At the worst possible time, the St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of their lowest run-scoring ten-game stretch of the 2010 season.
As many fans know too well, the St. Louis Cardinals have been enduring a period of scoring futility that has put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
Over their last ten games, the club has won just three, hardly the kind of push that would be expected to take them over the top. During that time, the Cardinals have been outscored 49-27. St. Louis plated 30 percent of the total, eight of the 27, in a single game, Monday’s series-opening win in Milwaukee.
The paltry sum of 27 runs represents the Cardinals’ lowest-scoring ten-game stretch during any point this season – at least to date.
With the assistance of researcher Tom Orf, we find that this is the 30th time in Tony La Russa’s 15 years as Cardinals manager that the team has scored 27 or fewer runs over a ten-game period. It is the first time this season after five different occurrences during 2009.
What is unique about 2010 is that this is the latest point in the season for such a low-scoring stretch during La Russa’s entire Cardinals tenure.
None of the 29 earlier offensive shortfalls occurred in any part during the month of September as does the current streak.
In the following table, a ten-game period that overlapped two months is accounted as a half in each.
Cardinals ten-game periods of 27 or fewer runs by month, 1996-current
| Month | # |
| September | 0.5 |
| August | 8.5 |
| July | 6.5 |
| June | 3 |
| May | 7 |
| April | 4.5 |
| Total | 30 |
While this is the worst run-scoring period this season, it pales in comparison to the ten games from April 27 through May 8, 2007 during which the Cardinals plated just 19 runs. That is their worst showing under La Russa.
Cardinals ten-game periods of 27 or fewer runs by runs scored, 1996-current
| Runs | Times |
| 19 | 1 |
| 20 | 0 |
| 21 | 1 |
| 22 | 4 |
| 23 | 1 |
| 24 | 3 |
| 25 | 6 |
| 26 | 4 |
| 27 | 10 |
| Total | 30 |
Looking at the yearly distribution, we see that the Cardinals only had one such streak during the four-year period of 2003-06 and just five over the nine years of 1998-2006.
Cardinals ten-game periods of 27 or fewer runs by year, 1996-current
| Year | # |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1997 | 11 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| Total | 30 |
Here are the details of all 30.
Cardinals ten-game periods of 27 or fewer runs, 1996-current
| Start | End | Game 1 # | Game 10 # | W | - | L | Runs scored | Runs against | |
| 8/28/2010 | 9/7/2010 | 127 | - | 136 | 3 | - | 7 | 27 | 49 |
| 5/12/2009 | 5/22/2009 | 33 | - | 42 | 5 | - | 5 | 27 | 32 |
| 6/24/2009 | 7/3/2009 | 73 | - | 82 | 4 | - | 6 | 27 | 49 |
| 5/16/2009 | 5/25/2009 | 36 | - | 45 | 5 | - | 5 | 26 | 23 |
| 6/23/2009 | 7/2/2009 | 72 | - | 81 | 4 | - | 6 | 23 | 45 |
| 6/22/2009 | 7/1/2009 | 71 | - | 80 | 3 | - | 7 | 22 | 49 |
| 5/2/2007 | 5/13/2007 | 26 | - | 35 | 5 | - | 5 | 26 | 36 |
| 4/28/2007 | 5/9/2007 | 23 | - | 32 | 4 | - | 6 | 25 | 53 |
| 4/24/2007 | 5/5/2007 | 19 | - | 28 | 3 | - | 7 | 25 | 68 |
| 4/25/2007 | 5/6/2007 | 20 | - | 29 | 4 | - | 6 | 25 | 59 |
| 4/30/2007 | 5/11/2007 | 24 | - | 33 | 4 | - | 6 | 24 | 52 |
| 4/26/2007 | 5/7/2007 | 21 | - | 30 | 3 | - | 7 | 22 | 60 |
| 4/27/2007 | 5/8/2007 | 22 | - | 31 | 3 | - | 7 | 19 | 56 |
| 4/22/2004 | 5/2/2004 | 16 | - | 25 | 5 | - | 5 | 27 | 32 |
| 7/31/2002 | 8/10/2002 | 104 | - | 113 | 2 | - | 8 | 25 | 54 |
| 7/30/2002 | 8/9/2002 | 103 | - | 112 | 2 | - | 8 | 25 | 50 |
