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Brian Walton's news and commentary on the St. Louis Cardinals (TM) and their minor league system

FOX Sports Midwest confirms full slate of Cardinals games in 2011

Starting next season, FOX Sports Midwest will be televising all games that were on KSDK in recent years.

FOX Sports Midwest spokesman Geoff Goldman confirmed the network will be televising the full slate of St. Louis Cardinals games starting in 2011, taking those which had been televised by KSDK, primarily on Sundays.

“FOX Sports Midwest will be the exclusive television home of the Cardinals next season, showing every game that is not broadcast nationally,” Goldman said when contacted on Wednesday. “We are proud to add 20 games to our schedule starting in 2011.”

FS Midwest is televising all 130 of its 2010 games in high definition.

Gauging initial reaction to the news, the basic concerns seem to be related to the principle of the matter of games leaving over-the-air television.

Moving regional events to cable outlets is hardly new. The trend has been occurring across MLB for some time for teams to take their games to more lucrative networks. In St. Louis, the shift actually began 15 years ago. The Cardinals will soon be joining a number of other clubs whose games have already left free television.

Those actually affected by the loss of games on free television are part of a small minority. FOX Sports Midwest is available via basic or expanded basic packages on most all cable and satellite systems. According to Nielsen Media Research, St. Louis’ cable plus satellite penetration is 89 percent, just two percent under the national average.

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132 Responses to “FOX Sports Midwest confirms full slate of Cardinals games in 2011”

  1. blingboy says:

    Some way has to be found to get Brendan on the DL and then down to the minors on a lengthy rehab. Last year’s performance was too large a sample size to be all luck or a fluke.

  2. CardFanSince57 says:

    Upon the occasion of FOX Sports Midwest confirming the full slate of Cardinals games in 2011, I also learn that Vice President and General Manager John Mozeliak has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the team through 2013! Until I joined this blog, I had very little knowledge of the man that you guys refer to as “Mo”. I knew only that there yet existed good feelings (and deservedly so) about the previous GM, Walt Jocketty. The positive vibes that I personally derive from “Mo” emanate from the signing of Matt Holliday; proof that he is serious about keeping my team in contention. As an aside, I must confess that I didn’t know that he was such a young whipper-snapper, 20 years my junior, until this morning…

    Concerning the distressing perplexity which arises from Brendan’s offensive failings, blingboy’s good nature and conscientious mentality gives us a presentation of the heart-wrenching problem at hand. We cannot treat Brendan as though he had never contributed, but we find ourselves nevertheless throwing him under the bus, knowing that our team must bring all it’s assets to bear upon winning the pennant and going to the World Series…

  3. CardFanSince57 says:

    Brett Myers, $3MM (mutual option after 2010)
    He has a 3.41 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9, he has pitched in playoff races before and has just $1.3MM remaining on his contract.

    Although I am not conversant with issues relating to contracts and budgets, I do know talent when I see it and I am capable of sensing a bargain when it is available. Can one of you guys please apprise me of reasons that we are not tripping over ourselves to go after this guy? He hands our butts to us every time we face him and his 3.41 ERA is proof that he is just as effective against all the other teams.

  4. RCWarrior says:

    Bling wrote, “Some way has to be found to get Brendan on the DL and then down to the minors on a lengthy rehab. Last year’s performance was too large a sample size to be all luck or a fluke.”

    The cardinals should have planned for this when Brendan decided to have surgery on his wrist. Brendan was never going to hit this year after having wrist surgery so close to the seasons beginning. His decision to have that surgery doomed him this year. Combine that with the fact that he is allergic to the weight room and made another mistake by trying to change his swing around to hit for more power, he just made a handful of colossal mistakes right there at one time.

    But the decision to have surgery on his wrist was his biggest mistake to date and he will pay for that mistake with his subsequent lack of playing time, then his production and finally in terms of dollars, and the cardinals are paying with brendan’s lack of production at the plate and then in the field.

    Its not unlike Mather from last year, his wrist surgery took him out of the mix and he hasn’t rebounded to date power wise. Brendan may come back but the wrist only recovers with rest and he cant rest it during the season so this year is a wash. And his lack of options have hamstrung thee team. Its a bad deal all the way around.

  5. WestCoastbirdWatcher says:

    Likely all true RC………..

    57…………..Myers isn’t on the shelf for who ever wants to pick him up……….. Houston will want something for him………..many teams are in need. He has found some stability there, but his temperament doesn’t play everywhere………….

