At Busch Stadium, Adam Wainwright has posted among the most impressive results of any pitcher in St. Louis Cardinals history.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is on a roll, but it isn’t just a recent phenomenon. He tossed six scoreless innings to earn his 14th win of the season in the Cardinals’ 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday at Busch Stadium.
Wainwright extended his 2010 record to 14-5 while lowering his ERA to 2.02. The right-hander has just one no-decision in his 20 starts this season and is averaging seven innings per start and 8.2 strikeouts against just 2.3 walks per nine innings.
In his Saturday win, Wainwright became the first Cardinals pitcher since at least 1920 to win his first 10 decisions at home. In his ten starts at Busch this season, Wainwright is 10-0 with a 1.31 ERA, the lowest home ERA of any starter in the National League.
In an amazing measure of consistency, Wainwright extended his streak of home quality starts to 25. Those are games in which he yielded three earned runs or less and pitched six or more innings.
The last time the 28-year-old did not toss a quality start at Busch Stadium was on May 5, 2009, when he allowed seven runs in six innings pitched. The opponent was none other than the Philadelphia Phillies, his opposition again this Thursday.
In his only outing against the Phils since, Wainwright took a no-decision at Citizens Bank Park this May 4 despite yielding just one run over eight innings. Due to the unbalanced schedule used by MLB, the two clubs generally only have one home and one away series each season.
The May 5, 2009 home defeat was Wainwright’s only career loss to Philadelphia in seven appearances, including five starts. He has a 2-1 record with a 2.68 ERA when facing the Phillies. His career ERA at home against all clubs is even lower at 2.46.
As Waino faces off against the Phillies and Cole Hamels at Busch Stadium on Thursday afternoon’s finale of the four-game set, it will be his 58th career start at home. Through 57, that 2.46 ERA is the second-lowest by any St. Louis starter of those with at least 50 home starts since at least 1920. Only the “Cranky Yankee”, John Tudor, had a lower career home ERA. Wainwright’s teammate, Chris Carpenter, is fifth.
St. Louis Cardinals pitchers, lowest home ERA, 50 starts or more since 1920
| Player | W | L | ERA | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP |
| John Tudor | 35 | 8 | 2.26 | 66 | 15 | 8 | 478 | 411 | 120 | 28 | 93 | 244 | 1.05 |
| Adam Wainwright | 31 | 16 | 2.46 | 57 | 5 | 1 | 394.1 | 346 | 108 | 26 | 100 | 308 | 1.13 |
| Mort Cooper | 54 | 18 | 2.47 | 89 | 54 | 12 | 692 | 592 | 190 | 24 | 195 | 358 | 1.14 |
| Max Lanier | 46 | 27 | 2.57 | 87 | 41 | 12 | 623 | 571 | 178 | 15 | 189 | 354 | 1.22 |
| Chris Carpenter | 38 | 15 | 2.57 | 72 | 10 | 6 | 505 | 438 | 144 | 33 | 109 | 412 | 1.08 |
| Al Brazle | 31 | 17 | 2.74 | 59 | 31 | 4 | 429.2 | 410 | 131 | 12 | 127 | 177 | 1.25 |
| Steve Carlton | 31 | 37 | 2.89 | 84 | 28 | 7 | 607.2 | 561 | 195 | 35 | 212 | 424 | 1.27 |
| Harry Brecheen | 62 | 29 | 2.91 | 112 | 61 | 13 | 820 | 739 | 265 | 41 | 210 | 408 | 1.16 |
| Howie Pollet | 41 | 31 | 2.93 | 88 | 45 | 10 | 620.2 | 609 | 202 | 25 | 212 | 291 | 1.32 |