| 5/31/2000 | 6/10/2000 | 52 | - | 61 | 3 | - | 7 | 27 | 45 |
| 6/23/1998 | 7/3/1998 | 75 | - | 84 | 2 | - | 8 | 27 | 58 |
| 7/27/1997 | 8/5/1997 | 103 | - | 112 | 3 | - | 7 | 27 | 43 |
| 6/30/1997 | 7/12/1997 | 80 | - | 89 | 5 | - | 5 | 27 | 35 |
| 8/3/1997 | 8/13/1997 | 110 | - | 119 | 2 | - | 8 | 27 | 45 |
| 4/16/1997 | 4/27/1997 | 13 | - | 22 | 4 | - | 6 | 26 | 30 |
| 7/26/1997 | 8/4/1997 | 102 | - | 111 | 4 | - | 6 | 26 | 39 |
| 8/2/1997 | 8/12/1997 | 109 | - | 118 | 3 | - | 7 | 25 | 41 |
| 7/28/1997 | 8/6/1997 | 104 | - | 113 | 2 | - | 8 | 24 | 43 |
| 7/30/1997 | 8/8/1997 | 106 | - | 115 | 2 | - | 8 | 24 | 41 |
| 7/29/1997 | 8/7/1997 | 105 | - | 114 | 1 | - | 9 | 22 | 45 |
| 7/31/1997 | 8/9/1997 | 107 | - | 116 | 2 | - | 8 | 22 | 37 |
| 8/1/1997 | 8/10/1997 | 108 | - | 117 | 2 | - | 8 | 21 | 43 |
| 8/18/1996 | 8/28/1996 | 124 | - | 133 | 3 | - | 7 | 27 | 46 |
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I’s sad and frustrating. I wish I knew the reason.
LINEUP Greene 2B, Rasmus CF, Pujols 1B, Holliday LF, Stavinoha RF, Feliz 3B, Ryan SS, Pagnozzi C, Garcia P
That … is not a fearsome lineup.
Maybe there is no consistency in the offense because there is no consistency in the lineup.
Agreed Nut. Just for fun, what would be your ‘fearsome’ lineup?
Earlier today, I heard Jack Clark saying that last year, one of the guys giving Colby a realy hard time was Ankiel. I hadn’t heard that, at least I don’t remember it. Ankiel was one of Tony’s favorites, getting a lot of playing time without ever producing anything.
Green will have some special instructions………..Colby?………. Pagnozzi is interesting……..with Garcia.
Molina’s move to 5th last night must have impressed. They will have drilled Pagno but a Westbrooke start seems more logical for him…………………….Rewarding Colby for “being good boy” i is apparent…………
Too bad Jay wasn’t on when Albert homered.
Good AB by Pujols………..I think he was getting ready to go OPO and the guy hangs a change up that he has time to reset on……………good thing happen when your doing the right thing.
Greene…….not so much………OPO anyway……..
Errors Errors Errors.
Thank God this one didn’t hurt.
Well, if Stav, Feliz, Ryan didn’t lay some ‘fear’ on them, maybe next inning Pags, Garcia and Greene will have them sweating.
BB,,,,,,,,,, sure going to be discouraged next year when you look out on that field………..they will get Feliz cheap……………same team…………
Just can’t believe it.
The Baseball Gods hate the Cardinals.
I’m sure that this was Tony’s point about targeting Lohse…………Garcia is throwing great stuff, and they string a few………….offense has to support……………
Pujols and Holiday going for the big fly…………we suck.
Hr’s happen………….they are a product of a bad pitch 75% of the time………..trying to convert the 25% that aren’t bad pitches is a fools errand for hitters like Dunn and Howard………..Pujols should know better……….Holiday now doesn’t give a damn.
Why does this happen?
Look at the Brewers………….will the Cardinals allow Garcia to blow the rookie of the year ERA?
If we have Feliz on the opening day roster, I will drive to KC and watch the Royals.
It sounds like Freese just has bad wheels and that’s all there is to it. Good thing they are fast tracking Cox. Westy, maybe you could get a look at him in AFL. Its only what, 800 miles or so?
I have to take a break. Check back later.
Its already set BB…………….They won’t sign Pujols out front…………all the non moves will be attributed to their developing negotiating posture…………AP can’t say a word, least it costs him……..they will have everyone excited by that time………….
