This team that had so many holes a few weeks ago is starting to do more of the little things right. I just wish they could have moved Norris at the deadline when he still had any semblance of value. The negative reports about him I thought would get him a ticket out of town to try and keep the chemistry in check after Matheny was let go...but I guess not. These rookie arms have been a lot of fun to watch! I'm sure they'll have their down games and struggles, but so far its just so much more fun to watch games right now than it was in June and early July!
2018 St. Louis Cardinals
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The turnaround has been mostly dumping all the deadweight in the bullpen (Holland cut, Gregerson & Cecil on the DL), Carpenter playing out of his mind, and DeJong & Ozuna hitting again.
I don't think managers make much difference, but Matheny was clearly hurting the team and Shildt seems competent, at least. A lot of this run they've been on has featured early pulls of starters, not letting them hit 3 times, and not running bullpen pitchers into the ground, which were all things that Matheny was terrible at.
I think a lot of sabermetrics people would say that a good manager doesn't really add many wins over the season, but a bad manager can definitely lose you a few. It isn't much, but when you are in a tight race, a few games over a season can be the difference between making the postseason or not. So glad we finally dumped Matheny!
Carp is the biggest piece no doubt. Dumping Holland was huge, and I always thought Cecil and Gregerson were mistakes and never understood why they were getting any appearances in remotely meaningful spots. I agree that managers don't make a ton of difference, but once the negative cloud started surrounding this team I felt like a crash and burn was imminent if they didn't make some sort of major move.
I wanted to speak on the dead weight from the bullpen in my initial post but completely forgot to type it out. I'm only 30 so I can't blame old age...
IlliniFan85
- Colorado Springs, CO
Line drive back at pitcher.
7th straight series win and the Cardinals are now in the second wild card spot and only a .5 game back of the Phillies for the top wild card spot.
the national
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Couldn’t ask for a better situation. I just finished watching the game in dvr. Bader’s fancy glove reminds me so much of Jim Edmonds, I love it! His triple was awesome too. So much energy!
Much like last week when they caught a break not having to face Scherzer when the Nats were in town, they won't have to face Kershaw when they face the Dodgers this week as he is starting today in Seattle.
They could bury the Dodgers, and control their own leapfrog of the Rockies in the wild card standings this week. Tough schedule, but can't complain about being able to control your own destiny, standings wise. Just have to keep winning series, even a split of these 6 road games would be OK (as long as 2 of those wins are against Colorado).
Still lots of baseball left. Goal should be to go 3-3. Anything better is gravy.
the national
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I had to stop listening on TV, switched to the Radio. Couldn't standard the noise.
the national
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Back to back Homers. Wow, I didnt see that coming. We looks dead in the water, and then snuck out of the eighth. Gyorko and Carp saved the day.
Big City is back! He’s been slumping since the all star break, but give him some salsa and he should be hitting dingers in no time. He could be a big difference in the postseason as a lefty with pop coming off the bench.
the national
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Glad CMart is ok, thankfully. But wow, we took another series. These rookie pitchers have guts. I’m impressed.
IlliniFan85
- Colorado Springs, CO
Let's not do like Eduardo Perez said, which was to call Mike Shildt "Magic Mike".
the national
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Going to the Game tonight. I am loading up on some salsa, pre-game, for some good ju-ju. I am really hoping we can pull it out, but the Rox are playing red-hot maybe second to the Cards. Will be a good test for us.
IlliniFan85
- Colorado Springs, CO
We were going to go tomorrow night but the tickets we usually get in section 115 were gone when we went to buy them. Oh well.
Big win tonight.
You must be good luck. Better go to the other 2 games. Big win tonight.
You must be good luck. Better go to the other 2 games. Big win tonight.
the national
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I was in section 116, row 4. Great seats and a great win! Man, watching that 8th inning live at the ballpark was stressful. Hicks was put through the ringer but survived.
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