When the Cardinals started this homestand, they surely didn't envision going 1-5. The Cardinals have fallen on hard times, getting swept by Atlanta and losing 2 of 3 to the Marlins. Now the Cardinals face a crucial series with the Cubs, not so much because they are in danger of losing the National League Central, but because they simply need to right the ship before going on a tough nine game road trip.
Goal #1 will be to improve offensively. In this homestand the Cardinals have scored 2 runs or fewer in four of their six games. The Birds did put up 11 in their win against Florida, but the Cardinals need to be much more consistent with the bats. The Cardinals will face tough pitchers throughout the playoffs, so the bats need to be hot going in.
The Cardinals do not get a break as they will face Cardinal-killer Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano. The Cardinals will throw John Smoltz, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright against those Cubs pitchers.
If the Cardinals can right the ship with their bats, the pitching should come through.
The Cardinals magic number is 8, the smallest of any division leader. Who would have thunk it?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Could Carpenter and Wainwright both win 20?
With Chris Carpenter's one-hit shutout of the Milwaukee Brewers, he improved his record to 16-3 (Cy Young anyone?) and improved his ERA to 2.16, which is best in the majors. The Cardinals n now boast the top two pitchers in the NL in wins (Wainwright with 17 and Carpenter with 16) while four other NL pitchers are tied for third with 14 wins. With 23 games left on the Cardinals regular season schedule, each pitcher should get 4 more starts. Carpenter would have to win 3 of those 4 and Wainwright would have to win all 4, but there is a possibility that both could end the season with 20 wins. It is not likely, but it is possible - which makes you wonder, when was the last time the Cardinals had two 20-game winning pitchers?
1985.
John Tudor went 21-8, Joaquin Andujar went 21-12, and oh by the way, Danny Cox was a not too shabby 18-9. What happened to the '85 Cardinals - you should know if you don't. They got robbed, I mean, beat by the Kansas City Royals in the I-70 World Series in 7 games. A fate that may be very similar for this year's Cardinals. (Beat, not robbed) Let's face it folks, as good as the one-two punch of Carpenter and Wainwright is, teams such as the Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox have similar one-two punches that are just as good, with lineups that are daunting.
Whenever and wherever the Cardinals end their season, one thing is for sure: Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright deserve a lot of the credit for how well this Redbird team is doing, and my guess is that one of them will receive some hardware for their efforts.
Go Cardinals.
1985.
John Tudor went 21-8, Joaquin Andujar went 21-12, and oh by the way, Danny Cox was a not too shabby 18-9. What happened to the '85 Cardinals - you should know if you don't. They got robbed, I mean, beat by the Kansas City Royals in the I-70 World Series in 7 games. A fate that may be very similar for this year's Cardinals. (Beat, not robbed) Let's face it folks, as good as the one-two punch of Carpenter and Wainwright is, teams such as the Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox have similar one-two punches that are just as good, with lineups that are daunting.
Whenever and wherever the Cardinals end their season, one thing is for sure: Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright deserve a lot of the credit for how well this Redbird team is doing, and my guess is that one of them will receive some hardware for their efforts.
Go Cardinals.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Cardinals Bats Pick Up Wainwright's Poor 5th, Cards Reach 80 Wins
Well, maybe Adam Wainwright won't win the Cy Young. Do you think he cares? Things were going splendidly through 4 and 1/2 innings for the Cardinals - the Birds had a 5-0 lead and Adam Wainwright was once again pitching very well. Then something happened that hadn't happened since June 21st - Wainwright gave up more than 2 runs in a game. An amazing run of 13 starts without giving up more than 2 runs was ended when Wainwright gave up a whopping 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th to the Pirates. The Pirates then led 6-5.
How would the team react? Would they pick up their 16 game winning pitcher? Of course they would. Albert Pujols delivered a three-run home run off Denny Bautista, his 43rd of the season and the Cardinals would never relinquish the lead, on their way to a 14-7 drubbing of Pittsburgh.
Adam Wainwright, even with the poor performance improves his record to 17-7 and continues to lead the majors in wins.
The star of the evening, however was Ryan Ludwick, who was a triple away from the cycle and had 2 home runs, 2 doubles and a single (13 total bases - wow), along with 5 RBI's.
The Cards improve their record to 80-56 and are now 11.5 games above the 2nd place Chicago Cubs. The Cubs don't even deserve to be in second place, having only a 67-66 record. Shameful. With the division race all but over, the Cardinals have their sights set on the National League's beast record. If the Dodgers lose this evening, the Cardinals would be tied for the best record in the NL.
The Cardinals are on an amazing run. Since July 26th, the Cardinals are 27-8, which is better than a .750 clip. In series versus other teams, the Cardinals are 10-0-1 in that span (they split a two-game series with the Mets). That after going a mediocre 53-48 to begin the season.
The additions of Holliday, DeRosa and Lugo have proved to be very positive for this team, and has given them a shot in the arm that will hopefully carry them to the World Series. But let's not count our chickens just yet.
How would the team react? Would they pick up their 16 game winning pitcher? Of course they would. Albert Pujols delivered a three-run home run off Denny Bautista, his 43rd of the season and the Cardinals would never relinquish the lead, on their way to a 14-7 drubbing of Pittsburgh.
Adam Wainwright, even with the poor performance improves his record to 17-7 and continues to lead the majors in wins.
The star of the evening, however was Ryan Ludwick, who was a triple away from the cycle and had 2 home runs, 2 doubles and a single (13 total bases - wow), along with 5 RBI's.
The Cards improve their record to 80-56 and are now 11.5 games above the 2nd place Chicago Cubs. The Cubs don't even deserve to be in second place, having only a 67-66 record. Shameful. With the division race all but over, the Cardinals have their sights set on the National League's beast record. If the Dodgers lose this evening, the Cardinals would be tied for the best record in the NL.
The Cardinals are on an amazing run. Since July 26th, the Cardinals are 27-8, which is better than a .750 clip. In series versus other teams, the Cardinals are 10-0-1 in that span (they split a two-game series with the Mets). That after going a mediocre 53-48 to begin the season.
The additions of Holliday, DeRosa and Lugo have proved to be very positive for this team, and has given them a shot in the arm that will hopefully carry them to the World Series. But let's not count our chickens just yet.
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