2018 St. Louis Cardinals

FollowTisdale · Apr 5, 2018

Charleston said:
Pham hit .226 in 2016 and didn't have a very good spring last year, either (.209 BA). He had shown flashes of promise, but he was not a proven MLB player one year ago, so it wasn't really surprising that he started the season in the minors. Matt Adams was clearly more highly regarded offensively, so the Cardinals tried him (unsuccessfully) in the outfield.

He should be ecstatic that he put everything together last year and had a great season, rather than worrying that he didn't get called up a week earlier than he did.

Pham had a 140 wRC+ after coming back in June through the middle of August in 2016 before going 0fer in a few games and getting benched for Grichuk and Brandon Moss, who are much worse hitters than a fully healthy Tommy Pham. Now, he did supposedly have eye issues, but he was very good up until a week of 0 for 15 or so and then got sporadic playing time for the rest of 2016. Cardinals missed the playoffs by 1 game in 2016, and Tommy probably felt he was the difference if he got to play (maybe justifiably).

Matt Adams is maybe slightly better than league average hitter and probably the worst defender in LF of all time if he were to get a full season out there. And it wasn't the Cardinals brass putting him out there, Mozeliak had to trade him because I highly doubt anyone but Matheny wanted to see that nonsense continue. Having him play the outfield while Tommy Pham wasted 100 plate attempts in AAA in 2017 had to be an insult. The Cardinals missed the playoffs by 4 games last year and Tommy thinks he would have been the difference (definitely justifiably).

Tommy Pham is probably a hard guy to get along with (most intensely focused professional athletes probably are), but he's not wrong about anything he said in that story. And if he goes out and puts up another 4 or 5 win season, the Cardinals will likely make the playoffs.

hermie1985 · Apr 8, 2018

I can't hardly watch a game Tim McCarver works.

the national · Apr 9, 2018

4 walks in 1 inning. Pitiful pitching from our new closer.

orangeroses07 · Apr 10, 2018

the national said:
4 walks in 1 inning. Pitiful pitching from our new closer.

I don't have an issue with pitching him as much as I do leaving him in when he clearly didn't have it. Matheny strikes again!

FollowTisdale · Apr 10, 2018

orangeroses07 said:
I don't have an issue with pitching him as much as I do leaving him in when he clearly didn't have it. Matheny strikes again!

Exactly. Leaving him in after the 1st two walks was dumb, he clearly didn't have it. Leaving him in after the bunt and intentional walk with Norris ready to come in was inexcusable.

Not even "old school tough guy baseball" defensible, just terrible stupid managing.

dgcrow · Apr 10, 2018

FollowTisdale said:
Exactly. Leaving him in after the 1st two walks was dumb, he clearly didn't have it. Leaving him in after the bunt and intentional walk with Norris ready to come in was inexcusable.

Not even "old school tough guy baseball" defensible, just terrible stupid managing.

Same old, same old. Why the Cardinals are so reluctant to fire Matheny I'll never totally understand.

Illwinsagain · Apr 10, 2018

I think I will go back to my pre-internet days of not paying attention until July. If they are within 8 games or so, jump back on the bandwagon. Who am I kidding?

FollowTisdale · Apr 10, 2018

Illwinsagain said:
I think I will go back to my pre-internet days of not paying attention until July. If they are within 8 games or so, jump back on the bandwagon. Who am I kidding?

If they can just hang around .500 for April, they'll be alright. Hopefully beat up on the Reds who they play 7 out of the next 10 games after this Brewers series. The schedule gets significantly easier in May; 13 games against the White Sox, Phillies, Padres and Royals.

It just kinda sucks their main wild card competition is off to such hot starts, the Mets and Diamondbacks being 8-1, 8-2 really shrinks the margin for error. Maybe the Cubs will crap the bed, not a high likelihood of that though.

SublimeBeast · Apr 10, 2018

Lovullo, Molina receive one-game suspensions

Lovullo was ejected for leaving the dugout to argue balls and strikes. Timmons, in comments to a pool reporter, called Molina's contact with him "incidental" in explaining why the catcher wasn't ejected.

