He's not trying to get guys to qualify for wins. It's game 1 of a fairly long stretch of games with minimal days off. He's trying to not have to dip into his bullpen in the fifth. It's a balancing act.
Fighting for the second wild card spot-the New Cardinal Way. Hopefully, this new focus on youth and Mozeliak leaving will change that.
I am trying to remember if LaRussa had a quick hook in this situation. I think it was a case by case basis. Like Second Place pointed out, how much rest does the BP need? I kinda feel this is one time it would have made sense to pull the starter. In his place you let the reliever go 3-4 innings.
I have said this all along that the roster is not a championship caliber. The big question in my mind is with the reset and new regime is the goal going to be building a serious World Series contender. I guess that answer is to be determined.
The answer will be whether the DeWitts are finally bothered to look at attendance numbers and finally decide that not enough people are coming in to keep Ballpark Village going well. Considering Bill DeWitt III has made it clear through past comments (i.e. paraphrasing "If you don't come to games, then we won't play players") that he doesn't really care about winning.
The problem is that with MLB's revenue share the only way you lose money is if you spend for a contender and miss the playoffs. The Pirates make a profit every year even though they don't sell tickets. If people stop coming DeWitt will just slash payroll even more and still make his profit.
I know but St Louis has pride or at least they used to. They are not Pittsburgh, Tampa, Oakland, I mean Vegas or any of the other small market franchises. If they start getting 8000 fans in the stands the DeWitts would be eaten alive by the media and the public at large.
theforkball.com
Maton was outstanding!
Should start on time but rain in the afternoon
