With the holiday weekend almost upon us, focus is on family and friends (with some baseball mixed in, hopefully). Here are some of the items on my current to-do list, with several already crossed off. New blog entries fall to the bottom of the priority list – unless it is a post about not posting!
Done
FOXSportsMidwest.com
My weekly column is entitled “The Cardinals’ Starlin is Rising,” with the focus being new Palm Beach second baseman Starlin Rodriguez. I also provide updates on minor league signings and more news.
Memphis Redbirds Notebook: 2011 Week 12
The Cardinals’ Triple-A club managed a split at first-place Omaha and return home with Adron Chambers on fire at the plate. (The Cardinal Nation subscriber article.)
Tampa Bay Rays series preview
My friend and Rays expert Jason Collette of DRaysBay.com and Baseball Prospectus provides an in-depth look at the St. Louis Cardinals’ weekend opponent, the Tampa Bay Rays. This audio interview is available for The Cardinal Nation subscribers.
Cardinals player “Hot News” items
The Cardinal Nation is often the first place to report player moves across the minor league system as well as explaining their ramifications. We have several dozen “hot news” items each week. Today is no exception with news on Cody Stanley, Kleininger Teran, Kyle Deese and more for TCN subscribers. Basic information on the moves themselves is added to the free Roster Matrix here usually within 24 hours.
In progress
Cardinal Talk on KXnO FOX Sports Radio
My usual Friday afternoon segment with Ken Miller and Jim Brinson of KXnO FOX Sports Radio 1460 in Des Moines will be at 5:30 P.M. CDT today on the air and streamed via KXnO.com. (As always, I will also post the audio for The Cardinal Nation subscribers this evening.)
Fantasy column at Mastersball.com
My weekly fantasy baseball-oriented column runs each Saturday at Mastersball.com. I expect this week’s article to have considerable Cardinals-related content.
The Cardinal Nation June Player of the Month
Look for my free article coming that will announce the top player across the Cardinals minor league system this past month. Our Pitcher of the Month has already been disclosed.
Gulf Coast League Cardinals Notebook: 2011 Week 2
Good news and bad. The Cardinal Nation has a new writer, Paul Ivice, who is the official scorer for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals and has years of professional writing experience. His first first-hand report on many of the newest Cardinals ran last weekend for subscribers.
The bad? Paul is off this weekend so I will be sitting in.
Cardinals Minor League Notebook: 07/02/11
Our daily recapper of all Cardinals minor league action each day, Josh Jones, is taking a day off tomorrow as well, so it looks like I will be writing the daily site notebook for Saturday morning. These are also subscriber-only.
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let me take a little off your back there brian…not taking the day off, milb notebook as usual
Josh Jones spends a tremendous amount of time each day preparing these Minor League Notebooks, with more detail about the players each day than you can find anywhere short of reading eight different boxscores. Also check out his Cardinals Best News Links, where you can read summaries of all the major Cardinals-related news each day and links to each article. Another great time saver and you will find articles you would have surely missed otherwise.
Yeah, it’s definitely great stuff that you ought to be reading if you aren’t already.
Pujols returning sooner than later.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_94b0b094-a4cb-11e0-94b4-0019bb30f31a.html
That DBacks series guesstimation makes me nervous. Sitting till after the ASB would be more prudent?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to get him back sooner than the 4-6 weeks that was originally stated, just don’t want this to turn into another Holliday scenario where he comes back too soon.
“immediately after the All-Star break,…. if not before,…… according to sources familiar with the situation.”
Wow……………. if he’s active………………he could be the All-star starter…………… now the games begin……….. the team will nose dive………….. the plus….he will be guarding that injury……… Should it become a problem it will cost him big time…………so that means he will be trying compensate with his right side …hand a wrist too………… thats going to help his average…………. BD’s gamble?……..there isn’t one……….he loses a few dollars in insurance compensation………. AP/Lozano are illuminating their perception of the playing field………..see what you can notice about the playing conditions……..
awe shucks, and I saw it as a guy just wanting to get back to playing ball and helping his team.
“Nose Dive”? Seriously?
okay…..Anyways, lineup:
Punto SS
Jay RF
Holliday DH
Berkman LF
Freese 1B
Molina C
Descalso 3B
Schumaker 2B
I like the left side of the infield. You left out Rasmus CF hitting between Freese and Molina.
yeah……thanks BB.
No balls should get to LF
If Desclaso could play second then i would like the left side, right side and outfield. Can Descalso not play second? then Skip could play leftfield, Berkman at first on the dirt and Freese at 3rd. So Allen Craig is an option at second base but not Descalso. Freese has looked good to me playing third, Descalso may be better, but is worth putting 3 other guys out of their best position. (2 if you consider Skip a better second baseman than outfielder).
To answer my own question, Descalso is much better definsively at 3rd base than 2nd base. In fact, Skip may be as good if not a little better at 2nd base. Hopefully Puma can lounge out in left field for a few innings.