| Dizzy Dean | 63 | 29 | 2.97 | 102 | 70 | 11 | 840.2 | 822 | 277 | 44 | 174 | 532 | 1.18 |
| Danny Cox | 33 | 23 | 2.99 | 81 | 12 | 3 | 562.1 | 542 | 187 | 41 | 140 | 265 | 1.21 |
| Bob Gibson | 112 | 85 | 3.04 | 237 | 110 | 21 | 1865 | 1659 | 630 | 132 | 593 | 1529 | 1.21 |
| Lynn McGlothen | 23 | 20 | 3.04 | 50 | 17 | 7 | 358.1 | 328 | 121 | 22 | 116 | 190 | 1.24 |
| Nelson Briles | 28 | 17 | 3.06 | 60 | 13 | 6 | 405.1 | 374 | 138 | 27 | 109 | 230 | 1.19 |
| Joe Magrane | 22 | 26 | 3.09 | 68 | 8 | 4 | 457.2 | 433 | 157 | 16 | 140 | 221 | 1.25 |
| Curt Simmons | 38 | 25 | 3.10 | 91 | 28 | 11 | 635.1 | 658 | 219 | 54 | 142 | 298 | 1.26 |
| Ray Washburn | 31 | 28 | 3.16 | 83 | 15 | 6 | 540.2 | 531 | 190 | 43 | 120 | 303 | 1.20 |
| John Denny | 32 | 18 | 3.16 | 68 | 18 | 7 | 467.1 | 455 | 164 | 25 | 150 | 202 | 1.29 |
| Bill Doak | 33 | 19 | 3.19 | 69 | 27 | 7 | 468.2 | 501 | 166 | 11 | 124 | 168 | 1.33 |
| Matt Morris | 57 | 28 | 3.22 | 115 | 11 | 7 | 757.2 | 714 | 271 | 62 | 203 | 563 | 1.21 |
| Bob Tewksbury | 34 | 21 | 3.23 | 71 | 8 | 1 | 490.1 | 493 | 176 | 36 | 57 | 203 | 1.12 |
| Reggie Cleveland | 22 | 14 | 3.25 | 50 | 17 | 5 | 351.2 | 334 | 127 | 22 | 83 | 216 | 1.19 |
| Ernie Broglio | 34 | 15 | 3.35 | 77 | 25 | 9 | 534.2 | 467 | 199 | 53 | 202 | 358 | 1.25 |
| Joaquin Andujar | 30 | 33 | 3.35 | 74 | 21 | 7 | 537.1 | 504 | 200 | 31 | 149 | 269 | 1.22 |
| Red Munger | 38 | 17 | 3.36 | 74 | 32 | 10 | 498.1 | 480 | 186 | 19 | 198 | 262 | 1.36 |
| Bob Forsch | 89 | 57 | 3.42 | 205 | 34 | 12 | 1349 | 1283 | 512 | 79 | 373 | 560 | 1.23 |
| Jose DeLeon | 23 | 28 | 3.47 | 76 | 7 | 3 | 471.2 | 390 | 182 | 34 | 168 | 377 | 1.18 |
| Vinegar Bend Mizell | 38 | 32 | 3.48 | 95 | 28 | 6 | 640.2 | 581 | 248 | 51 | 288 | 405 | 1.36 |
| Donovan Osborne | 28 | 16 | 3.48 | 68 | 2 | 2 | 429 | 403 | 166 | 41 | 106 | 276 | 1.19 |
| Murry Dickson | 26 | 22 | 3.55 | 67 | 25 | 4 | 461 | 458 | 182 | 45 | 155 | 223 | 1.33 |
| Harvey Haddix | 28 | 17 | 3.58 | 56 | 25 | 9 | 407 | 368 | 162 | 40 | 115 | 298 | 1.19 |
| Jesse Haines | 93 | 67 | 3.65 | 193 | 103 | 10 | 1422 | 1520 | 576 | 82 | 371 | 476 | 1.33 |
| Bill Hallahan | 51 | 28 | 3.73 | 101 | 44 | 9 | 712.2 | 720 | 295 | 33 | 268 | 417 | 1.39 |
| Jeff Suppan | 20 | 16 | 3.74 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 315.1 | 345 | 131 | 35 | 101 | 193 | 1.41 |
| Bill Sherdel | 56 | 46 | 3.76 | 113 | 69 | 3 | 870.1 | 1009 | 364 | 58 | 183 | 254 | 1.37 |
| Gerry Staley | 43 | 22 | 3.77 | 81 | 31 | 5 | 556.2 | 598 | 233 | 41 | 145 | 199 | 1.33 |
| Andy Benes | 27 | 13 | 3.88 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 373.2 | 341 | 161 | 47 | 144 | 297 | 1.30 |
| Larry Jackson | 51 | 28 | 3.93 | 110 | 41 | 6 | 760.2 | 818 | 332 | 76 | 206 | 432 | 1.35 |
| Flint Rhem | 37 | 29 | 3.95 | 80 | 36 | 4 | 553 | 613 | 243 | 35 | 170 | 191 | 1.42 |
| Lon Warneke | 36 | 26 | 4.13 | 84 | 33 | 4 | 584 | 626 | 268 | 60 | 169 | 254 | 1.36 |
| Syl Johnson | 20 | 19 | 4.34 | 51 | 20 | 3 | 346.1 | 372 | 167 | 25 | 84 | 156 | 1.32 |
| Ray Sadecki | 32 | 29 | 4.49 | 81 | 18 | 1 | 499 | 521 | 249 | 63 | 200 | 317 | 1.44 |
| Jason Marquis | 23 | 20 | 5.07 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 314.1 | 349 | 177 | 48 | 113 | 183 | 1.47 |
Special thanks to Tom Orf for the data table above.
