The St. Louis Cardinals drive for Number 11 (1 Viewer)

[MrPhoenix]

I Ankiel.

On a smaller note, Rolen is on the DL. Taking his spot on the roster will be.......

Russell Branyan.

 

[revsonny]

Ankiel!!!!!!!!

Even if the Cards fail to make the playoffs, Ankiel is just an awesome story. When considering all he's been through, it wouldn't surprise me for players to say they are more thrilled over his success now than they were about winning the World Series last year - and yes, I realize that is saying a lot!

 

[Ghost Rider]

On another note, that was terrible, what happened to Juan Encarnacion last night. I am not a fan of his, but you don't wish an injury like that on anyone. Reports are surfacing that this is a season-ending injury...and possibly career-threatening.

 

[curta269]

On another note, that was terrible, what happened to Juan Encarnacion last night. I am not a fan of his, but you don't wish an injury like that on anyone. Reports are surfacing that this is a season-ending injury...and possibly career-threatening.

I heard he got hit in the same area of his face a few years ago too. His season was finished after that.Poor guy. He didn't even see it coming. It was scary. I hope he is doing better.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

 

[TheFanatic]

On another note, that was terrible, what happened to Juan Encarnacion last night. I am not a fan of his, but you don't wish an injury like that on anyone. Reports are surfacing that this is a season-ending injury...and possibly career-threatening.

I heard he got hit in the same area of his face a few years ago too. His season was finished after that.Poor guy. He didn't even see it coming. It was scary. I hope he is doing better.

It's looking worse than that. The quote in the Sunday Paper was that his "orbital bone around the eye exploded on impact." They can't even do surgery for 2 weeks until the swelling goes down. It is very likely that he loses sight in that eye. They said that a bunch of the guys were at the hospital with him that first night, and of note that Albert stayed with him till 3 in the morning....I'm with Ghost Rider. I'm not a fan of the guy. But this is horrible and I wouldn't wish this on anyone....

 

[Tough As Nails]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

 

[TheFanatic]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

Sad, taint it?!?!?We'll see what Mulder has tomorrow night. He might be the key to this...Mulder, the influx of youth (and some spark) and improved pitching from Looper and Reyes. I would love to have enough starters to throw Wells into the pen for the rest of the season....

 

[Ghost Rider]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

I saw this earlier:The Cardinals are 10-34 in games started by Anthony Reyes and Kip Wells this season.Looper has been pretty good, at worst, most of this year, and really good, at times. Reyes is out of the rotation now. Care to revise your statement?

 

[Tough As Nails]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

I saw this earlier:The Cardinals are 10-34 in games started by Anthony Reyes and Kip Wells this season.Looper has been pretty good, at worst, most of this year, and really good, at times. Reyes is out of the rotation now. Care to revise your statement?

Nope. Why would I revise it? Reyes, Wells and, to a lesser extent, Looper have been bad this season. They were really good for about a 4 week stretch. During that stretch the Cards played themselves back into the race. It wasn't coincidence. Change the names a little (sub Pinero in for Reyes or whatever other marginal pitcher you want to put in place of a slightly worse, marginal pitcher) if you want to nitpick something...but the 3,4,5 starters (which have been pretty bad), need to play like they did from the middle of July through the middle of August if the Cards are going to win.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

I saw this earlier:The Cardinals are 10-34 in games started by Anthony Reyes and Kip Wells this season.

Looper has been pretty good, at worst, most of this year, and really good, at times.

Reyes is out of the rotation now.

Care to revise your statement?

Nope. Why would I revise it? Reyes, Wells and, to a lesser extent, Looper have been bad this season. They were really good for about a 4 week stretch. During that stretch the Cards played themselves back into the race. It wasn't coincidence. Change the names a little (sub Pinero in for Reyes or whatever other marginal pitcher you want to put in place of a slightly worse, marginal pitcher) if you want to nitpick something...but the 3,4,5 starters (which have been pretty bad), need to play like they did from the middle of July through the middle of August if the Cards are going to win.

Why would you revise it? /rhetorical questionWell, first of all, you said that Reyes, Wells, and Looper are the key to the Cardinals getting into the playoffs, which is flat-out wrong. Reyes is already out of the rotation, and Wells is thisclose to being yanked from the rotation, so how can two guys who likely won't be in the rotation be the key to getting to the postseason?

Also, to say Looper has been bad this season, even to a lesser extent, is also flat-out wrong. Looper has the best daytime ERA of ANY NL starter (and his overall ERA is 4.45, which is about average, 31st in the NL, not bad). Also, the Cardinals are 16-10 in games started by Looper. On the flip side, they are 6-19 in games started by Wells and 4-15 in games started by Reyes. So, it is unfair to lump Looper in with those guys. Oh, and to say that Looper picked up his game in mid-July, like those other guys is wrong, too. He had some of his worst starts of the year in late July and early August.

 

[TheFanatic]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

I saw this earlier:The Cardinals are 10-34 in games started by Anthony Reyes and Kip Wells this season.

Looper has been pretty good, at worst, most of this year, and really good, at times.

Reyes is out of the rotation now.

Care to revise your statement?

