Maybe it's just me or maybe it's the fact that it's happened twice now recently, but I hate ending the game on a challenge. I believe in football and basketball, after a certain point in the game coaches can't challenge anymore. I'm sure my attitude would be different if a ninth inning challenge helped the cards, but it's just a clunky way to end a game.
With Helsley on the mound, there was a slim chance the Yankees would come back tooBoone's challenge tonight at least made sense given the situation and the score. I don't get why Ross did his last night considering there was a slim chance the Cubs would come back in that one. Though it was rather funny hearing Danny Mac and Brad Thompson oversell their end of game call.
With Helsley on the mound, there was a slim chance the Yankees would come back too
It's been said for 19 years that Yadi doesn't need to hit in order to bring value to the team. It was proven last night. Pitchers pitch better with Yadi behind the plate and it's not because he is so good at dragging the ball back into the strike zone although that helps. It's his cerebral approach. Getting inside the batter's head and out thinking him.How Yadier Molina's 'sick' sense for pitches and Cardinals daring defense bested Yankees
Two catches, one by Arenado and another by Nootbaar, preserved a 1-0 victory in front of the largest crowd ever at Busch III, but only after Molina's deft calls.www.stltoday.com
Derrick Goold
There are many in the overflow crowd at Busch Stadium and some in the clubhouses below those packed stands that would say the pitch that shaped the game’s outcome was a slider in the ninth inning that hugged the inside edge.
But not one of them called that pitch.
Yadier Molina, the Cardinals’ catcher who spun a wobbly 3-0 count into a decisive out, felt the next pitch, an elevated fastball, gave Giovanny Gallegos control of the moment and the Cardinals a 1-0 victory against the Yankees on Saturday night. With one out and a one-run lead in the ninth, Gallegos spiked two fastballs and let a slider drift to fall behind 3-0 to former MVP Josh Donaldson. He slipped a slider by Donaldson for the at-bat’s strike, and then came the pitch that “for me, set everything up,” Molina said.
Gallegos stuffed a 95-mph fastball into the upper reaches of the zone. Donaldson gave chase for strike 2 and gave away where he was looking. Molina sensed Donaldson hunted a slider in that same location – and he did not want Gallegos to try the slider for a strike. Molina got the right-hander’s attention, pointed to his eyes, and then called for the full-count pitch.
He dared to go with a fastball, low, but in the strike zone.
He dared to trust Gallegos, who missed on two previous low fastballs, to make this one.
He dared to get beat on his best bet.
Donaldson froze, took it for a strike 3.
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Many on the STLtoday forums and even here have bemoaned Yadi's lack of production at the plate and it is concerning , but as this article describes the events last night , Yadi brings so much confidence and savvy to the team......We will miss his leadership when he retires and I am going to really enjoy the remainder of this season and applaud Yadi for everything he has done wearing the Birds on the Bat for 19 seasons.........I really really am................
If Jack returns next month as a starter I am not sure how stretched out he will be. I would think it takes more than 30 days to get up to 5-6 innings. While Hudson has struggled as a starter he would seem to be the better option. Who knows.Cardinals notebook: Jack Flaherty set to start rehab route, spot in rotation awaits
Right-hander, eligible to come off the injured list on August 26, returned to St. Louis on Saturday, will throw bullpen Sunday, could see rehab game soon.www.stltoday.com
Derrick Goold
The Cardinals believe there is enough time remaining on the schedule to have Jack Flaherty return as a starter because of what he could provide in that role if their season goes as long as they hope.
A day removed from an intensive bullpen to simulate two innings out near his home in Los Angeles, Flaherty returned to St. Louis on Saturday and will meet officials Sunday to determine how soon he can begin a rehab assignment. The right-hander, sidelined twice this season by shoulder trouble, will throw a bullpen session at Busch Stadium in front of coaches so they can make a call on his readiness to face hitters.
That’s when the countdown to a return will start.
The role is waiting.
“If he can give us the last month as a starter and then October, the playoffs, that’s what we would like,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “We will see how he comes out of this rehab process. But we’re encouraged. We’re definitely encouraged.”
After missing spring training with bursitis, Flaherty worked to regain the mechanics that did not put a strain on his shoulder. He returned from his rehab assignment one start earlier than initially planned — and that return lasted three starts before soreness returned. In three games, Flaherty had a 5.63 ERA and more walks (nine) than strikeouts (six) in eight innings. Placed on the injured list after a June 26 start, Flaherty was later moved to the 60-day IL. The earliest he can return is Aug. 26.
IMO , this is the worst year of missed calls ever....................It's hard to judge the umps before the strike zone rectangle showing up on the screen , but I 100 % agree that some of these missed calls are unbelievable.....................................How do some of these home plate umpires miss obvious strike calls? Cost the Cardinals 2 runs.
7 game win streakBeen a great week for the Cardinals , sweeping the cubbies and Yankees and the Redbirds are on a 6 game winning streak at the right time in the season......
I think the brewers also lost so if true that means the Cardinals are in first place with a 2 game lead..............Off tomorrow and travels to denver to face the Rockies in a 3 game series............
Lots of highlights today with Arenado and Paul DeJong each with 3 run home runs............
Go Cardinals.................
Sweeping the Yankees. I never would have expected it.Been a great week for the Cardinals , sweeping the cubbies and Yankees and the Redbirds are on a 6 game winning streak at the right time in the season......
I think the brewers also lost so if true that means the Cardinals are in first place with a 2 game lead..............Off tomorrow and travels to denver to face the Rockies in a 3 game series............
Lots of highlights today with Arenado and Paul DeJong each with 3 run home runs............
Go Cardinals.................