 lead in the second inning, and then you just sat around and let the Royals tied the game before you decided to score often.

You scored in five of nine innings, yesterday, which makes me happy.  Three of those five innings were crooked numbers which makes me even happier!

'Til Later, men.

"Happy Flight!" meter: 11/19

One Thing...

06/23/2012

Cardinals 8 Royals 2

Dear Redbirds,

Two wins in a row. Wow!  I wouldn't mind if you guys keep this up.

I love winning. I especially love winning big.

Til Later.

Welcome Back, Cardinals!

06/22/2012

Cardinals 11 Royals 4

Dear Jon Jay and Matt Carpenter,

So glad to see you two back! 

My dad claims the reason the Cardinals scored 10 runs in the first two innings last night was due to the "power" of Jon Jay.  He believes Jon Jay is the "X-factor," and that the team wins more with him in it.  I think I heard some stats that actually supports, but I  can't be bothered to look them up right now.

Til Later!

I wish...

06/21/2012

Cardinals 1 Tigers 2

Final/10

Dear Cardinals,

This is my wish:

• I wish we hadn't lost on a bases loaded single that happened after a bloop hit and hit batsman.
• I wish that we were winning more especially since our starters are pitching well.
• I wish that Mike Matheny would keep Carlos Beltran in the three-hole.
• I wish we could win one run games.
• I wish we could win in extra innings.
• I wish that we stop making silly mental lapses.
• I wish that we had fewer injuries, and I hope that when injured players return the team actually plays at the level its capable of  and doesn't go through anything flukey.

And finally, it is just a game, so I hope that you all remember that and have fun regardless of what individual or team numbers look like, because this team plays best loose.

Til Later

"Happy Flight!" meter: 10/18

I'm in a State of Shock

06/20/2012

Cardinals 3 Tigers 1

Dear Westbrook,

Your performance last night has left me in shock.  Color me impressed and surprised-- I really didn't see you throwing a complete game against the Tigers!  Plus, the run that crossed the plate was unearned.  I bet your ERA is in better shape now. 

*Off to search for statistical proof*

I'm back. You had 4.27 ERA and a 5-6 record going into last night, after last night your ERA 3.83 and your record is at .500!  Plus, you got a hug from Yadi.  (That's a win in any girl's book.)

Til Later!

Longest Day of the Year!

06/19/2012

Cardinals 3 Tigers 6

Dear Cardinals,

Back to .500. Yea!  Not really, considering we were a game over .500.

I guess I should be impressed this team managed to score against Verlander. It's almost like a victory.

I wonder if this season will EVER turn around and if it does, when will it?

Meanwhile, lets not talk about Baseball:

Today is the first day of summer! That means that this is longest day of sunlight we will have all year! I love sunlight and I love summer.

One of the first things I do when I wake up in the morning these days is open my curtains.  When I do, I am greeted by a line from Shakespeare's Sonnet 18:  Summer's lease hath all too short a date.

I taped it to my window to remind myself to squeeze the most living I can out of my favorite season, and to remind myself to observe the beauty of God's creation in all its summer splendor.

Til Later

Another Extra Inning Loss

06/17/2012

Royals 5 Cardinals 3

Final/15

Dear Cardinals,

There's nothing to say that except we were outplayed. Again.  And Jason Motte blew another save, leading to the longest game of this year.

It felt like the game time for this game was longer than that one 20 inning game vs the Mets, but apparently that game was nearly seven hours long while this one was five.  We also loss that game but it was actually interesting watching teams fail to score for 18 consecutive innings.

What sucks is that I knew Jason Motte was going to get two outs and then give up a home run. Gut feeling.  

When are things going to start going our way again?

Til Later

"Happy Flight!" meter: 10/17

We end the week 3-3.

06/16/2012

Royals 7 Cardinals 10

Dear Redbirds,

Hey! We played .500 for this week.

I wonder how it will feel if we played above .500 next week. (Hint, Hint).

This was an odd game because we had a big lead early and the pitching gave it up (maybe that isn't so odd), and then we fought back and regained the lead (which I'll like to see more of this year.)

It was a fun game.

Love ya'll.

Til Later.

2/5 for the week

06/15/2012

Royals 3 Cardinals 2

Dear 'birds,

Yes, this is late. Today's game has already been played.  

This post is late because I worked today and I was too tired to write it last night.

I have to say... last night was an exciting loss.  Its always weird for me when I enjoy a loss.  This one left me smiling because of Tyler Greene's mad dash home after he stole second and took third on a errant throw.