Nope. Why would I revise it? Reyes, Wells and, to a lesser extent, Looper have been bad this season. They were really good for about a 4 week stretch. During that stretch the Cards played themselves back into the race. It wasn't coincidence. Change the names a little (sub Pinero in for Reyes or whatever other marginal pitcher you want to put in place of a slightly worse, marginal pitcher) if you want to nitpick something...but the 3,4,5 starters (which have been pretty bad), need to play like they did from the middle of July through the middle of August if the Cards are going to win.

Why would you revise it? /rhetorical questionWell, first of all, you said that Reyes, Wells, and Looper are the key to the Cardinals getting into the playoffs, which is flat-out wrong. Reyes is already out of the rotation, and Wells is thisclose to being yanked from the rotation, so how can two guys who likely won't be in the rotation be the key to getting to the postseason?

Also, to say Looper has been bad this season, even to a lesser extent, is also flat-out wrong. Looper has the best daytime ERA of ANY NL starter (and his overall ERA is 4.45, which is about average, 31st in the NL, not bad). Also, the Cardinals are 16-10 in games started by Looper. On the flip side, they are 6-19 in games started by Wells and 4-15 in games started by Reyes. So, it is unfair to lump Looper in with those guys. Oh, and to say that Looper picked up his game in mid-July, like those other guys is wrong, too. He had some of his worst starts of the year in late July and early August.

Joe Strauss reported on the Bernie Miklatz and Randy Karriker show that he won't make his next start. Thompson will likely make that start. He's probably out of the rotation for the remainder of the year. With Moulder pitching tonight, if he can prove he can do it again the Cards can drop a starter and Wells is the most logical choice....Rumor has it Mulder hasn't had the velocity he's throwing at right now in 3 years

 

[Tough As Nails]

If Kips Wells could be removed from the starting rotation ASAP, that would be super. He sucks.

From July 18 until August 23...he pitched 38 2/3 innings while giving up only 12 runs. He was rock solid. Not coincidentally, it was that period of time that the Cards climbed back into the race. He, Reyes and Looper are the guys that picked up their game starting in the middle of July. Look at those 3 names and then come to the slow realization that they are the key to overtaking the lead and getting into the post-season.

I saw this earlier:The Cardinals are 10-34 in games started by Anthony Reyes and Kip Wells this season.

Looper has been pretty good, at worst, most of this year, and really good, at times.

Reyes is out of the rotation now.

Care to revise your statement?

Nope. Why would I revise it? Reyes, Wells and, to a lesser extent, Looper have been bad this season. They were really good for about a 4 week stretch. During that stretch the Cards played themselves back into the race. It wasn't coincidence. Change the names a little (sub Pinero in for Reyes or whatever other marginal pitcher you want to put in place of a slightly worse, marginal pitcher) if you want to nitpick something...but the 3,4,5 starters (which have been pretty bad), need to play like they did from the middle of July through the middle of August if the Cards are going to win.

Why would you revise it? /rhetorical questionWell, first of all, you said that Reyes, Wells, and Looper are the key to the Cardinals getting into the playoffs, which is flat-out wrong. Reyes is already out of the rotation, and Wells is thisclose to being yanked from the rotation, so how can two guys who likely won't be in the rotation be the key to getting to the postseason?

Also, to say Looper has been bad this season, even to a lesser extent, is also flat-out wrong. Looper has the best daytime ERA of ANY NL starter (and his overall ERA is 4.45, which is about average, 31st in the NL, not bad). Also, the Cardinals are 16-10 in games started by Looper. On the flip side, they are 6-19 in games started by Wells and 4-15 in games started by Reyes. So, it is unfair to lump Looper in with those guys. Oh, and to say that Looper picked up his game in mid-July, like those other guys is wrong, too. He had some of his worst starts of the year in late July and early August.

EDIT: Nope. No bickering amongst Cardinal fans. You know what my point was and I'm not going to go in circles with a fellow Cards fan.

 

[TheFanatic]

Mulder had a great first inning. Then he went straight into the

He threw a lot of strikes, but couldn't keep the ball down. His highest velocity was 92 MPH

I knew I was way too geeked up for this game and thus saw the Cubs and Brewers win and the Cardinals get spanked. I knew I shouldn't have sported my "Wrigley Field: World's Largest Gay Bar" T-Shirt.....NTTIAWWT

 

[varybarry]

What's the deal with his velocity? Why hasn't he been hitting is normal speeds? I hope he can get it together, or it looks like the end of the season for the Cards.

 

[Tough As Nails]

What's the deal with his velocity? Why hasn't he been hitting is normal speeds? I hope he can get it together, or it looks like the end of the season for the Cards.

I don't think anybody was really relying on Mulder to begin with. It'll be a little disappointing if he doesn't come back and pitch well...but it won't be unexpected. We have plenty of guys that are just good enough to be in the majors as a number 5 starter...it's just unfortunate that they have to be used as the #3, #4 AND #5 starters.

 

[Tough As Nails]

Cubs lose in the 9th and Cards score 2 runs in the 4th to go up 7-3...all in the span of about 10 mintues. Hoooold on, bullpen. We'll be tied in the loss column if the Cards can hold on for the win.

