2011 MLB Playoffs

[pdga#7648]

for the great team in St. Louis it is! 

[Dan Michler]

How you feel about the decision to take Motte out of that game, Doug?

It was strange.  I think LaRussa lets the 'genious' talk get to his head, causing him to overmanage games like this.  Its not the first time.

The way I see it, the Cardinals couldn't close a game to save their lives at the start of this season.  Motte bailed them out bigtime this year.  He's your closer and a big part of the reason you got here.  He throws the ball in the high 90's and strikes out about a batter per inning.  He gave up 2 singles to start the 9th inning in a 1-0 game.  Obviously, you need a strikeout or a popout in this situation.  You've got Hamilton at the plate who is no stranger to the whiff this postseason.  The last thing you'd consider in this situation is pulling your flame throwing closer after 2 batters to bring in a soft tossing lefty.  Wouldn't you agree?

If they leave Motte in I think they at least keep it 1-1 and go to extras.  Or if Pujols could make cutoff that any one of us probably could have made, it would have been extra innings.  Cards gave that game away.

[pdga#7648]

I don't think he should have taken Garcia out when he did, but that's Tony. He makes them situational decisions a little to often I think. But that's baseball. If Pujols cuts that ball of right, the game stayed 1-1 going into xtras. Yea, chalk that up as a give away game.

I still believe they are okay though. win 1 in Texas, then come back to St. Louis to win it the right way, in front of the fans!

And Motte already has the Cards record for saves in a postseason with 5. and he had pitched 9 innings with 9k's and 1 hit before last night, so he was due to blow one. That duck snort from Kinsler hurt. sounded like Motte broke his bat, so it was a good pitch. it just happened to find a hole. And Motte can't hold any runner close. that's how Kinsler was safe at 2nd, although a very close play!

[pdga#7648]

Now, one for you.
Can you believe Craig came in again and got the go ahead hit off Ogando? on what looked like the exact same pitch he hit in game 1?  all fastballs to him so far, and not 1 breaking ball. Ogando was an All Star starter wasn't he?  Pretty HUGE clutch hitting from a bench player!

[Dan Michler]

And Motte already has the Cards record for saves in a postseason with 5. and he had pitched 9 innings with 9k's and 1 hit before last night, so he was due to blow one. That duck snort from Kinsler hurt. sounded like Motte broke his bat, so it was a good pitch. it just happened to find a hole. And Motte can't hold any runner close. that's how Kinsler was safe at 2nd, although a very close play!

I agree with you on LaRussa making too many situational changes.  When it works out it seems like he's hailed as a genious.  Motte may have been due to blow a game, but what sucks for him is Tony didn't even give him the chance to NOT blow it by yanking him after 2 weak singles to lead it off!  And Tony's postgame comments seem to indicate he was conceding the tying run.  What kind of strategy is that?

The bats should liven up for both teams down in the Texas weather.  My gut feeling is St.Louis is destined to win this thing, but I'm still hoping I'm wrong.

[pdga#7648]

oh believe me Dan, Tony has left me scratching my head 100's of times. He saw Hamilton (lefty) and he knew he had the oldtimer Rhodes(lefty) warmed up, so he yanked Motte(righty)  was it wrong? probably,  can't really say it was that out of line though knowing how Tony does go with the statistics.  Hopefully to your point, it doesn't mess with Motte phsycologically, cause he has been lights out.

I agree, we will see more HR's in Texas. Hopefully it's from Pujols, Holliday and Berkman. Hamilton and Cruz can hit theirs, as long as the game is out of reach.  I really like Craig in the lineup now that it shifts to Texas. wheteher its in Left Field or the DH doesn't really matter, but I think it will be in Left. Holliday will DH.  But I must say, Cardinal Nation needs to be very happy if we can get a full season out of Freese. I think he can hit 20-25 HR's if healthy??

And, IF it gets back to St. Louis, yes I think they will win it. Of course they need that 1 win in Texas though. They don't hit lefty's well at all though, and they see 2 in a row coming up.  

[pdga#7648]

1-12 with risp, and 11 men left on base. don't deserve to win a game like that.

I think the Pujols Watch is about to begin.   

[Dan Michler]

WTF was that Doug?  First of all, why is Tony sending runners every time Albert is at the plate?  The man just hit 3 jacks two days ago.  Let him swing the bat.  Its a lose-lose situation when you either run yourself out of the inning or leave first base open so they can pitch around him.  Just mind boggling.

Then this whole bullpen situation blows my mind.  Supposedly he called for Motte twice, but they didn't hear it?  Then that lefty pitches to Napoli?  Its like the Cardinals were paid to lose that game.

[pdga#7648]

I don't know Dan. The 9th inning it was 3-2 count on Pujols, he swung at ball 4, and Craig was thrown out at 2nd again! frustrating to watch, I'll say that!

[stpitner]

Pujols was getting blasted by the guys on the radio for swinging at that pitch.  They kept saying that he needs to just trust his teammates to get the job done despite Holliday not doing much in the series.

I should have posted my predictions here - I did on mlb.com's fantasy thing.  I was decently close aside from thinking Tampa Bay would beat Texas and then I had Detroit in the Series against the Cards.  There's only one person left from that contest that still has a perfect bracket going.

