Keeping You Informed: Special Cardinal Programming
21 hours ago
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Cards need spark rather than leader come lately
With all that has gone on with the Reds in the last series at Great American Ball Park, this weekend set should provide plenty of emotion and spark, something the Cardinals seem to guard against as SOP.
Getting too high or low during the season has its drawbacks, but making an effort to disregard the natural emotions of the game can have the effect displayed by the Cardinals for over a month: Disregarding natural high and low emotion flattens out a team as far as leadership and puts the team in a position where anyone who suddenly steps up can look like "Leader Come Lately."
The Reds provided the much-needed spark last series, but the Cardinals stomped it out themselves.
Guarding against highs and lows is an arguable strategy for a long season, but the season is not long for an end now, so the advice is that if there is any kind of occurrence which provides a spark of any kind whatsoever, to take said spark and fan it into some flames. If not, October will be much colder than we'd all hoped.
Sweep or be swept
If there's any chance the Cards are going to get a run for post-season play, they'll need to sweep the Cincinnati Reds this weekend.
The Redbirds must be wary of too much talk about Wild Card. Sure, the Wild Card is there, but too much talk about shooting for the lesser ranking is roughly the same as saying, "We not good enough."
Most of Cardinal Nation seems to have hung up this season already. That's not so good, either, as that is the equivalent of bailing out.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Cards back to KMOX
The St. Louis Cardinals are returning to their radio relationship with KMOX next season.
The suits me right down to the ground.
Poll coming up for your opinion.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Nyjer Morgan cheap shots Anderson in Nats rout of Redbirds
Centerfielder Nyjer Morgan of the Washington Nationals motored around third base in Saturday night's game versus the Cardinals and blindsided Cardinals' catcher Bryan Anderson in cheap shot fashion, leading many to wonder if there will be some sort of retaliation by the Cardinals in Sunday's afternoon game in DC.
Anderson had stepped forward into fair territory as Morgan sprinted for the plate, the lack of any play obvious. Morgan then angled hard toward Anderson, going so far out of his way toward home that he ended up missing the plate entirely. Morgan threw a forearm and shoulder into Anderson, giving a jolt hard enough to stagger him and make him drop his catcher's mitt. Anderson seemed okay, but things could have been far worse.
Most likely, Yadier Molina will return to the catching duties in Sunday's game, but visions of his altercation with the Reds' Brandon Phillips come to mind. If Nationals manager Jim Riggleman sits Morgan, things could calm down before they steam up, but there's always a chance of "roughhousing," considering the Redbirds have already proven they will not stand for low-class acts against their club.
The last time (Phillips) an opponent created a tiff against the Cardinals, the benches-clearing shoving match ensued. Cardinals' backup catcher Jason LaRue ended up taking several spiked-shoe kicks to the face and body, ending his season. Can the Cardinals afford to lose another teammate to "extra-curricular" activity?
Or can the Cards afford not to stand up for their teammate, Bryan Anderson?
Lohse too high, Lopez too sleepy
Kyle Lohse isn't quite ready to return to prime time yet. In Saturday night's 14-5 loss to the Washington Nationals, Lohse failed to keep the ball low enough in the strike zone to prevent a bat-fest by the Nats. Lohse threw almost three out of every four pitches for strikes, but in very hittable areas.
After Lohse was done on the hill, the Cardinals had few choices out of the bullpen, as most of its arms had been used the previous game.
As for analysis, Jon Jay may want to consider not pressing the outfield wall on fly balls he knows will hit high off the wall. The ricochets are hard enough to predict, let alone having to chase them down. Jay can learn off of Matt Holliday on this point. Holliday seems to have worked hard on recognizing a drive off the wall and playing it accordingly.
Otherwise, technique aside, Felipe Lopez, who is very sound in many aspects of the game, simply must wake up on the basepathes. Some time ago, he was picked off first base a couple times, and has had many close calls on picks. Saturday night he got picked at second base. Suffice it to say the entire league knows Lopez hasn't learned yet and will keep on setting him up for a rally-killing pickoff.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Pujols, Holliday solo while Garcia remains stingy
Jaime Garcia gave the Washington Nationals nothing over his 5 1/3 innings Friday night, his teammates doubling the Nats score to give the Cardinals a 4-2 win.
Both Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday hit solo blasts. The previous night both players were close to injuries that could have put them on the bench for a game or more.
The Cardinals continue their series with the Nats Saturday evening in Washington.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Molina out, Pujols and Holliday in
After Thursday night's journey to the edges of injury regarding Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, it is Yadier Molina who is scratched from the lineup for Friday night's match-up with the Washington Nationals.
Read more...Pujols hits 400th
Albert Pujols hit his 400th career home run Thursday night in Washington, but the Cardinals were edged, 11-10 in 13 innings.
The Cardinals continue to play down to the the level of teams without much standing in their respective divisions, permitting Cincinnati to take a stab at running off the the NL Central.
Not helping the Cardinals cause, both Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols suffered injuries in the ball game. It is unknown at this time whether the injuries will force either player to the bench.