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Mo is looking for a starting pitcher and willing to absorb some salary. Roy Oswalt would like to play for the Birds. Two facts.
For the Cards to shoulder a hefty salary like Oswalt or Haren, they have to lose some salary by including Ludwick in the deal and going cheap in RF (Jay/Craig). Luddy is a fine man and RF, but we cannot pay both him and a pricey pitcher. We do not wish to surrender Ludwick, but it may be a financial necessity in any deal for a costly pitcher.
The Cards can give the Astros additional players, Hawksworth or Houston natives Stavinoha or Hamilton. And the Astros gain by shedding salary wasted on a noncompetitive team.
There are not a lot of teams willing to shoulder $18MM for Oswalt during 2011. The Astros may want to turn the page and reward a great vet like Oswalt by letting him perform for a contender.
Interesting theory about trading Ludwick and I can see how you might think that, Jumbo, but that is not anything that has been reported in the press to my knowledge. We have no way of knowing if the Cardinals would surrender Ludwick of if the Astros would even want him. I think the Astros would be dumb to trade Oswalt within the division, but they have made many poorer moves in recent years.
Actually, Hamilton lives in New Orleans, but Daryl Jones is a Houstonian. Moving Jones would also free a spot on the 40-man and he is clearly stuck in Double-A as others keep passing him by.
Wainwright, Carpenter, Oswalt or Haren, Lohse, Garcia. A pretty good rotation. One that can keep ahead of the improving Reds. TLR might be willing to return for 2011 with a rotation like that. And (vulgarly selfish clubhouse cancer) Albert likes playing for a winner.
Mo liked the experience of trading for Matt Holliday last July. Lets make another deal, says Trader Mo.
Even with Adam towards the very top of such list, it is nigh to impossible to avoid a stroll down Memory Lane for an old fart who has personally seen the majority of the luminaries listed! What a privilege it is, to be witnessing part of our Cardinals history in which we get to see two of the pitchers with the lowest home ERA in 50 starts or more since 1920! Thank you, Brian, for what must have been an easy story to spin-off and thank Tom Orf for another dazzling, detailed list of Cardinals who have reached a significant milestone of greatness.
I don’t want Oswalt. He is questionable healthwise, he is too expensive, and with Lohse making such a speedy recovery, not needed in my opinion. Hawkesworth and Suppan have been doing an adequate job. Haren would be a nice addition, but again, too expensive and not needed.
I wouldn’t mind picking up another position player (ss comes to mind) but only if we can find one we could afford without having to mortgage our future.
Hamilton prepped in the Houston area, before matriculating at Tulane in Nawlins. Jones is going to need to hit better at AA to raise his trade value.
Tracy Ringolsby reported Skip, Luddy, and Boggs were offered to the Rockies for Holliday in July 2008. This was probably a truish rumor. If we were willing to move Luddy in 2008, when an All Star, he is tradeable again.
However, if we target a less costly pitcher, Ludwick would not have to be traded owing to finances.
Good point on Hamilton’s high school, but you have no way of knowing if the Cards would need to dump Ludwick’s salary to take on Oswalt. Personal speculation is fine, but don’t confuse that with the Cardinals intent. They have plenty of options to consider, of which that is only one. None of us know which they prefer, let alone what Houston may be looking for.
WAINWRIGHT (2.02) Versus HAMELS (3.63)
Against lefties, Adam (.221) and Hamels (.182) are comparable. Against righties, however, Adam is much stingier (.209) and Hamels is much more generous (.280)! Whereas Adam has given-up a homer in only half of the games he has started, you can count on Hamels to give up a homer every game that he starts! Now, here is the most decisive parameter: Adam has 4 complete games (including a shutout) and Hamels has no complete games.
In order for us to lose this afternoon, either Adam must have a very rare bad outing at home or our offense must go cold for the first time in 9 games. I very strongly suspect that the Fillies will limp out of St. Louis, a mere game above .500. Before the Sun goes down on this day, I have practically no doubt that the Flubs will be feeling the tremors caused by the footsteps of a Cardinal team on a serious 9-game winning streak.
The Phils are demoralized. They are going to limp through this one and then get the heck out of St.Louis.
All of the Mo/BD’s recent activities including the sudden acceleration of Lohse’s itinerary, along with the treatment Penny suggest no moves are immanent…………Save perhaps a Penny salary bail for prospects.
. Miles 2b
2. Rasmus cf
3. Pujols 1b
4. Holliday lf
5. Craig rf
6. Molina c
7. Ryan ss
8. Wainwright P
9. Greene 3b
Very surprised not to see the red hot Wynn in this one. The slumping Colby against Hamels? and batting second?