I’ve always liked KC. Can get a great steak there.
There is a fun article in the NY Times.
“It’s the gift that keeps on taking. The old Giants Stadium, demolished to make way for New Meadowlands Stadium, still carries about $110 million in debt, or nearly $13 for every New Jersey resident, even though it is now a parking lot. ”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sports/08stadium.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=KEN%20BELSON%20&st=cse
Colby isn’t developing the bat head. He is still pulling his hands right through, everything is targeted way out front………..the pitchers are just using him. Albert is getting good extension. He wouldn’t have touched that ball in June………………..Matt is a joke……….. you will see a little flack in the vicinity of MM in coming weeks………….. and deservedly……….
Didn’t Colby get another opo dink to left like Tony likes?
Pags is trying to crouch like Albert.
On KFNS today (a local sports talk radio station) they were having a poll where you text in to say if Tony should come back, yes or no. They were cracking up because everybody that responded said no, not a single yes. They tend to draw a tough crowd though.
Boy Atlanta sure must be happy about a chance to catch their breath…………..I don’t see any future for many of these players………………… sorry……………… Think off how this will look in November and December………………… An AP team with Holiday languishing behind him………. and supporting cast.
If BD can’t get anything for them………he is gonna keep most of them……….. Torre would never come in here with out some guarantee of a commitment…………..love to see that though.
Love it………..Reds crash and we have nothing………………. Crap like Garcia and Lohse…………AP seems up beat though………that’s a good thing……….
I see it is mercifully over. I never turned it back on. The Reds are getting clobbered. I’m sorry Jaime had a bad night. He’ll bounce back.
WC–Jaime is not crap. What is wrong with you?
He was tonight crdswmn, unfortunatly that’s all that matters.
He has a bad night and suddenly he is crap? I guess that means Carp and Waino are crap as well?
You are correct, crdswmn, Garcia is definitely not “crap” (not by ANY stretch of the imagination). blingboy is correct, that he was “crap” tonight, but only in the sense of having a bad outing. The best pitchers are allowed a few bad outings each season: Didn’t Wainwright and Carpenter also have more than a couple bad outings this past season?
Jaime Garcia is “crap” only in the sick mind of a megalomaniac whose delusions have convinced him that he knows more than anyone else. Having lurked for the past month, I can plainly see that there are only two “contributing” to this blog who have no interest in any ideas, but their own. All the others, including the writer who owns the blog, appear to be content to share ideas, opinions and observations.
I guess I was talking about his performance tonight, not him or his past performances. He is the winningest lefty in the league, but the second best lefty starting tonight, distant second.
I usually have no problems with WC’s observations, though I don’t agree with most of them. But referring to Jaime as “crap’ is beyond the pale. BB-I agree Jaime was not good tonight but the context in which WC made his comment suggested to me that he meant more than just tonight.
Westie called Albert a “cancer” during one especially lunatic rave of the past. Sometimes Westie’s overwrought mind seems to get all mussed up.
The next time someone impugns the sterling character of Albert Pujols, ask yourself how much of that person’s income (proportionately) is given to worthy humanitarian causes. The people who attempt to bring down the great ones are those who have no idea of what it means to identify with Roberto Clemente.
This has been a very disappointing season, no question. But sometimes, for me, the negativity is way beyond proportion.
The CNblog is a generally permissive place. Westie is its resident nut job.
I generally ignore him, but he crosses the line when he shows insufficient respect to Albert.
The Owner knows that the gate draw is chiefly Albert Pujols and secondarily a winning team. As long as he, Mozeliak and Luhnow orchestrate a balance whereby the team plays above .500, the stadium will continue to be filled and the bills will continue to be paid.
Regardless of whether the Owner and General Manager are deserving of Albert Pujols, in him I believe that they derive a sense of decency and virtue which is lacking in themselves. In Albert Pujols, they also derive a great deal of revenue. Albert Pujols, in their minds, is a virtual cash cow which will not be sacrificed upon the altar of a winning team. They will do all in their power, under that circumstance, to produce a World Series contender, but they will do much more to retain all that Albert Pujols means to them.
BB, I’m not sure that this team can field a fearsome lineup, but only their starting 2-3-4 hitters weren’t AAA caliber. This is not a playoff team.