Its not as simple as it looks……….or without purpose………. Berkman is the bait…Danny D. is trap…they want their RH hitters to turn it over trying to pull KMac……….beating Berkman down the line…….. that tells you that they will be trying to keep the ball low and away against Longoria and company.
wild guess………….
Great gravatar, T8Ball. I am impressed.
I was going to ask what it said, I am reading from my phone.
64 WS program guide. Cards/Yanks
Thanks, Brian.
“”"”"The Cardinals are likely to proceed cautiously, however, and may….. urge…… Pujols to take advantage of the All-Star break before returning……………….
Urge………..Pujols?……………. we had an option on Franklin?………………… these press release are a joke…………….who is doing the evaluations at this point? if there are points of contention……… where is this being dealt with………..and how/why…………… are they inviting AP to chance making himself a complete idiot……….. if it swells again……..or is painful……who shuts him down to let this team win the division………. will he need surgery before all is said and done………..
Bottom line………..whats the hurry……why take chances…..especially with a player that might be with you for 10 more years……………….. the answer……he isn’t……..they know it…he knows it…….. he believes that the talk and hype around the All-Star game is just to much free advertising ….to miss…….. he’s only going to have to bat once…maybe play a few inning in the field………… he needs this so that he can get the votes between now and Sunday to guarantee his role…………. First place teams don’t need distraction……or take risks……..
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 3,358,432
Prince Fielder, Brewers: 2,903,584
Joey Votto, Reds: 2,832,857
Ryan Howard, Phillies: 1,881,711
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 702,911
Prediction: Despite his injury and guarantee to miss the game, Albert Pujols will be voted in as a starter (in name only). Prince Fielder has been enjoying a remarkable season and deserves a better fate. While Prince will go to Arizona, it will be as a substitute for Pujols. The lead is just too large and Pujols has too strong of a name recognition for Prince to overcome.
BB, the old school uni’s are going to let the holdouts see how fast and quick the socks/stirrups are and they are all gonna go with those from here on out. My prediction
The cuff draggers would be wearing their cap sideways if they could. Gold chains weighting them down.
Check out Tampas socks. They have the sanitary white socks under the stirrups. That is old school and I like it. The Cardinals soccer socks look pathetic to me.
Matt did a nice job beating out the bouncer. Not putting the player name on the back of the jersey saves weight. Smart.
Bingo……………..
But they wouldn’t sell as well
both Descalso and Skip took big ..roundhouse……….professional…..surprising power swings….
Damon goes up an slaps a hit……………. Descalso really wants to be though of as a 3rd baseman…..
we went through this last year with Skip and Brendan………….it is MM weakness and he has no apparent oversight………….we have no roll players…………
So happy to see some classic Yadi tonight.
Kmac is pounding them in………….thats a thrill ride………………
There announcers are shredding Jays hitting technique………….no kidding…….he is back to full circus
The philosophical hitting criteria that allows for that freedom………doesn’t exist………….. it assumes somehow that Jay could not achieve similar or better results with some sort of sane approach……….. as a property of the Cardinals……who is allowing that to occur………. has to be between MM allowing TLR.
Wasn’t there supposed to be a big boycott of the All-Star game by hispanic players? What ever happened to that?
I love this team! To be in 1st place with all the injuries and Franklin not able to produce is nothing short of amazing.
This has been quite a wild ride of a year so far. I have a coworker who is a trash talking Brewer fan. He has been uncharacteristically quiet this week.
Berkman has a loose grip until its time to pull the handle……nice compact swing…full extension……he should be working with Jay ……….not MM……..
Prediction. Lance gets one more tonight, Albert will be in Tampa with his glove by tomorrow.
Bongo…………
I have to hand it to you two. You both predicted Pujols Lazarus like recovery if things started going well. Amazing!
I smile every time Puma does something. My dad has always had a man crush on him. He was extremely happy when they signed him and predicted he would be rejuvenated in St. Louis. Looks like the old man got this one right.
No matter how you look at it………baseball sense says that ball has to leave the infield with 1 out………………..you don’t go down for that pitch unless you are lifting it…………….. Skip locks his jaw……and plays contact baseball…………most college teams would have you riding pine if you did that…………………….
Some here wonder why Cardinal starter wear out…………………. KMac is stressing every pitch trying to hold a 1 run lead………doing his Job……….while his team mates try to make news reels…….
Tony…..is completely absent……….no way he’s going to put a play on…even though he put Descaslo and Skip at the end for that very reason………………PROBABLY…….because neither can’t bunt……….
Matt was pissed because the ump flew out at him and just called it without an appeal………the guy did do it with attitude….wrongly……………….Matt is bending his knee’s more today…his is more athletic when he does……….
Twins have jumped out to 7-0 lead on Brewers. They are now in 5th. On the downside Narveson’s performance is really hurting my fantasy stats.