No Flip? This lineup surprises me. I expected Winn . Greene at 3B? Brendan batting 7? I knew Tony wouldn’t play LaRue.
T2 Nats are up 1-0 over Reds.
Some of Tony’s lineups can be explained (like yesterday’s) and some defy all rational explanation (like benching three regulars on a Sunday). This one appears to be a “‘Tweener”! ‘Twas either Westy or blingboy that predicted today’s Craig inclusion. While the benching of switch-hitting Lopez may be due to an injury, the benching of a hot switch-hitting Winn against a southpaw is a downright mystery.
Until our game begins, crdswmn, I’ve got my ESPN Gamecast on the Nats-Reds game… Thanking God for WGN and ESPN, I will be able to actually see my Cardinals on television during the entire Chicago series!
The Nats are becoming a nightmare to poor Volquez! Wow! Only the top o’ the 2nd, and they’re already climbing all over them, 3 to 0!
Volquez is being squeezed by the ump. He isn’t throwing that bad. Pitch count is way up though. Reds look flat without Rolen.
Dunn gos opo yard and it 5 zip……………
Nats must be juiced from last night.
Judging by the booing of the Reds bandwagon fans last night, I am only imagining how they’re reacting now!
Winn and Flip low BA against Hamels. Explains why they are not in there.
Oddly enough……….and this is the issue……….Reds fill the park to see Strasbourg….but now they’re back to 17 thousand. I think it gets to the team………..it 6 to nothing now.
Looks like rain delay in Cincy.
Never mind. MLB website is slow to update.
I think you’re right, Westy… We’ve been through our Hell: It’s time now for Filly and the Reds to go through theirs…
No rain……..they’re taking out Volquez
Now Cinnci goes to Houston where are the players are trying to look good to become trade bait. A trap for a struggling team.
Against Hamels:
Lopez 3 for 20 (1 double and 2 BB)
Winn 4 for 19 (2 doubles and 1 BB)
Pujols 3 for 17 (1 double and 1 HR)
Molina 4 for 13 (2 doubles)
Oswalt will cost $16MM for 2011, plus $2MM buyout of his 2012 option. A lot of teams will be leery of shouldering $18MM for 2011.
Oswalt reportedly likes the Cards and will not demand pickup of his 2012 option from the Cardinals. He knows the Cards need to reserve this budget for Pujols, so he cannot expect this of them.
The Cards can go a good distance toward affording Oswalt redeploying money liberated by the end of Penny’s contract ($7.5MM and by trading Ludwick, who might earn $7MM for 2011).
The Post Dispatch had some reporter who speculated that rookies Jon Jay and/or Allen Craig would be traded for Oswalt This is unlikely, because Oswalt is too expensive.
One way the Cards could afford Oswalt without trading Luddy would be if the Astros gave them a lot of cash in the deal, so we could afford him. But this would be hard for the Astros to do, since it would not look good to the fans to lose their hero and for the team to have to pay for his exit, to a competitor inside their division. The optics would not be good, from an Ed Wade viewpoint.
Oswalt is still a fine pitcher, he has served the Astros well, but the rest of their team is not very good. The Astros could reward Oswalt by sending him to a contender. But this financial construct makes it hard to structure a deal without including Ryan Ludwick.
“Now Cinnci goes to Houston where are the players are trying to look good to become trade bait”. Just ask the Flubs about that…
The Astros can put Ludwick in RF, shift Pence to LF, and move Carlos Lee to 1B for 2011. Berkman is available in trade too. The Astros are turning the page.
The fiasco taking place in Cincinnati is really warming the cockles of my heart… I will be shocked if Hernandez doesn’t shut-out the Reds this afternoon…
Hernandez has a pitch count of only 36 in 4 innings…
Hernandez blew the shutout, but he’s still maintaining a decent pitch count. While we watch the Cardinals polish-off the Fillies, I won’t surprised to hear of Zimmerman smacking a homer and the Nats running-up the score…
8 pitches to the 1st batter is not the way that we chart the path to a complete game…
I’ve heard that when you dunk a man’s head to drown him, he will resist with nearly super-human strength. It appears that the Fillies are demonstrating the principle, in their effort to avoid a 4-game sweep…
Can someone explain how it was that we missed that DP?
57, the ball wasn’t hit hard enough.
Thank you, crdswmn! I’m “blind” on this end and don’t have the advantage of blingboy’s “eyes” today.
Hamels just did what he does against lefties: I can’t help, but believe that Winn would have at least run the pitch count up…
This is not starting good.