I agree about Albert. Tony LaRussa on the other hand is an overbearing despot. I don’t care how many winning teams he has put together he obviously can no longer. If he returns next season, any hopes for a playoff caliber team will be gone.
I agee with you, crdswmn, about LaRussa and I am also in total agreement with Nutlaw and BB about the Cardinals’ lack of a supporting cast for Pujols and Holliday.
Colby, Albert and Matt are our only offensive weapons. Yadi and Brendan are needed for defense. Carp, Waino, and Jaime are the pitching weapons. That is our core that we keep. Management needs to shore up the team everywhere else in the off season.
I can’t argue with you, crdswmn. I also believe that another Manager (preferably a former Catcher like Joe Torre or Ted Simmons) would not have allowed for the trading of Ludwick and would have led the existing team into the postseason (it is debatable whether or not they would have reached the World Series).
Whoever the Manager will be next season (God forbid that LaRussa would stay on!), imagine Bruce Sutter as the Pitching Coach!
Folks, let’s disagree with other posters’ views without flaming them.
Sutter would be a good choice. Mark McGwire has to go. Oquendo is fine in his current capacity.
Mark McGwire not only represents damaged goods, his sub .270 lifetime average does not suggest the calibre of hitting prowess that I would want imparted upon impressionable minds. And since the team’s level of respect for Oquendo is in question, I am hoping for a complete change of Manager and coaching staff.
I don’t think Joe Torre would be a good fit. His management style is too similar to LaRussa’s. I am hoping they can find someone who can motivate the players without beating them down.
I agree with you about Joe Torre, but only with regard to his ability to motivate and control the behavior of young millionaires. He is old school in that regard and a whole ‘nuther school of managerial thinking is in order for the players of the present day.
Perhaps someone we have in the minors would be a choice. I am not familiar with that staff so I can make no suggestions. Someone like Brian would know better than me if we have any options there.
Perhaps (hopefully) we will eventually arrive at such considerations as early as the winter meetings of December. We need first to be refreshed and relieved with LaRussa’s assurance that he will not be back.
Those assurances could not come quick enough for me.
I heartily agree – without going into the myriad reasons for firmly believing that LaRussa should go.
I believe that the reasons for the inconsistency and underachievement can be largely traced to the manner in which the talent has been mismanaged and abused. The same crew would otherwise be in first place by at least ten games.
As for this season, it is over as far as the playoffs are concerned. I would be severely disappointed if Waino is again overlooked for the Cy Young. The Reds are playing one more with the Rox. We have Waino on the mound tomorrow against Atlanta. He has vowed not to lose again, and I take him at his word.
I can’t say they would be in first by that margin, but they would have played much better and would have had a better shot at winning the division.
I will be happy if Wainwright finishes with 20 wins, even if our offense will not allow him to fulfill his promise. The hitter from the Rockies is stealing Triple Crown consideration from both Pujols and Votto. If Colorado manages to win the west, that same hitter will steal MVP consideration from Votto too!
If Pujols can not win it, I would rather it be Gonzalez than Votto.
Speaking of stealing, I’ve stolen the past two hours from my clients! It’s been great chatting with you. I hope to tune-in tomorrow, if the workload permits: Through thick and thin, I’ve been a Cardinals fan ever since 1980.
It has been a pleasure talking to you EP.
Nice try 57…I mean 80…………………. I was being facetious about Jamie………….in many ways he is our best pitcher. Those that “Target a player” because of their performance against any team need walk cautiously…..according to Tony.
Garcia had outstanding stuff tonight…………if hitters are guessing you, life can be tough. Possible rhythm problems with Pagnozzi………..???????????
Its possible to spend a lot of money on things in this world……….. A-Rod releases Boras????????? Not really. He just gave up his financial services, which can go as high as 220,000 grand a year for the full package. He doesn’t need an agent at this point………which means he might be getting married again. Ticklish subject.
Anyone know how much Albert’s taxes are????????? and how a foundation is put together???? He does good work……….which costs allot less than you might think when the checks are written……..its the intention that’s most important and his I’m sure are very high…………baseball is a funny business that way………….
Be careful CRD………someone here knows more about lipstick and nylons than you I’d wager.
E tu BB…………………….. thanks for everything Brian. I guess I’ll be moving on……………….
