McCovey Cove

05/16/2012

Cardinals 4 Giants 1

Dear 'birds,

Game time temperature in the ballpark by the bay was in the 50s, but Mr. Freese's bat shook it's thaw and delivered three hits, including the game winning RBI.

Interesting David Freese home/road issue:

At home (15 games): .196 average/ .646 OPS/ 2 homers/ 10 RBI. And on the road (20 games): .346 average/ 1.021 OPS/ 6 homers/ 18 RBI.

The pitching last night was spectacular.  It was fun watching the young lefty starters (Jaime Garcia and San Francisco's  Madison Baumgartner) showcase their skills.  I am glad the Cardinal batters were able to break through, because it was definitely a clinic in pitching last night.

I know that the Giants have outstanding pitching, but has anyone ever wonder if their pitching is so good because the ballpark is so cold?  Maybe that's why their offense is so bad.  Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad if they didn't play in frigid temperatures half the time.

I guess I should look up some home/road splits for the Gigantes:

This season, Giants hitters, at home (18 games): .256 average/6 homers/52 runs scored. And on the road(19 games): .260/19 homers /82 runs scored .  No major difference in average, but a considerable difference in power, though.

This season, Giants pitchers, at home (18 games): 2.37 ERA/8 homers/51 runs against, 44 earned runs. And on the road (19 games): 4.32/15 homers/91 runs against, 78 earned runs. So, much worse on the road than at home. Oh, the benefits of playing 81 games in a pitcher's ballpark! Although, looking at other years, Giants pitchers were pretty much spectacular regardless of the setting.

'Til Later!

Bullpen tries to hand Arizona a victory

05/07/2012

Cardinals 9 Diamondbacks 6

'Birds--

I just want to vent:

Lance Lynn left the game after the fifth inning last night.  He was up 7-0 and I guess Mike Matheny thought he'll get his 6th victory in 6 tries.  I didn't have faith that the bullpen would be able to hold a lead for four innings.

JC Romero attempted to prove me correct in the sixth inning.

I watched in horror as JC Romero did not record an out in the sixth inning.  He faced FIVE batters. His ERA for the game is infinity. Infinite.  When Mike Matheny finally pulled him from the game, the Cardinals only led by three runs.  For some inexplicable reason,  Matheny then handed the ball off to the Cardinals' second worse reliever, Fernando Salas (trying to build confidence?).  He gave up 3 hits, but also recorded 3 strikeouts.  The Cardinals escaped the innning with a one run lead.

This loss would have been on Matheny and it would have been a painful no decision for Lance Lynn. Fortunately, Allen Craig and David Freese went back-to-back to (deep) center field in the seventh inning and the Cardinals won by three.

Crazy Power:

The first five batters had solo home runs. The five homers in one game were the most by a NL club this year, and the most home runs by the Cardinals in a single game since 2007.

'Til Later!

The first W

05/01/2012

Pirates 7 Cardinals 10

Dear Cards,

Congratulations for scoring your first runs while Wainwright's on the mound!  It only took a whole month!

Allen Craig-- welcome back.  You're like a shot in the arm.

David Freese-- you strike out a lot, but somehow you always come through at the best times.

Yadi Molina-- I really think you have some invisible shield you put on when on the bases. Two stolen bases last night and you're second on the team in stolen bases. 

Matty-- great game yesterday.  I hope this is the start of your average trending upward. Oh, and can you take your friend Carlos Beltran along, too?  He is starting to tailspin (of course, I think it's because he hits best in the two-hole, but no one else thinks this argument has any weight.)

Adam Wainwright-- congratulations on your first "W" since 2010!

Fernando Salas-- please get your stuff together because it is getting ugly.  Last night you came into a 10-4 game and proceeded to make it a proper ball game instead of keeping it a laugher.  I like laughers (clarification: when the Cardinals are winning).  I do not like two hits and two walks in a one inning relief appearance. Confounding.  It was even more confounding how Matheny left you in after it was obvious you weren't going to get any more than two outs.

'Til Later!

Tossed into the 'ssippi:  Fernando Salas

Pssh. This will never get old. Never.

04/28/2012

Brewers 3 Cardinals 7

Dear 'birds,

You've won the series!  Yeah!

After the game, some fool poster on Cards Talk started the following topic "So do you still hate the Reds and Brewers as much?"

Uh. Yes. 

The poster explains his case by saying that the games no longer have that  "I just can't stand these guys feeling."  Well, I can't stand them and whipping these teams will never get old.  I can't stand them because those teams are our biggest competition for the division title.  I want to demolish them.  If it were possible, I would like them mathematically eliminated by mid-summer. Completely out of it.

As it is, once the Brewers and Reds get their stuff together (if they do get it together), I want it extremely obvious that the Cardinals are the team to beat in the Central.  Like, I want the Cardinals to finish at least 10 games ahead of everyone else.

Coming into the season, it looked as though the division would be a three team race.  Right now the Cardinals are the team to beat in the division.  But the division isn't won in April, there is plenty of time and chances are the race will get interesting.  I just hope it doesn't. At the end of the season, I want people to look back and laugh at the fact that those teams were ever consider on par with my Cardinals. 

We just have to stay healthy and focused.

***

Yadier, I believe you are slowly buying every piece of my heart.  You are amazing.  Four for four with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  People are starting to realize that your bat is pretty legit.  You're so dependable at the plate and behind it. 

Matty, it sucks that you go hitless the day after you went 3 for 3.  Really, I think you're hitting into some tough luck.  

David, happy birthday!   One more year to the big 3-0. 