Can it be that Hamels just struckout the side, that we are making him look like a Koufax against our Ace?
The batboy proves once again why he is just the batboy – he can’t even credibly play arm chair GM. Penny is going nowhere. No one is going to trade for a high priced pitcher pitcher coming off injury until he proves he can perform. If he can perform the Cards will want to keep him. There is no reason for the Cards to pick up salary by trading him — at that point they might as well keep him. Penny’s troubles play well for roster management at this point. He won’t need to be activated from a rehab stint until after Sept 1st when rosters expand.
The good news is that the Nats are now 7-1 (with only 1 out in the top o’ the 7th)
Tony is doing some “coaching” with Colby. If Hamel keeps his pitch count down, Colby will never face him a third time……………he is completely over matched………….they are trying to dink Waino, get his count up. Phillies bull pen is gassed………..we should be doing the same.
Well, Adam sure made Rollins look ridiculous (“Good Mornng, Good Afternoon & Good Night”)
Chances of signing Ozwalt are 1/ 1000……………… they are gaming the market, trying to lower the price on another player.
Well, it certainly appears that Adam is beginning to settle-in…
Other than the double that was a better inning for Waino.
drip drip…………..Penny wants an independent evaluation…………..so they won’t trade him…
Matt is Hamels’ 4th consecutive K
Allen is Hamels’ 5th consecutive K…
Well, at least Yadier went down in usual style and did not join the mounting Strikeout Club…
For some that are trying to keep up………….. Cardinals are playing the market with their Oswalt “interest”……………… what they really saying is ……..we don’t think Penny can help……….someone please ask about him…………………there are 5 teams that would take Penny’s salary now for his reentry for September and the playoff………………… the Cardinals are doing there best to make this seem like a good idea………………………Penny would rather take control of his career again after the 31st……………………that is why he is calling for an independent medical evaluation…..that his agent can use.
More likely Penny wants an independent evaluation so he doesn’t end up pitching hurt, reinjuring himself and jeopardizing his chances of a fat contract next year.
As I can see that line of thinking is too complicated for a batboy, it seems that being in the laundry room cleaning jock straps is a more appropriate place for Westie. Sorry about the demotion but look at the bright side, you still have a job.
Should I be worried?
Even a laundry boy should be able to figure out that if there were five teams willing to take Penny’s salary and the Cards wanted rid of him we would simply pick up the phone instead of waiting for someone to ask. P-E-N-N-Y I-S N-O-T G-E-T-T-I-N-G T-R-A-D-E-D. Anything else you need spelled out just ask.
No, crdswmn! Just believe! We’ve got a few guys in the lineup that know what they’re doing and Adam will meanwhile keep the enemy at bay…
It would be nice, and a complement to Adam’s valiant effot, if a few of the fielder’s choices were transformed into DPs…
You are a genius Brazilian. That would imply that you were going to sign someone…….DB loves to invite pressure to spend money…………. you are not worthy of the Band width Brazilian. But this is what I’m going to do for you………… Brian is apparently inviting me to make a vulgar display of flame, or his encouragements to your personal style fulfills his aspirations. So I leave the group to your care……….I will notify those interested party’s as to my new location. Enjoy.
Adam won’t make it beyond 6 innings today, but he is at least keeping them scoreless. It is incumbent upon our offense to awaken – with a vengeance!
Why can’t anybody hit this guy?
Golf clap, CC. Golf clap.
The only ones to get the ball out of the infield are at the very bottom of the lineup! Our guys, so far, are allowing Hamels to pitch a perfect game…
The only Cardinal to be enjoying any success whatsoever so far today is Adam…
Well, at least Matt is willing to stop the nonsense!
With luck Wiano makes it through 7 or at least 6+.
All I know, Carioca, is that our Ace has been holding them down until our offense gets it’s act together: What a man!
That was heads-up fieldwork on the part of the Fillies in doubling-up Matt…
HE DROPPED THAT BALL!
Thanks for the “eyes”, crdswmen: The “picture” has been duly rearranged in my mind
More important than extending our win streak is the fact that we have the opportunity to widen the gap between ourselves and the Reds. I sure hope that our offense doesn’t blow it…
Having pitched a quality start, Adam’s ERA is now down to 1.94! It’s time now for some batters to man up!
The curious absence of Winn and Lopez from the starting lineup is now becoming conspicuous…
We at least need to make Hammels work so he rolls up his pitch count. We likely aren’t getting anything today as long as he’s in there.
Too bad the offense couldn’t give Waino the win.
I quite agree. With a pitch count of 72 after 6, it is otherwise likely that he will go all the way…
They’d better make damned sure that they are not responsible for another “L” on his record!