Thanks for tuning in all. WC over and out……….. and RC……….its a pretty swing……..pretty easy to pitch to I should say. He’s pressing back less and less……more tension each at bat…dreaming of the a pitch that seems down right easy to avoid throwing.
This is a strange board sometimes. So easy to be anonymous but that is the wonderful (or not so wonderful) thing about the internet.
To the subject of baseball, I had a dream last night that I woke up to the news the TLR had resigned.
Back to reality, I was thinking last night that if I were the manager, this is the lineup I would have every day—Schumaker-Jay-Pujols-Holliday-Rasmus-Molina-Feliz-Ryan-Pitcher. And I would stick to this lineup regardless if the pitcher were a lefty, a righty, or a guy who pitches on his head with his feet. Other guys would be used as PH’s or fill ins for injury or illness. This offense can not learn to play together unless they actually play together. This seems like a no brainer. How many other managers play musical chairs with the lineup like LaRussa does? It may have worked in the past but this is not the past and it is time to change. Welcome to crdswmn’s guide to baseball management
I want to make it crystal clear that no posters here should be trying to make others feel unwelcome.
WC,
tony.rasmus.iv@gmail.com
Do you a facebook search using that and we can continue on our conversation.
lineup—Skip 2B, Winn RF, Pujols 1B, Holliday LF, Rasmus CF, Molina C, Feliz 3B, Wainwright P, Ryan SS. Tony just never gets it. Sigh.
I hope I have never made anyone feel unwelcome. If I have I apologize. This is a tough time for Redbird fans.
Reds got swept.
Although I am guilty of “flaming” one particular person, supposing that I echoed an opinion held by at least 2 others, I will honor the owner’s demand for civility. I will dismiss the evident confusion of your “57″ with myself as a matter of writing style similarity, rather than an insult. I reside at the base of Mount Shasta, near the city of Redding and do chiefly transcription work for a number of Physicians. Even though the city is supported by a sizable Medical Center, the northern Sacramento Valley itself is “Cowboy Country”: We have a number of cattle and horse ranches around here. Contrary to the eccentric image that your “WestCoast” may have given you of downstate California, we are predominantly conservative, not only in these parts, but also throughout the San Juaquin Valley (which is the southern-half of the Central Valley).
As I have indicated, I have been eavesdropping for the past month and I am wading-in with open eyes. Owing to all the commitments which arise from my work, I will not be able to contribute regularly, but for as long as I feel welcome, I am hoping that the blog will be a place where I can enjoy the fellowship of others who follow the St. Louis Cardinals. If my views do not correspond with others who post, I promise to address their positions with appreciation and respect.
The placement of LaRussa and Cox in perspective is rather interesting. During the past 25 years, despite the fact that Tony LaRussa has managed 36 games more than Bobby Cox (3874 vs 3838), he has won 36 games less (2102 vs 2138) and lost 74 games more (1772 vs 1698). Despite the fact that Tony LaRussa has 1 more WS Championship than Bobby Cox, he has led the Cardinals to 3 less Divisional Championships (12 vs 15).
I won’t be able to watch the game this afternoon, but I am hoping that the offense will support Wainwright’s promise and that the Cardinals will capitlize on Cincinnati’s loss.
There is no reason to be thin skinned in a venue like this. If somebody has a need to be loved by all, well, good luck.
Yah crdswmn, the lineup, wow.
I ain’t sayin nothin.
Okay I’ll say something. Go Redbirds!
If we could just count on some pitching.
Yeah, that pitching is a problem.
That inning didn’t bode well.
At least they are adding on. Gotta keep doing it.
Great. Matt why didn’t you keep your mouth shut?
Wussy umpire. He was walking away!
I missed what happened with Matt.
Called 3rd strike was way outside. Matt shook his head and walked away. When he was 7-10 feet away the ump tossed him because he threw his helmet. Unnecessary ejection.
Skippy thinks he is in the playoffs.
Waino is bringing it.
I predict Colby gets ‘a day off’ tomorrow.
Waino is smellin blood.
Winn was totally overmatched.
Colby is just showing off.
Good to see Rasmus get going. Is TLR there tonight?
Waino is a God. 18!!!!
Colby’s AB in the 6th against the lefty was as good as it gets, resulting in the two run single.
I guess that Colby really does prefer playing in Atlanta to playing in St. Louis…