"I said what I said," Lovullo explained Monday. "I made a mistake with some of the wording that I chose. I think the one message that I want to say is that I respect Yadi, I think he's one of the best catchers in baseball. Has been for a long time."

Lovullo's suspension will be served Tuesday night in Arizona's road game against the San Francisco Giants. He was also fined an undisclosed amount.

Molina is appealing his suspension and will bat fifth in St. Louis' home game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-molina-suspended-one-game-altercation-sunday

Ryllini · Apr 10, 2018

Alright, ready to go. Just re-upped my yearly to MLB.TV. To any of you out of market like myself, you can’t beat the $115 price tag. Should you just want only Cardinals games, I believe it is $89.

IlliniFan85 · Apr 10, 2018

Ryllini said:
Alright, ready to go. Just re-upped my yearly to MLB.TV. To any of you out of market like myself, you can’t beat the $115 price tag. Should you just want only Cardinals games, I believe it is $89.

It's cheaper with student and military discounts.

Ryllini · Apr 10, 2018

IlliniFan85 said:
It's cheaper with student and military discounts.

Unfortunately I’m graduated and didn’t serve, but you are correct.

Ryllini · Apr 10, 2018

I know it is cold, but what is up with the lack of attendance?

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Apr 10, 2018

Ryllini said:
I know it is cold, but what is up with the lack of attendance?

Probably mostly the cold. Parents with kids probably wouldn't want their kids at the game when it's this cold even more so on a school night. Once we get through this cold spell we're going through now and get closer to normal spring temps, the attendance will go back up.

hermie1985 · Apr 10, 2018

First walk off of 2018 for the Cardinals. Nice win!

IlliniFan85 · Apr 10, 2018

Ryllini said:
I know it is cold, but what is up with the lack of attendance?

IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Probably mostly the cold. Parents with kids probably wouldn't want their kids at the game when it's this cold even more so on a school night. Once we get through this cold spell we're going through now and get closer to normal spring temps, the attendance will go back up.

Probably what IlliniFaninHoosierLand said to a point. Also add in that a lot of families and older people leave games early as well. Also as a game gets later in the night you might have even less people there than normal.

orangeroses07 · Apr 11, 2018

So. Many. Strikeouts.

the national · Apr 11, 2018

This year kinda feels like last year...very slow start. It just doesn’t feel like the success from a game carries over at all. It sure would be nice to string some wins together.

Ryllini · Apr 12, 2018

25 men left on base in the Brewers series. Recipe for losing baseball.

orangeroses07 · Apr 13, 2018

Need to beat down on teams like the Reds if they're going to be a playoff team. Last year, they struggled against division opponents. Hopefully they can win 2 of the next 3 at a minimum to have some confidence heading into Wrigley Field.

Illwinsagain · Apr 13, 2018

orangeroses07 said:
Need to beat down on teams like the Reds if they're going to be a playoff team. Last year, they struggled against division opponents. Hopefully they can win 2 of the next 3 at a minimum to have some confidence heading into Wrigley Field.

Hold on tonight, split the weekend, .500 going into Wrigley. Much better than 2 games under, or worse. If they can be .500 or a little better through May, things can get very interesting. The offense should heat up with the weather, Holland getting in shape, Gregerson back, Reyes in the rotation, they may be able to make a run.

the national · Apr 13, 2018

the conga line was fun; looks like Ozuna is keeping things fresh. When I saw that I actually LOL'ed.

dgcrow · Apr 14, 2018

For what it's worth, the Memphis Redbirds have started their season 8-1, the best opening in franchise history.

Illwinsagain · Apr 14, 2018

the national said:
the conga line was fun; looks like Ozuna is keeping things fresh. When I saw that I actually LOL'ed.

missed that

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Apr 15, 2018

dgcrow said:
For what it's worth, the Memphis Redbirds have started their season 8-1, the best opening in franchise history.

They are the reigning, defending PCL champs.