Other than the high pitch count, Adam pitched an outstanding game. 6H 0BB 6K. I would have let him go out for the 7th.
Having not been informed of injuries to Winn or Lopez, I am mystified about their absence from the very start. One must therefore assign part of the blame for Adam’s lack of a “W: tdoay to him.
He can’t lose now 57. It will be a no decision.
“to him” = to Tony
The good thing is that Waino’s ERA is below 2.00
You’re 100% correct, crdswmn!
Tony could have avoided the searing white light of scrutiny, if he had brought in Winn to replace Colby. The only way that the manager can be excused from the particular snafu is for Winn to be sick or injured…
Hammels K’d the first 5 batters and hasn’t K’d one since. Waino actually has induced more ground balls than Hammels has. Not watching the game so it is hard for me to tell who has been more dominant though.
The questions linger… Why wasn’t Tyler placed at SS to make room at third for Flip? Why wasn’t Randy placed in Centerfield in order to face a southpay who is notorious for chewing-up lefties and spitting them out?
I had not thought about the 5 K thing until you brought it up, Carioca… very, very interesting. And it would be in keeping with Adam’s style to induce more grounders than Hamels (it’s a shame that 3 of them couldn’t have been translated into DPs). In my mind, the fact that Adam has 6 Ks (spread out) versus the 5 (altogether) tells me that he was more dominant of the two…
You have to tip your hat to Mitchell…
…despite their 8 hits (versus our 1), the game is still scoreless and the Fillies are yet far from winning it.
The six hits don’t matter if you don’t score. I think it is tie, unless the offense gets to Hamels this inning.
It’s time to ruin Hamels 1 hitter and shut-out…
I meant the 6 hits for Waino, btw.
Matt is anxious to compensate for that fielding error…
That was understood, crdswmn
Lurching for a ball down-and-away, he was too anxious…
Guess who is on his way back down to Memphis? What a shame!
Yadier has no qualms about stopping the nonsense…
Here is .187 Brendan’s chance to become a super-hero!
Instead, it’s just another question for Tony, as to why Flip is not in the lineup…
Denys Reyes makes me nervous.
You have good reason, crdswmn… He’s got some nasty, inconsistent history…
So… he gives up a single on his very first pitch. Whenever Reyes has done that in the past, it has usually been a shot across the bow (a warning for Tony to pull him – quick!)
I hope that Yadier allows Merciless Motte to do his intimidating 98-100 mph high n’ hard thing… This is no time for exploration and fiddling around
Extras or walk-off?
Tip your hat to Motte the Merciless!
Hell, let’s get a walk-off and be done with it!
This is the optimum match-up: Winn (.300 against righties) and Madson (lefties are .320 against him)
It is almost as though Filly is handing us the game, gift-wrapped…
I suppose that we will have to wait until the 10th for that walk-off…
Whenever the situation calls for death, Hell, damnation and degradation, you simply turn the mound over to Motte the Merciless!
Colby is just one of several going “Oh, for…!” this afternoon
Albert is just another of several going “Oh, for…!” this afternoon
Since our Big Boppers are impotent to do anything, lo! We turn to the small-ballers at the bottom of the order to step-up in the 11th inning…
Damn.
Can you imagine the guy being sent back down to Memphis, the first one coming to the plate in the 11th, hitting a walk-off home run?
At least the Reds lost.
I suppose that Kyle was overdue for that… Hopefully, he is not rattled and will now settle-in. We can handle a one-run deficit…
crdswmn, that just may be the ONLY consolation today (unless our offense has another clutch statement to make at the bottom of this inning)
Trevor is another guy who has been making me nervous…
Remember last night, when I shouted; “Miller! You’re paid to get ‘em out, not put ‘em on!” ?
If Miller gets the free-swingin’ Howard to ground into a DP, I will forever shut my mouth about him.
In my book, Miller has ceased from being our “Lefthander Specialist”
Well, Miller just got a well earned run!
Miller is no longer our “Lefthanded Specialist” in my book
This will make our comeback all the more dramatic.
The play was definitely at home…
I really like that attitude, Carioca! That’s the attitude of a competitor and a winner!
Jon is not interested in any of that hitless crap: He came to play! He’s gettin’ on base, by hook or by crook!
Lidge, Shmidge! Give him Hell, Yadier!
Jon’s not interested in waitin’ for a sacrifice: He wants Yadier to knock him in!
…he’ll settle for Skip to knock him in
Well, then…. perhaps Randy
Maybe our offense was just worn out from all the runs they’ve scored on this homestand.
Our streak comes to an end on an 11 inning one-hitter! Well, we remain a game-and-a-half above the Reds and, furthermore, one 8 game winning streak deserves another!