We came thisclose to tying the ballgame on that play.  It was the last out, but it left me smiling because of the adrenaline and hope and possibility and-- could it be!-- that occurred in the moment Tyler Greene took a chance.

Til Later.

A.C. cranks up, Freese comes through 2/4

06/14/2012

White Sox 3 Cardinals 5

Dear Redbirds,

We are .500 for the week! Yes!

I love those times when...

• Allen Craig (that is A.C.) gets a  hit and David Freese comes through and picks up an RBI. Tonight this happened twice.
• Starters have quality starts.  Westbrook pitch well tonight.  It was a little upsetting that his stuff went to crap in the  sixth inning with only 67 pitches thrown, but he did throw six complete innings and allowed 3 runs-- which is the definition of  "quality start." It's just if a starter has 67 pitches through six innings, one would expect him to still be throwing well and going deeper into ball games. Luckily...
• The bullpen comes through and allowed no runs.
• I am not hyperventilating because the opposition has the bases loaded with no outs in the ninth inning of a close game, because the closer throws only 7 pitches and retires the first three batters in the ninth inning.
• The game ends before 10 pm, because I have to be at work at six  in the morning the next day and I can write this post before I head to bed.

Good night... but since I'm setting this to post in the morning... good morning!

Love ya'll.

Til Later

Yea! 1 for 3

 06/03/2012

White Sox 0 Cardinals 1

Dear 'birds,

Great win last night! You know, I always enjoy good pitching (if we're on the inning side of it-- Santana's no-hitter a few weeks ago was painful). 

Lance Lynn-- Dude, you were amazing when you pitched around that lead off triple in the fifth inning, reaching down and firing your power pitches to strike out the side.  You currently are tied for the lead in wins... it's funny how no one saw this coming.  From what I've gathered, you were a control pitcher who had high strikeout totals in the minors, and then this past year you discovered that you could throw your fastball pretty hard, morphing from Lance Lynn the The Lance Lynn.  Very curious.

Jason Motte-- Loved your reaction when you got that double play to end the game. Priceless!

Carlos Beltran-- I read you were hurting last night, but you still managed to score the only run of the game, and you had three of the Cardinals four hits (Freese had one).

Love you all.

Til Later.

PS. I went to the zoo today and saw quite a few Chicago White Sox fans enjoying the animals.

Keeping the Faith. 0/2 for the week

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe, It is not enough that a thing be possible for it to be believed. 

Voltaire

You have to understand that life and baseball is littered with all kinds of obstacles and problems along the way. You have to learn how to overcome them to be successful in life.

Dave Winfield

06/12/2012

White Sox 6 Cardinals 1

Dear 'birds,

I can't get over how poorly you all have been playing. I can't get over how little you all have been winning.

What is going on!?

After a botched double play last night lead to the Sox scoring the first two runs of the game, Mike Shannon said this: If you play the game properly, good things will happen to you.

So true.

Love ya still, but know  that you're officially an embarrassment.

Til Later

0/1 in wins thus far this week

06/10/2012

Indians 4 Cardinals 1

Dear Cardinals,

Maybe I'm faithless.  Maybe I'm pessimistic. Or maybe I'm a realist.

But what I know I am right.  I was correct in assuming that some point while playing the Indians, the guy we kept over Indians closer and former Cardinal Chris Perez, current Cardinals closer Jason Motte, would give up runs and lead to us losing the game.  I knew that Chris Perez would come in and shut down the Cardinals.

Motte gave up 3 runs in the top of the ninth, and Perez shut the door in the bottom of the ninth.

I hate being right sometimes, but it's good to know that my intuition is sharp.  

Perhaps the worse part about Sunday's loss is the fact that we had the bases loaded in the eighth and failed to score.

This team is not good at comebacks like last year's was all year.

Love.

Til Later.

They're Still Dead

06/09/2012

Indians 0 Cardinals 2

Dear Redbirds,

You all are still dead.  Flat lining.  Doctors are trying to recover your pulse and all that jazz.

Just to clarify: You aren't dead to me because I'm a masochist. You're just obviously done for the season, understood?

Now tell me why this can't happen more than once in a blue moon:

• A starter pitches 7 and 2/3 innings (GO KLo!), and we only use two relievers.  Why can't this happen every night?  Or at least most days a week?  Why can't our starters throw at least 7 innings each time they pitch? Why do I keep asking these questions? 

This is why you're dead, 'birds:

• If the season ended today, you wouldn't even be one of the two wildcards, losers.