This is a good job by KMac………………..we really need to play for a run or two……… we need 3 don’t we…to get by the BP handicap…………….. he’s at 60
Dave went out late………..scolding………… that tells you a little bit about why he didn’t go out earlier when Kotchman was coming up……..suggesting that it was a maturity issue….they wanted him to gather himself……………well………they lost that play………the HR was predictable……….. now what…….no pressure on the hitters now…………..
Jay has the walk……………..but elects to swing the count Cardinal style…MM…….. never shortened up… the fly OPO was just late protecting the upper strike Zone…………. a poor AB…………..
Holiday getting no extension away……….just weak foul balls……….had a great pitch to drive there…..couldn’t time his kick……hands out of sync……… if we let these guys add on…….they will be tough tomorrow…………….
Miller gets it done again……………. if this gets away……..they will be -135 tomorrow……..
I rest Holiday tomorrow………move Berkman to third and play small ball………
Berkman out of the game with just a 4 run deficit??????????? I’ll tell you why……Tony is more worried about the humiliating precedent of just walking Berkman and playing against the rest……..and Tony now knows that they will do it……..he won’t see anything tomorrow……. they will just pitch around him….
Tony could have contributed more today………..but didn’t……….. you decide……
We did not see dominating pitching today………… maybe just the mention of AP’s return unnerved the youngsters………………Danny D looks like he’s ready to burst out in tears………..
Tampa should get a loss for being out of uniform.
http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/jun/22/4/rays-eliminate-cigar-from-tampa-smokers-throwback–ar-239172/
enjoy the Brewers score………… 4 in the ninth to win…………
Not a great night for Cardinals fans. Mac will never make it to the end of the season if he doesn’t figure out a way to get past the 6th inning. Westbrook figured it out.
John Jay has been looking kind of peaked at the plate lately. We have the Reds coming so we need all our guns working. Must do better tomorrow.
TAM -135 +160 Told ya…………. they don’t see how we are going to score………..
Tony’s use of Berkman everywhere but first……….. they will figure Cruz to catch….or a very tired Molina…………. Holiday looking anemic………….. they see Lohse giving up 4…………. watching Tony work today……….. I can’t help but notice how distracted he seems……….. His future is joined to the holy one. He knows the money isn’t down yet…………Cardinal role players aren’t being coached…..skip gets a couple hits with a controlled swing……after its over…….Descaslo/////unshaven pouting….taking his chances for the spotlight ….. hoping to stick……. Punto seemed overly stressed………. these guys have a blueprint for our idiotic style now…….. If we see the same players……we will loose. Lohse can’t avoid that power without a lead………. they won’t pitch to Berkman………whose gonna do it?
Kmac pitched great CRD………………. his temperament has never been one to carry the load himself……….. and he shouldn’t of had to…….this team choked from Tony all the way down…….Berkman is completely independent of this group…….like AP likes to be…… he is feeding freely. I could see no reason for Descalso’s breakdown at the plate today……..or Tony, never calling a play to get that 3 run lead ………….. I do believe the Pujols story had an adverse effect on everyone. They know the implications ….on their livelihoods……………
Molina finally leveled his bat………that helped……. Rays won that division last year……they execute the game well………. we will need at least 3 by the 4th…likely 5 to win……..lets watch…….
It might be that 5 is all KMac can go with an injured hip. Lucky the altered motion he and DD worked out allows him to do that, for now. Some kind of tandam start might be the thing. Him going 5, then Lynn or Boggs.
Jay is experiencing being an everyday MLB player. Opponants have a better line on him now. Wouldn’t be surprising if he fades like last year except sooner. Hope he can adjust and suck it up.
Dan is a hand at 3B. Does well enough with the stick for a rookie. He looks like part of the future to me. Everyday middle infield next year. Good backup for Freese.
Jay is going out of his way to avoid walking. Unless one is an unusually talented player, that leads to losing one’s job before long. There is no reason to give the man pitches to hit. None. Skip is no better this season.
Good point. That one AB of Jay’s last night was a good example.
KMac has a very “specific” body language when he is stressed and coming unglued. He exhibited all of these in the 6th. That is the time young starters just want the lead and to be finished…….get past that pressure of a one run lead…….. I was amazed that Dave didn’t go out when these traits became apparent…….2 on………… then we watched him load the bases…….get behind….throw it down the middle….clear the bases…… and now Dave comes out….scolds….. and lets him know that he is fine and just except contact and trust your locations………….. and then the center cut death blow………..
KMac has had this issue forever. There is a direct correlation from your numbers……to your arbitration posture………..and the lifestyle fulfillments…………. it tough………. he knows how precarious a lead is when you are relying on so much of speed stuff…………
Bottom line………….Tony is in a teaching mode…….. he is willing to make a statement that creates the changes he needs………. which is pressuring the front office……..he ran a test on Valdes last night…could he do the job?????…………. Miller is likely the new Franklin……he’s finished…….
Kmac as a BP guy, is really the key to the season………. we can’t buy one…….. he makes it happen along with the young arms……… whether you see it or not…….. Tony is trying to build a low scoring flag ship for AP and himself probably……….it has to able to win with limited fire power……..