Yeah, you’re right, crdswmn: We’re just buildin’ up the stamina required for a 10 or 12 game streak. I’m not in the least demoralized (disappointed, but definitely not demoralized). We have only things about which to be filled with anticipation and pride!
On to the Flubs. If I recall correctly, last time at Wrigley, Albert hit three dingers in one game.
So, we took the first of three in their yard and they took the last of three in ours. It’s been a wonderful homestand for us and a really ugly road trip for them. The biggest personnel accomplishment today is the deflated ERA of Adam (now down to 1.94). The road to 20 will assuredly be paved with additional streaks (at least seven of them)…
The 10 under .500 Flubs have good reason to dread the 12 over .500 Cardinals.
I still don’t think we need Oswalt. I think Mo should pass.
Oswalt would be making more than Carp, Wainy, Albert, and about the same as Matt. Never happen.
Trading Luddy would be insane.
Let’s trade for a defensive first baseman. First base defense has cost us about as many games as bad starting pitching, which is to say, not many.
I don’t really follow the debate about Penny, nor what exactly our friend Westy is miffed about. I can’t tell what Penny’s situation is. Do the cards think he is sandbagging? Or do the Cards not want him to pitch yet? Was he mis-diagnosed? Is he disillusioned? As usual, our local sports media pulls a hammy running the other way if there is the chance of annoying the team’s honchos by asking a touchy question and being persistant in the face of obfuscation. In the absense of anything resembling facts or truth from the team, no theory should be considered too outlandish or too unlikely.
I’m a little puzzled by the Penny situation myself. Can or can’t he pitch? Who is saying he can’t and who is saying he can?
Realistically, we could use Kelly Johnson AND Steven Drew. Or either of them. What use are they to Arizona? Niether is signed beyond this year. Arizona might as well get something for them while it can. If that ‘something’ includes unloading several years of Dan Haren salary, well . . . we could talk about that. They can have Mr. tommy john waiting to happen if they want him. Skip and Brendan and/or Greene would love it in the valley of the sun.
My feeling about Penny is he can pitch or get off the pot. Option him to Batavia for rehab and move on. He can show up or not. We’re doing rather well without him.
Speaking of trades, it occurs to me that trading for Polanco yesterday would have been great.
Seriously, I notice that Gotay looks good at Memphis. Great OBP. He’d be OK for utility guy if need be.
I will attempt to address each of your concerns, blingboy…
- Oswalt and Ludwick
When I had first naively floated the idea of pursuing Roy Oswalt (a couple of weeks ago, as you may recall), the very one who was most vociferous in denouncing the idea as an absurdity began fantasizing about Oswalt in our pitching rotation this morning and wasted no time in dressing Ludwick in an Astros uniform (despite Brian’s earlier attempt to moderate and inject good sense)!
- Penny
Penny was not the issue, but merely the catalyst of a confrontation which had been mounting for a period of time. While Westy does not mind theorizing and speculation without restraint (through cause and effect analysis), Carioca demands hard evidence and irrefutable substantiation. Aye, while one wants nothing to do with statistics, the other is a devoted statistician. The resultant personality clash ignited intense heartburn today, but thankfully, the resultant name calling continued to be as civilized as it had always been. When the dust settled, Westy expressed the desire to no longer to remain on the same site as Carioca…
Your feelings about Penny are identical to mine (and, I suppose, Carioca’s and crdwmn’s)
The controversy over Oswalt, the Penny confrontation and the Cardinals’ loss would not have occurred if you had been here, blingboy: It’s all your fault!
Thanks for the run down 57. Sounds like I missed a lively time. Hopefully, Westy will reconsider. Name calling is not sticks and stones after all. I remain profoundly traumatized by today’s limp wristed offensive travesty and am glad I missed it. Wainy does not often get out-pitched. My hat is off to the other guy.
Waino did a great job. He pitched 6 scoreless innings. No BB 6K 6H. His ERA is now down to 1.94. The only thing he didn’t do was win the ballgame. He didn’t lose however, so no harm to him.
I hope Westy changes his mind. I enjoy his analyses.
For what it’s worth, Adam struck out more guys than Hamels (in less innings) and he also induced more grounders than Hamels (3 of which I think ought to have been DPs). Any way we slice it; 6 innings, 6 hits and 0 runs definitely represents a quality outing.
I gotta shut this thing down for at least a half-hour: Severe thunderstorm activity in the Milwaukee area and I’m getting some vivid lightning strikes very, very close to my building!
I’ve been watching a little of the re-broadcast on FSM. Wainy was as good as you say crdswmn. Can’t win them all, I know. Let’s stop the losing streak at one in a row!!