 

[RnR]

God, I Rick Ankiel.

 

[TheFanatic]

God, I Rick Ankiel.

Me too, and starting him in my fantasy league in the playoffs helps. 3-4, 4 runs scored, a double, 2 HR's, 7 RBI's and a walk and it's only the 6th inning.

 

[curta269]

What's the deal with his velocity? Why hasn't he been hitting is normal speeds? I hope he can get it together, or it looks like the end of the season for the Cards.

His velocity is higher than when he last pitched a year ago. I believe he is finally healthy, he is probably rusty. Lets see how he doesn next Tuesday against the Reds.

 

[curta269]

God, I Rick Ankiel.

Me too, and starting him in my fantasy league in the playoffs helps. 3-4, 4 runs scored, a double, 2 HR's, 7 RBI's and a walk and it's only the 6th inning.

I have him started on my team too. He has been fantastic.

 

[Tough As Nails]

Things are not looking good here. Duncan out. A big loss to the Cubs. That's 4 losses in a row. Ugh. 3 back with 21 to play. :(

 

[Ghost Rider]

Too much adversity to overcome this year.

Josh Hancock. Carpenter being out all year. Starting rotation in shambles for much of the season. Encarnacion. Rolen. etc.

I don't know any team that would have been able to overcome the adversity the Cardinals have faced this year. I give them a ton of kudos for making this late-season run. Most teams would have given up a month or so ago, but the Cards kept fighting. Their reign as champs is about over, but at least they went down fighting.

 

[TheFanatic]

Too much adversity to overcome this year. Josh Hancock. Carpenter being out all year. Starting rotation in shambles for much of the season. Encarnacion. Rolen. etc. I don't know any team that would have been able to overcome the adversity the Cardinals have faced this year. I give them a ton of kudos for making this late-season run. Most teams would have given up a month or so ago, but the Cards kept fighting. Their reign as champs is about over, but at least they went down fighting.

I'm optimistic but realistic. I can hope they can make the post season, but they are going to get smoked if they do. No Rolen, Encanarcion (sp?), Carp, Edmonds has hit like ####, Eck missed some time, Yadier missed some time, Pujols slow start, etc. This season has been ugly. The positives: - Cards are still in the hunt - Izzy has looked fantastic - Duncan has become a better hitter and batter (latest slump is just part of the grind of a 160 game season) - Ankiel has been phenomenal - Mulder looks to be on track for 2008 - Ryan and Ludwig have been fantastic - A couple of the middle relievers have been lights out - Honestly, Pujols could use a full offseason to recover (rumor is he's more injured than letting on) - Our rag tag pitching staff has made something out of nothing and if some of those guys are where they should be next year (3-4-5 starters rather than 1-2-3) we should have a solid rotation

 

[Tough As Nails]

Ouch. That was no fun.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Let's go BLUES!!!

 

[MrPhoenix]

Let's go BLUES!!!

Hey, we got Paul Kariya!

 

[wilked]

the Cardinals will be the first defending champion with a losing record since the Marlins forgot to put a team on the field in 1998.

 

[Capella]

the Cardinals will be the first defending champion with a losing record since the Marlins forgot to put a team on the field in 1998.

Doesn't really hurt the "worst World Series Champion" ever argument.

 

[MrPhoenix]

the Cardinals will be the first defending champion with a losing record since the Marlins forgot to put a team on the field in 1998.

Doesn't really hurt the "worst World Series Champion" ever argument.

Sadly, I agree with you. Sadly, Cardinals ownership will never see this while they're still basking in what little glow there is of hte 2006 World Series while also drowning in cash from when the scenery-blocking new Centene building opens in 2009. The building will block the St. Louis courthouse and a good chunk of the St. Louis skyline. Guess they didn't make enough money selling urinals and garbage cans from Old Busch.

 

[RnR]

the Cardinals will be the first defending champion with a losing record since the Marlins forgot to put a team on the field in 1998.

Doesn't really hurt the "worst World Series Champion" ever argument.

Somehow, I think they'll still take the Championship. Consider it retribution for the several consecutive years before where they had far superior teams and fell just short.

 

[Capella]

the Cardinals will be the first defending champion with a losing record since the Marlins forgot to put a team on the field in 1998.

Doesn't really hurt the "worst World Series Champion" ever argument.

Somehow, I think they'll still take the Championship. Consider it retribution for the several consecutive years before where they had far superior teams and fell just short.

I don't think I ever said the title doesn't count.

 

[RnR]

the Cardinals will be the first defending champion with a losing record since the Marlins forgot to put a team on the field in 1998.

Doesn't really hurt the "worst World Series Champion" ever argument.

Somehow, I think they'll still take the Championship. Consider it retribution for the several consecutive years before where they had far superior teams and fell just short.

I don't think I ever said the title doesn't count.

I know, that's not really directed at you, more at the notion that being the "worst World Championship team ever" somehow diminishes the accomplishment. (Truthfully I'm just glad they got one out of it, they had a pretty nice run for 5 or 6 years and it was going to be a shame to come away empty-handed)