I love ya'll.  Really I do. All I have to do is turn on my television and you provide free (well, that's debatable-- costs me my sanity) entertainment. 

On guarding the heart and distancing yourself from the team whilst waiting 'for the other shoe to drop':
Sometimes I lose sight that that's all this is-- entertainment.  I do like being entertained.  I like giving my heart to a team, even knowing that it'll probably be broken a dozen (or a hundred dozen) times over the course of the season.  The price of deep love is the severe pain you feel when you're disappointed, and the reward is the indescribable thrill you feel when all your hopes and dreams are realized.

This makes me think of how apathetic certain fan bases are when teams that have been bad for a few seasons begin a season well-- they don't want to get caught up again because they don't want to wind up with the broken heart when or if 'the other shoe falls.'

 Til Later

I was going to watch the Belmont Stakes

06/08/2012

Indians 6 Cardinals 2

Dear Cards,

I'll get to last night's game, but first:

I have been looking anxiously awaiting the arrival of  this Saturday ever since I'll Have Another won the Preakness.  Unfortunately, I'll Have Another is injured which basically means that I won't be watching the Belmont.  I won't lie.  I was only going to watch because of the Triple Crown aspect of the event in the first place.

I can't imagine how disappointing it is for everyone involved with I'll Have Another.  His jockey was an unknown named Mario Gutierrez, do you know what winning the Triple Crown would have done to his life?  He'll still have plenty of offers and opportunities, but it'll have been something for him to put  "Triple Crown Winner" next to his name.  Mario Gutierrez has been great through this whole ordeal, nothing but class since crossing the finish line at the Kentucky Derby to yesterday when he praised, expressed gratitude, and showed concern for I'll Have Another.  I wish him the best.  

Mario Gutierrez will ride the (very gorgeous) chestnut today. They will lead the post parade (and then sit out the race, obviously).

And I wish I'll Have Another the best in horse retirement.  It was a thrill watching you race. 

Back to our regularly scheduled Cards' nervous breakdown:

• Jaime Garcia is the most recent Cardinal to bite the dust, so may he rest in peace.

He joins a whole host of Cardinals on the DL. We could field a pretty good team with all the guys on that list: Berkman, Carp, Jaime, Skip, Baby Carp, Jon Jay, Kmac...

Joe Kelly, Memphis' best starter, will pitch tomorrow.  I said this before, but I really mean it now: we have culled Memphis of it's talent. (Well, Shelby and Ryan Jackson are still down there, though).

• Speaking of laying people to rest, should we now declare the Cardinals dead? 

 It's only June, I know. They aren't mathematically out of it, I know.  Shoot, I was here all last season, I witnessed the Zombie Cardinals (that should be a tee shirt! On the Front: I witnessed the Zombie Cardinals, subtitled 2011 World Series Champions. And the back of the shirt can list all the times we were sure they were "dead").  So this team may look down enough to declare officially dead, but as last year showed, don't count on it (I hope).  

Anyway, I'm declaring them officially dead until further notice.

Til Later.

Just Like Old Times

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True.  And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.

George Will

06/08/2012

Cardinals 14 Astros 2

Dear Redbirds,

Happy Flight to the Lou!

Last night's game was great-- wonderful pitching from the starter and the 'pen, and a lot of offense!  I remember back in April when ya'll used to play this game that way all the time. Can we go back to that style of play permanently, please?

You don't have to outscore your opponents by 12 runs every night... or maybe you should, considering that when we score 5 runs-- which should be enough to win most games-- a pitcher always finds some way to mess it up.  Perhaps I should address the pitchers instead: STOP CAUSING US TO LOSE BALLGAMES!!  Starters-- go deeper into games so our bullpen stops be overworked and overexposed.  Thanks.

I'm excited for tonight's game against the Indians.  I hope last night was indication that we are going to start winning more.

Hey, let's do the "impossible" and win another game this week!

Til Later.

"Happy Flight!" meter: 10/16

PS. What is up with all the strikeouts that happened this road trip?

We've reached this week's win quota

06/06/2012

Cardinals 4 Astros 3

Dear Cardinals,

We've been winning like 2 or 3 games a week.  So prove me wrong and win more than two games this week. Okay?

Love ya'll.

Til Later

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

06/05/2012

Cardinals 8 Astros 9

Dear Cardinals,

We are going to make this really easy today.  Let's get started.

The Good

We scored eight runs...

The Bad

It wasn't enough...

The Ugly

Because we allowed nine.

Hey, at least we rallied.

Til Later