I really wanted Waino to get that 15th win. He will get it next week against the mutts. Waino for the CY!!
He would have caught Jimenez at 15.
Duck and cover 57.
Oswalt Prefers Cardinals. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5402582
I too will miss Westie if he decides to leave. (and not because he was a great foil). His analysis was often insightful but I wont apologize for asking for more evidence than Westie’s self believed mind reading ability when things are stated as fact. I believe much of what Westie thinks has validity but (at least to me) it has little value if the reasoning is only couched in cryptic messages.
I do regret if my rudeness to Westie was a contributing factor. However, I only matched the rudeness he showed me and made a significant effort not to escalate it beyond the level he showed me and even at that waited several months to lower myself to his level.
The fact that Roy Oswalt would like to be a Cardinal is not a recent development: It was no secret more than a month ago, when he first notified the Astros of his desire to be traded to a contender. Seemingly, back then, the biggest obstacle was the degree to which he would agree to restructure his contract. I was so excited about his desire to be with the Cardinals that I inadvisedly suggested that we pursue him. I was quickly informed, under no uncertain terms however, by members of the Cardinal Nation that the idea of an inter-divisional trade was strictly taboo, regardless of how hot the deal could be. I got a similar reaction when it later seemed that Roy’s expense was the greatest issue and dared to subsequently suggest that we pursue his less expensive teammate, Brett Myers.
So it was, that I was shocked when I read this morning’s Post-Dispatch reports of our GM’s intention to negotiate with Oswalt and the insistence of other reporters that a deal was being seriously considered. Now that there is back-pedaling and circumstantial justification for the taboo of inter-divisional trades in this instance, I understand that our budgetary constraints are such that Oswalt will remain much too pricey for us. In fact, regardless of Oswalt’s preference and the Post Dispatch reports, those who I respect most (and whose judgment I endorse) have continued to say that the idea of Oswalt as a Cardinal is absolutely preposterous…
Carioca: I am being sincere when I say that you are as much of an gentleman as you are a scholar. It is no secret that I thoroughly enjoyed the color and take that Westy brought to our forum. It is no secret either that I place a premium on your judgment and your reliance upon statistics (I happen to believe that there is no such thing as an honest-to-God baseball fan who is not a statistics aficionado).
57 – I dont demand irrefutable evidence but i think solid analysis requires at least a minimal attempt to explain that analysis in non cryptic terms.
bb – I believe Arizona controls Johnson for another year.
bb – “limp wristed” ? Talk about name calling
It is preposterous 57. The reasons given against are valid. Bringing in a guy who makes more than our big stars is crazy. Not the way to perk up the clubhouse. Not to mention starting pitching hasn’t been a problem.
But that certainly doesn’t mean it won’t happen. If it does, I’ll still think it’s preposterous.
You can win it all with three great starters and two who manage to not get blown out. I don’t think you can win it all when your middle infield sucks. And by sucks I mean ok defense, sort of, and one guy who can’t play against lefties and the other has been and is an automatic out. What the hell are we talking about starters for? I say address weakness if you address anything at all.
I am not an expert on these things, but my understanding is that the price tag for Oswalt hinges on whether the club who acquires him has to pick up his $16M 2012 option. Sources have said this is a deal breaker for Oswalt. However, there is speculation tonight on ESPN that perhaps Oswalt will give up the 2012 option to come to the Cardinals, which would make the price tag much lower. The question in my mind is what would we have to give up, and would it be worth it? Stay tuned.
Thanks for the kind words 57 though I consider myself neither.
I thought they signed Johnson as a FA for a year. Drew might have another arb year, not sure.
I was suffering from post traumatic shock when I posted that CC. I hope they didn’t read it and get their feelings hurt.
crdswmn, well said.
What can you possibly call an offense which cannot muster more than a single hit in 11 innings, if not “limp wristed”? Regardless of the fact that I love my team, when they behave like fairies. I would tell them, “If the ballet slipper fits, wear it!”
Cripes. I go away to do some work for the day and all heck breaks loose. I don’t get the baiting and the name calling that has been occurring recently, especially today coming on the heels of an eight-game winning streak. Let’s do a better job of conducting ourselves in an adult manner. Thank you.
I swear Brian, I stayed out of it.:)
blingboy: “Duck and cover”, the comforting formula given to me in First Grade in order to survive a nuclear blast, will have about as much efficacy for the doomed Flubs during the next 3 games. I simply must believe that our embarrassed offense will take no prisoners in it’s effort to redeem itself. Methinks the weather will also cooperate for some decent carpet bombing for the other side as well. If we can get each game in, between rain delays, a humid southerly flow will mean, “Katy! Bar the door!”