  6. crdswmn says:

    Maybe the team can keep Brendan as a bench player for the rest of the season. I suspect this is not possible, but I like Brendan and it would be a shame to lose him.

  7. WestCoastbirdWatcher says:

    You can’t keep damaged goods on a playoff team Crd……………. every spot is important.

    I out for the weekend so good luck to all…..

  8. blingboy says:

    1. Lopez, 3B

    2. Rasmus, CF

    3. Pujols, 1B

    4. Holliday, LF

    5. Winn, RF

    6. Molina, C

    7. Schumaker, 2B

    8. Garcia, P

    9. Greene, SS

  9. blingboy says:

    Our 5,6,7,8,9 will have them shaking in their boots.

  10. Brian Walton says:

    Let’s hope the Dodgers take the field in boots. It will help the Cardinals defense! ;-)

    (I didn’t post the lineup earlier as I know you all like to…)

  11. crdswmn says:

    FSM hasn’t been tweeting the lineup. I don’t know why/

  12. crdswmn says:

    I don’t get why Winn is in there.

  13. crdswmn says:

    BB–Winn shouldn’t be in there. Molina would be ragged on no matter where he is in the lineup. Schu has been hitting better of late, Garcia has to be there, and Brendan has been terrible. I think Jay should be in the 5 hole, and why isn’t Craig or Miles there?

  14. RCWarrior says:

    No Jay? Unbelievable!!!

  15. CardFanSince57 says:

    Does anyone know why Winn is being favored over Jay tonight?

    Some favorable news evolves from the fact that Chad Billingsley does not represent any sort of potential threat to our offense (he’s 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA in five starts against the Cardinals). Against him, Jaime’s 8-4 and 2.17 ERA represents formidable opposition for the Dodgers. Whenever he induces twice as many ground balls as fly balls, he is nigh to unhittable: In the six occasions this season that he has thus been on top of his game, Jaime recorded a strikeout per inning and did not allow more than 5 hits and 2 earned runs. Furthermore, whereas the Dodgers are .255 BA .319 OBP .373 SLG against lefties, the Cardinals are .263 BA .333 OBP .415 SLG against righties!

  16. CardFanSince57 says:

    You have to applaud our guys: They manage to find ways to win despite Tony LaRussa…

  17. blingboy says:

    I think Winn has hit this pitcher hard in the past.

  18. crdswmn says:

    I used to believe TLR knew what he was doing. I don’t anymore.

  19. blingboy says:

    Randy Winn is 11 for 25 (.440) in his career vs. Billingsley

  20. CardFanSince57 says:

    In the past, Winn has hit quite a few pitchers hard. But, alas… we know better than to live in Winn’s past (that is strictly Tony’s province).

  21. CardFanSince57 says:

    On the other hand, for those of us who operate in the present, there is Jon Jay’s 13 game hitting streak…

  22. crdswmn says:

    I don’t think TLR should be living in anyone’s past. He does that too much and it seldom works.

  23. crdswmn says:

    Is it 13? I thought it was 12.

  24. CardFanSince57 says:

    You’re right, crdswmn; keep me straight! You’re also right about Tony living in the past (blingboy can also fill you in on that).

  25. CardFanSince57 says:

    In the perspective of forward thinking folks, tonight’s game nevertheless appears to be quite promising.

  26. crdswmn says:

    Dodger fans are living in la la land (literally). There is a conspiracy theory being bandied about that TLR amd Manuel colluded to keep Carp from pitching in the ASG so he could pitch against the Dodgers. :)

  27. CardFanSince57 says:

    Just when the Fillies thought that they had a mighty turn-around a-goin’, they come to Wrigley field and get mowed-down by the Flubs – twice in a row!

  28. crdswmn says:

    I think the Phils and the Reds are learning what we already know. It is wise not to crow after winning, because it can come back to bite you. Bad Karma, you know. :)

  29. CardFanSince57 says:

    crdswmn, I suppose that it IS a bit unfair for Chris to oppose the Dodgers. ‘Twas proven last night that they had no business being on the same field as him…

  30. CardFanSince57 says:

    I won’t be satisfied until we go into September 20 games ahead…

  31. crdswmn says:

    But Wainwright did pitch the ASG and they are getting him too. I think their muddled brains haven’t thought it through. :)

  32. CardFanSince57 says:

    Kershaw is their Ace and you saw what happened to him in the wilting heat of Busch stadium. They saw what Adam Wainwright could do in the All-Star game: I seriously doubt that they are looking forward to facing him tomorrow…

  33. crdswmn says:

    Yes and they are a little leery of Jaime as well from what I could tell by the comments on their site.