Meanwhile, my birthday was Sunday, Carlos Beltran's was Tuesday, Chris Carpenter's was Friday, and David Freese's was Saturday.  A few words: Tauruses are the bestest!

Oh yeah, about the game--Kyle Lohse, what were you doing walking in the tying run!?  The inning could have morphed into one of  your (frustrating) "big blow up" innings, but we avoided that when the Brewer's manager screwed up and let his pitcher bat with two outs and the bases loaded.  Although, the man really didn't have much of a choice-- his bullpen was shot from the seven innings of work it had Friday.

We have possibly screwed up Milwaukee's bullpen for an entire week. HAHAHA.  Whew.  Man, I hope we knock around Greinke tomorrow and increase the damage. (Evil cackle.)

'Til Later

Baby Birds are Making Noise, Causing a Ruckus

There are three types of ballplayers: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens. -Roy Campanella

04/15/2012

Cubs 3 Cardinals 10

Dear Baby Birds (previous members of the Memphis Mafia), 

You are awesome! You make it happen.  Last year, Jon Jay wound up playing in 159 games-- the most of any Cardinal.  When David was injured, Daniel Descalso played third base so well that he was a gold glove nominee.  Allen Craig and David Freese became a large part of the post season offense.  Lance Lynn excelled in his playoff bullpen role and has been an awesome starter so far this year.

On Sunday, Matt Carpenter had possibly the greatest day of his professional career-- he went 4 for 4 with five RBIs, a triple and a home run.   I say he was a pretty good sub for his childhood hero, Lance Berkman.

It came to Cardinals Nation's attention that Matt Carpenter will need a nickname-- simply because he shares two names with rather prevalent members of the St Louis Cardinals, Matt Holliday and Chris Carpenter.  A few suggested names (courtesy of St. Louis Post Dispatch's Cards Talk members) were Little Carp, Lil Carp, MC Hammer, T.O. (the other) Carpenter.  My favorite suggestion is knuckles. It definitely fits because he doesn't wear batting gloves!

My favorite thing about the Baby Birds/Memphis Mafia is the fact that you guys have experienced success together in the minor leagues and are now making memories together in the majors.  Plus, Puma says that the thing he likes about the Cardinals young players is that they all come up knowing how to play.  

'Til Later

P.S. Please win tonight-- I'll be in attendance! GO CARDS!

Tossed into the 'ssippi (i.e. those "in the dog house"):

Matt Holliday- Matty hit a long flyout Sunday, he was  warned.
Tyler Greene-  Ugly error on what looked to be a easy, routine play.

Oh Look! One of the Ol' Birds is limping...

04/10/2012

Cardinals 3 Reds 1

Dear Berkman,

When you legged out that triple Tuesday night, I pressed my hands to my cheeks and made a face like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone--mostly because I didn't think you'll make third, and also-- let's face it, Puma--you're kind of old. 

I liked the aggressiveness, though, because it was the sixth inning and we were only winning by one.  I figured the only way to ensure that a run would score would be that triple, and then a sac fly.  Freese overachieved and  sent the  ball out the park.  

Hindsight is perfect vision.  In hindsight, you should have just stayed on second.  The season is a marathon, not a sprint.  And now you've been slowed due to a torn muscle in your calf.  Apparently, you are aiming to return to the lineup Tuesday.

I hope you recover well and feel all the way healthy when you return.

04/11/2012

Cardinals 3 Reds 4

Dear Birds,

You guys had a hard time finishing series off last year-- you'll win the first two games and then on "get away day" you let the game... get away.  (I know it wasn't the "A" lineup, but no excuses, boys, no excuses!)  At least we won the series but it sucks to lose the last game on a walk off.  

I hope this was just an aberration and the next time you win the first two games of a series you win the third game. 

Also, Jaime, I know you are a person of habit and hate when things throw you off your schedule-- Al Hrabosky says that if you order food that's supposed to arrive in 30 minutes, you start freaking out if it doesn't arrive by that time-- but pitching on the road should really be no different than pitching at home.  Please start pitching better on the road.  Last year, you had a 2.55 ERA at home and a 4.61 ERA on the road-- a huge difference.

I want to break out the broom this weekend against the Cubs.  They used up their run quota for the week in a 8-1 win against the Brewers, so go out and win. Can't wait! I hope I'm not disappointed and I'll be disappointed if we were to lose any of these games.

'Til Later

"HAPPY FLIGHT!" METER:  2/3

Stealing Home!

The Cards beat the Mets 7-1 in a spring training game today.  Apparently, Waino was fighting his mechanics, but he still threw 3 scoreless innings.  His velocity was down, but no huge deal there ( I hope), because he's a stud and studs win even without their best stuff. 

The Cardinals scored those seven runs using power and speed.  Yes, speed.  Tyler Greene STOLE HOME!  I really want to see this during the regular season.  A few times.  Definitely once or twice against the Cubs.

I cannot wait to see the decisions Matheny make this year, I think he'll be more of a risk taker than La Russa in some areas.  If spring training is any indication, the 2012 Cardinals are going to bring more excitement to the base paths than previous years. 

Although, I suppose one could say that watching Yadi attempt to score from first on a double is exciting.  Or that watching Joe Thurston hit a double and get called out because he didn't tag first during that epic, everlasting July 2009 game against the Dodgers was exciting. (I almost broke the remote.)  And in 2010, when David Freese tripped over third whilst running home, breaking his ankle, I suppose that counts as excitement, too.  (I now think anyone rounding third is going to blow out a wheel.  Irrational fear?  Maybe.  Okay it is.)

I am looking forward to having excitement on the bases because of speed and good base-running and not because of lack of speed or bad base-running!  This team is long overdue.

'Til Later