The Cardinals play Washington again Friday night.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Redbirds playing down to Bucs level
The St. Louis Cardinals have a way of playing well against good teams, but playing down to the level of poor teams.
Cardinal Nation may not like the way of the Reds, but you gotta admit, they'll beat anyone's ass between the lines or between innings. The point being: the Cardinals may not need a brawl (if you could call the Reds fiasco a brawl), but they do need someone to step up and fire up the squad.
For the better part of the season, many could be heard saying: "Ah, don't worry, there's plenty of season left."
Not so any more.
If the Cardinals are this lackluster in Pittsburgh, I (sarcastically) can't wait to get to Washington.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Redbirds gain ground on Reds with Lohse on the hill
The Cardinals gained some ground on the Cincinnati Reds Monday night, beating up on the Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-2, while the Reds fell to the San Francisco Giants, 11-2. The Redbirds are now just 2 and a half games behind the Reds.
Kyle Lohse continued his comeback Monday night, notching the victory.
Albeit, the Bucs are hapless, which doesn't mean the Cardinals can relax and blow games versus a team that can beat if they focus.
The word on the diamond is the Buccos have scouts at the Little League World Series and are trying to trade up.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Garcia notches Giant zero
Jaime Garcia pitched a complete game shutout Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, helping the Cardinals win a three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants.
There was plenty of offensive help for Garcia this time around in the 9-0 blanking, the Redbirds outhitting the Giants, 15-3. Jon Jay went 3-for-4, leading St. Louis hitters. Allen Craig hit a two-run homer.
The Cardinals hit the road now, starting a series in Pittsburgh Monday night against the Pirates. Washington is the next stop. Both the Pirates and Nationals are not the most productive teams in baseball, but the Cardinals seem to have difficulties when it comes to these types of teams, as if playing down to their current level.
With far more road games then home over the balance of the season, the Cardinals will have to battle if they intend to stay within striking distance of the red hot Cincinnati Reds. Even the Wild Card could be a problem if the Cardinals cannot find their "groove."
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Cubs' Piniella heads home to help ailing Mom
Lou Piniella, the Chicago Cubs manager, announced today will his last game with the Cubs, citing his ailing mother needs him and family comes first.
Piniella had decided to retire this season, but will step down as skipper of the Cubs due to his mother's condition, which has not improved since his last visit home.
Cardinal Nation respects Piniella and his decision to go home to be close to his mother.
Feliz continues to impact Cards offense
Pedro Feliz tripled and singled in runs for the Redbirds Saturday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants. Brought to the Cards to shore up third base, Feliz has had an immediate impact on the sputtering offense.
Feliz also scored a run, gaining involvement in three out of the five Cardinals runs in a 5-1 victory. Feliz led Cardinals hitters with a 2-for-4 game.
Randy Winn also added some pop at the plate with a solo homer to right field.
Jon Jay singled home Albert Pujols as well.
Chris Carpenter notched his 14th win, giving him a 14-4 record. Tim Lincecum suffered the loss, now 11-8.
The win pulled the Cardinals within 3 1/2 games of the Cincinnati Reds for first place in the NL Central.
The Cardinals play the rubber match with the Giants Sunday at 1:15 CT in St. Louis.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Feliz OK in Cards debut but squad folds
Newly acquired third baseman Pedro Feliz did pretty well for the Redbirds in his debut Friday night, although the team fell to the Giants, 6-3.
Feliz failed to make one difficult play but came through on a different defensive play that seemed quite challenging. He also did well on routine defense and appeared to play comfortably at the hot corner.
Meanwhile, manager Tony LaRussa spoke confidently of Feliz's ability with the bat, which was one of the big question marks in the minds of Cardinal Nation. Feliz went 2-for-4, scoring two of the three Cardinals runs.
The Cardinals attempt to even up the home series versus the Giants Saturday evening and halt the losing streak which finds them descending in the NL Central behind the division-leading Reds.
Friday, August 20, 2010
McLaughlin charged in suspected DUI
Dan McLaughlin, the lead play by play announcer of St. Louis Cardinals baseball on TV, has now been charged with drunk driving.
McLaughlin was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving on Monday night in Chesterfield, MO.
McLaughlin refused a breath test. The Court has permitted McLaughlin to continue to drive while his case is pending.
Alleged McLaughlin DUI
Cardinals' play by play announcer Dan McLaughlin was arrested Monday night on suspicion of drunk driving.
McLaughlin reportedly refused a breathalyzer test.
A hearing is scheduled for October 6. McLaughlin has been permitted to drive while his case is pending.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Pedro Feliz leathers up for third base
Pedro Feliz played corner infield positions for the Houston Astros, and since potentially better choices to play third base for St. Louis might not have cleared waivers, the Cards traded for Feliz.
Roster room will be made by moving injured catcher Jason LaRue to the 60-day disabled list.
Feds to call Clemens liar
According to The New York Times, the Feds are readying to indict multi-Cy Young award winner, Roger Clemens, for lying to a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee about his alleged use of steroids.
Not Redbirds news (thank goodness), but big baseball news that eventually affects all of MLB.
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