  34. blingboy says:

    LA can score some runs. It would be unrealistic to expect to shut them down twice in a row. With the lineup we’ve got, we will need some of that thump we did without last night.

  35. CardFanSince57 says:

    I agree, blingboy. I also know that if Jaime induces twice as many ground balls as fly balls, the Dodgers will be hard-pressed to score more than one…

  36. crdswmn says:

    This is a reponse from a commenter about the conspiracy theory on the LAD site:

    “It’s all part of some Illuminatist plot to propel Free Mason sponsered teams into a rapid succession to the New World Order Series.”

    Cracks me up. :)

  37. CardFanSince57 says:

    If Jaime is not on top of his game tonight, I have no doubt that it will be “Katy! Bar the door!” and Jaime will be gone by five. Then, indeed, we will need all that our big boppers can give us…

  38. CardFanSince57 says:

    Wow, crdswmn! That’s nothing short of vintage California flakiness!

  39. crdswmn says:

    I think the commenter was being sarcastic.

  40. blingboy says:

    Strasburg has two walks and a wild pitch in the first.

  41. CardFanSince57 says:

    Let us hope that there shall remain a few chinks in the lad’s armor when we finally do battle with him…

  42. Brian Walton says:

    There can be no more conspiracy talk until our resident expert in such matters returns from his weekend away… ;-)

  43. CardFanSince57 says:

    Roger that, chief!

  44. CardFanSince57 says:

    After 3, the Reds are rollin’ the Rockies 2-0 (no hits against Arroyo)…

  45. CardFanSince57 says:

    After a 20 pitch inning of control problems, I am wincing, but… only one ball reached the outfield (the single).

  46. CardFanSince57 says:

    That was in Colby’s wheelhouse: He had no choice, but to smack it!

  47. CardFanSince57 says:

    That was in Albert’s wheelhouse and I am so thankful that the groundout didn’t become a DP…

  48. CardFanSince57 says:

    Attaboy, Matt! Now, let’s hope that Winn can do what Jon would want to do…

  49. CardFanSince57 says:

    He did!

  50. crdswmn says:

    Maybe Winn does have this guy’s number.

  51. crdswmn says:

    Yadi does his opposite field thing!

  52. CardFanSince57 says:

    With that opposite field blast, Yadier’s night (last night) was no fluke…

  53. blingboy says:

    Now everyone should have listened when I said Tony knows everything and it stands to reason you should count on what an old guy did when he wasn’t so old. This lineup rocks.

  54. crdswmn says:

    Oh well. it was and RBI :)

  55. CardFanSince57 says:

    Believe me, crdswmn, the whole line-up has Billingsley’s number…

  56. CardFanSince57 says:

    Whether Winn was there or Jay, blingboy; it is the LINE-UP that rocks (not Tony). It is the result of all our guys having Billingsley’s number: He wasn’t that awesome to begin with…

  57. CardFanSince57 says:

    Isn’t it amazing how so many folks say that Tony sucks, until those rare occasions when something works out. Then, he is suddenly transformed into a genius…

  58. crdswmn says:

    Sometimes TLR’s numbers game works. More often than not it doesn’t.

  59. CardFanSince57 says:

    Ain’t that the ever-lovin’ truth, crdswmn!

  60. JumboShrimp says:

    TLR and Blingboy 1, Dahmboys nada.

    In 1964, the Cards landed Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio. In those bygone days, there were just no divisions within a league and fewer teams overall. This could explain more trades with close rivals. Nowadays, with 30 teams and six divisions, trades within a division are less frequent. There are more opportunities to trade outside your division. This is why the Cards are unlikely to land Brett Myers. His salary is good, but the Astros have teams in five other divisions who could compete for him. The Astros do not have to trade Myers to a rival within their own division.

  61. CardFanSince57 says:

    Jaime is lookin’ so much sharper than last inning: With much greater command (despite that triple), he reduced his pitches by half…

  62. CardFanSince57 says:

    Skip has Billingsley’s number and Jaime masterfully sacrifices him to second… Yeah, this lineup rocks!

  63. CardFanSince57 says:

    Yeah, our lead-off guy has got Billingsley’s number… It won’t be long until we open-up that Bullpen again!

  64. CardFanSince57 says:

    He jammed Colby…

  65. blingboy says:

    Good point about Myers.

    Yadi has looked good at the plate. Maybe a second half surge.

    There they go again, doing it without big bops.