I had:
Tampa In 4 (it was Texas in 4)
Detroit in 5 (correct)
Milwaukee in 4 (right team, but it was 5 games)
St. Louis in 4 (right team, but it was 5 games)

Next round I had Detroit in 6 (it was Texas in 6)
St. Louis in 7 (right team, but it was 6 games)

and then I unfortunately had Detroit in 7 to win it all, but if it winds up to be Texas in 7 I'll get a small moral victory woo lol.

It's tough picking how many games a series will be won in!  It's tough enough to get the winner.  I'd like to see Texas win since they lost it last year.  It's not easy to get there twice!  I didn't realize how well they had been playing as of late.  You don't typically think the Rangers when you think of contending teams.

[pdga#7648]

Pujols was getting blasted by the guys on the radio for swinging at that pitch.  They kept saying that he needs to just trust his teammates to get the job done despite Holliday not doing much in the series.

I should have posted my predictions here - I did on mlb.com's fantasy thing.  I was decently close aside from thinking Tampa Bay would beat Texas and then I had Detroit in the Series against the Cards.  There's only one person left from that contest that still has a perfect bracket going.

I had:
Tampa In 4 (it was Texas in 4)
Detroit in 5 (correct)
Milwaukee in 4 (right team, but it was 5 games)
St. Louis in 4 (right team, but it was 5 games)

Next round I had Detroit in 6 (it was Texas in 6)
St. Louis in 7 (right team, but it was 6 games)

and then I unfortunately had Detroit in 7 to win it all, but if it winds up to be Texas in 7 I'll get a small moral victory woo lol.

It's tough picking how many games a series will be won in!  It's tough enough to get the winner.  I'd like to see Texas win since they lost it last year.  It's not easy to get there twice!  I didn't realize how well they had been playing as of late.  You don't typically think the Rangers when you think of contending teams.

go back to the original post. I didn't pick how many games, but I did pick the World Series teams. 

[pdga#7648]

on last nights rainout... Berkman said, I don't know why we didn't play?? The weather was worse for game #1??  Shut up Lance! This sets it up perfectly if Cards win tonights game! Carpenter can pitch another HUGE game!  Ask the Phillies how he did his last big game.  But this one would be for the Series Title!


I know I may be jumping the gun here, but gotta have hope.  Back in St. Louis, where it is alot colder than Texas. Balls wont fly as far in this game.  Garcia looked great in game #2. 7 IP, Zero earned runs. If he does that tonight, there will be a game #7 tomorrow! If not, still alot better season than we were predicted to have. And all this without Wainwright. Next year should be just as good.

[pdga#7648]

are you kidding me?  scored in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th to win! 

[pdga#7648]

The best finish to a World Series game I have ever witnessed.  down 2 runs in the 9th, down to the last strike, and they tie it at 7. Down 9-7 in 10th, they down to last strike again, and get the hit to tie.
Cardinal fan or not, if your a baseball fan and didn't enjoy that game, go watch volleyball! That was a classic for all ages.

Come on Carpenter, bring it home tonight!

[Dan Michler]

I'd favor the Cards to win at home in Game 7, but its certainly not a foregone conclusion.  I keep hearing Texas won't be able to rebound after such a tough loss.  Remember the 2001 Series, when the Yankees had come-from-behind walk-off wins on back-to-back nights against Arizona, only to see the Dbacks win Games 6 and 7 to close it out.

Carpenter threw 101 pitches Monday night.  He's been solid in his 2 Series startes, but he's been far from dominant since that Game 5 to close out the Phils.

Texas has Harrison starting, but Derek Holland is waiting in the wings.  He's on normal rest and just pitched 8 1/3 shutout innings on Sunday.

I feel like its 60/40 the Cards will win.


As far as the Cardinal fans being the "best in baseball"...it was reported that thousands left after the Rangers got up 7-4 in the 7th inning.  That would never happen at Wrigley Field in a playoff game, we stay til the bitter end, just sayin'.

[pdga#7648]

Holland just pitched last night, he wont come back!

but there was still 20,000 fans lining the streets after the game was over!

And honestly, do you really think Texas can overcome that?  They are mentally drained now. Their stud closer couldn't get it done, then Feldman choked.  I really don't see Texas coming back from that let down. Carp will be the Carp we know best, in big game situations!  I really think #11 happens in 2011!

[pdga#7648]

I had my rally hat on and the rally squirrel in hand from the 8th inning on, and stayed up until 12:30 am when I had to be up at 5:30 am. 
and if only a few thousand left in the 7th, that still left over 40,000 there to witness a great finish, from their hometown kid, Freese!



I'd say it's more like 80/20 Cards win, if I was a betting man 

[Dan Michler]

I had my rally hat on and the rally squirrel in hand from the 8th inning on, and stayed up until 12:30 am when I had to be up at 5:30 am. 

You had a rally squirrel in your hand huh?  Thats great....were the St.Louis fans jealous of the Angel's rally monkey or something?  Its hard to think of anything dumber than this....well except for maybe the 'Go Cubs Go' song and the 7th inning stretch guest conductor.  Please Mr. Eptsein, make those 2 'traditions' a thing of the past!  Time to class this place up a bit.

[pdga#7648]

      thanks Dan. yes, wife bought it before the series started.


but best news yet! I am leaving work at 11, and driving to St. Louis with a cousin. He paid $130 for standing room only in the NLCS. wonder what we will pay???

[pdga#7648]

and at least the Cardinals had a squirrel involved in their playoffs. did the Angels really have a monkey show up?