  66. JumboShrimp says:

    Roy Oswalt presents a different situation, though also with the Astros. Oswalt asked to be traded and included the Cards on a short list of teams he would like to play for. The Astros would be willing to trade Oswalt to anyone who would absorb his huge salary. The Astros would unload the financial albatross of Oswalt onto DeWitt.
    But the Cards, like most teams, do not want to shoulder Oswalt’s massive salary. The economy has slumped, houses have lost value, and so have another asset, baseball players. In this slump, Oswalt is a $9MM pitcher, not the $15MM he actually gets paid. Unless the Astros are willing to contribute $5-6MM/yr to pay Oswalt for the next few years, Roy shall have to endure the ignominy of wearing the Astro’s uniform to the end of his present contract.
    Chances are, Mo will have to look elsewhere to add another pitcher. He is unlikely to find deals with for Myers or Oswalt acceptable.

  67. blingboy says:

    Garcia’s pitch count is out of control, he will be lucky to last 6.

  68. CardFanSince57 says:

    I quite agree… But then, as a rookie, he has always had a problem with pitch-count efficiency…

  69. CardFanSince57 says:

    We won’t be associating Jaime’s name with complete games until after mid-season next year…

  70. CardFanSince57 says:

    If Jaime can settle-in, he’ll get us through 5 and our offense will insure that he gets the win.

  71. blingboy says:

    Colorado is making a late run at the Reds.

  72. CardFanSince57 says:

    Albert has Billingsley’s number too…

  73. CardFanSince57 says:

    So does Matt…

  74. CardFanSince57 says:

    The Reds ought not be too comfortable with only a one-run lead against the Rockers

  75. CardFanSince57 says:

    Nobody out and the table is set for Yadier!

  76. CardFanSince57 says:

    Ah, I have no doubt in my mind that our Jon would have definitely figured-in and extended his hit streak. And I have no doubt in my mind that you feel the same way…

  77. CardFanSince57 says:

    Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with a sacrifice RBI!

  78. CardFanSince57 says:

    Skip damned near homered!

  79. blingboy says:

    Rockies have bases loaded nobody out down by one.

  80. CardFanSince57 says:

    My handy-dandy ESPN Gamecast just winked-out… I’ll be gone for about 5 minutes: DON’T GIVE THE DODGERS AN INCH, damn it!

  81. blingboy says:

    Rockies blew it, Reds still up 3-2

  82. CardFanSince57 says:

    The Rockers will get one more opportunity…

    While I was gone, I see that you allowed Jaime to give up a couple of singles…

  83. crdswmn says:

    Jaime off tonight.

  84. CardFanSince57 says:

    As off as he certainly is, crdswmn, it is nothing short of wonderful that the Dodgers had not scored more…

  85. blingboy says:

    “While there was speculation the Padres might shut Mat Latos down for a bit, they found a spot for him on the DL — because of a sneeze. While walking down some steps at Coors Field in Denver last Friday, Mat Latos stifled a sneeze. That aborted sneeze led to pain in Latos’ side that landed the 22-year-old pitcher on the 15-day disabled list Thursday. How convenient” from CNN.

    We gotta be able to get Brendan on the DL, jeesh.

  86. CardFanSince57 says:

    This is a Big Time situation for McClellan: A chance for him to show that he’s got what it takes under great pressure to put out a fire and shut ‘em down.

  87. CardFanSince57 says:

    When you can strike-out .327 Ethier with two men on base and the game on the line, you’ve earned my respect, McClellan!

  88. CardFanSince57 says:

    What Kyle done did makes-up for a lot grief he has caused in the past…

  89. blingboy says:

    Kind of a quick hook but the right move IMO. No use burning up the rookie when he doesn’t have good command

  90. JumboShrimp says:

    The Cards are not going to DL Brendan Ryan. We saw how he will be used last night. TLR will give him matchups against southpaws like Kershaw. Greene gets the start tonight with the less favorable matchup.
    Ryan is ok for a bench role. He can pinch run and enter the game for defense. In any event, he is is not going anywhere.

  91. CardFanSince57 says:

    Thanks to himself, Jaime can’t win it: Thanks to Kyle, he can’t lose it…

  92. CardFanSince57 says:

    Every one of our guys has picked-up at least one hit tonight!

  93. CardFanSince57 says:

    If you’re gonna ground into a DP, make sure there are men on base and nobody out, hey Colby?

  94. CardFanSince57 says:

    Excellent work, Kyle!

    For a while, Cincy had nightmares about being a half-game back…

  95. CardFanSince57 says:

    10 hits and 6 ER after 4 innings and the Dodgers are keeping Billingsley in: We used a bunch of their Bullpen last night and Joe knows that we’re fixin’ to use a bunch more..

  96. CardFanSince57 says:

    Interestingly, in all of Billingsley’s miserable evening, he’s only given up two walks (both of them to Matt)…

  97. crdswmn says:

    Interesting that Cards have 10 hits and 6 runs and Dodgers have 9 hits but only 2 runs. Our hits have been more productive.

  98. CardFanSince57 says:

    Aye, much more productive, yet nary a home run (and only one extra base hit)

  99. blingboy says:

    Seems like we’ve scored a lot of runs on outs.

  100. CardFanSince57 says:

    So far, we’ve small-balled them to death. It’s time now, however, to do some serious carpet bombing!

  101. crdswmn says:

    Has the Yadi curse been lifted?

  102. CardFanSince57 says:

    That’s what I’m talkin’ about! That particular homer, coming from our awakening giant, was truly righteous!

  103. CardFanSince57 says:

    Hell, ya can’t get thrown into this game without gettin’ a hit!

  104. blingboy says:

    Get Brendan in there, quick.

  105. CardFanSince57 says:

    12 H and 8 R in 5 innings… Now that our bombers are startin’ to fly, I’m hoping to do some real damage now!

  106. CardFanSince57 says:

    Hey! That’s RIGHT! This is the night of the hit!

  107. CardFanSince57 says:

    Personally, I would have left Kyle in there for at least another inning…

  108. CardFanSince57 says:

    “Merciless Mitch” simply doesn’t have a conscience!

  109. CardFanSince57 says:

    Did Colby just swing at something up and out?

  110. CardFanSince57 says:

    Well… the walk certainly compensates for goin’ after that goof ball…

  111. crdswmn says:

    Winn’s shot would have been a hit if Manny had been in there. :P

  112. CardFanSince57 says:

    This is the first inning that we failed to score!

  113. RCWarrior says:

    great job by TLR with the Winn move….thats why he makes the big bucks. Yadi is coming around….good for him and good for the cards. And lets go ahead and say what a good surprise for the cards to come out playing like they have been. Things are looking up.

  114. CardFanSince57 says:

    A six run lead against the Dodgers just ain’t enough and the long-ball from our boppers has been conspicuously absent…

  115. CardFanSince57 says:

    It is so refreshing to see Trevor go an entire inning without giving up a hit!

  116. CardFanSince57 says:

    Now cometh “Menacing Motte”!

  117. CardFanSince57 says:

    Menacing Motte’s balls are all over the place: They’re definitely not consistently high n’ hard as usual. It seems like he’s mixing-in attempts at a slider (or something), without a great deal of success…

  118. CardFanSince57 says:

    I suppose if you’re gonna do some trial n’ error, a 6 run lead is an acceptable place to do it…

  119. blingboy says:

    A scout for Japan’s Tokyo Giants is at Busch Stadium today.
    about 3 hours ago via web
    dylanohernandez
    Dylan Hernandez
    (LA Times guy)

  120. CardFanSince57 says:

    If the man at the plate turns a Grand Salami, we’re gonna start to get nervous… I really wish that Jason would work on the art of inducing grounders (for just such times as this)

  121. crdswmn says:

    Some more runs for us in the 8th would be nice.

  122. CardFanSince57 says:

    That’s most interesting, blingboy… Thanks for the heads up…

  123. CardFanSince57 says:

    Too often, those fly bombs hurt… even when they fall into our glove for an out…

  124. CardFanSince57 says:

    It may be, crdswmn, that some more runs in the 8th will not only be nice, but absolutely necessary…

  125. CardFanSince57 says:

    This is the 2nd consecutive outing in which Reyes has gotten us out of a jam…

  126. CardFanSince57 says:

    Our bombers are fixin’ to fly over the target area again… This time when they open the bomb-bay doors, however, let us hope that something substantial is dropped…

  127. CardFanSince57 says:

    Attaboy, Tyler! Let’s set the table for the boppers!

  128. crdswmn says:

    The boppers haven’t delivered tonight. They left it to the B team.

  129. CardFanSince57 says:

    Assuming that we hold ‘em this inning; were it not for Yadier, we will have won the second consecutive game strictly by means of the small-ball. I am so proud of our guys, with every one of them getting at least one hit!

  130. CardFanSince57 says:

    We would be tied 4 to 4, were it not for the 4 RBI courtesy of Yadier Molina…

  131. CardFanSince57 says:

    Wow! What a satisfying win! Dare we go for three tomorrow?

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