St Louis Cardinal Fans

[Indndawg]

Are you shocked by their sudden surge to 1st place?

Can that hold on until Molina gets back?

Can Carson Kelly do the job?

 

[PineGroveBully]

Not really shocked where we are considering the schedule. Shocked how we got here. I expected the rotation era to be a full run higher but also expected our hitters to score another run or so a game. I think if they can play .500 while Yadi is out that the front office would be thrilled. While they would never be glad Yadi got hurt but I think they'll welcome the chance to give CK an extended look. I have no doubt he has the defensive tools to play in the bigs, just not convinced of his bat. And to be fair to him when he's been up he's never had the chance to get 20-30 AB's a week to get in a groove. Can't remember his name but the cards have another younger catcher nipping on Kelly's heals so if he can get rolling with the bat and later this summer a suitor came calling I think they'd move him. I think the younger guy has more upside and let's face it, the way Yadi is holding up (b4 this incident), CK may be 27-29 before he really gets the job in St Louis full time.

Im anxious to see what they do with Reyes when he's back in a cpl weeks. He starts his rehab stint this week. They have been preparing him to start. I think that may be a moot point if Norris's injury lingers and Holland can't get right. But if he is to go in the rotation it would be tricky bc up to 2-3 weeks ago you'd hafta say Waino would be our weakest link but with Weavers recent control problems I don't know that he couldn't use a tuning up in the minors. To lighten Reyes, Waino, Weavers, and Wacha's load might they go to a 6 man rotation and see if one of them stumbles??

 

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

Are you shocked by their sudden surge to 1st place?

Not really considering their SOS to date, but was surprised that they swept the Cubs. Matheny is an IDIOT that cannot manage the bullpen and his incompetency will soon surface. His insistence to play Carpenter and Fowler over Gyorko and Bader will lead to the downfall of the Cardinals. He only plays those two over the younger guys because of their contracts. And yes I know that Fowler hit the game winner last night. And when Wainwright comes off the DL, Matheny will pencil him in every 6th game no matter how high his ERA.

I think Kelly will be fine if he gets to catch every day. He's never had that chance.

Matheny is a dunce who had zero managerial experience (not counting little league) before Mo gave him this gig. Once again, Matheny's 5 year regression:

2013-lost final 3 games of WS
2014-lost final 3 games of NLCS
2015-lost final 3 games of NLDS
2016-no playoffs
2017-no playoffs

 

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

Can't remember his name but the cards have another younger catcher nipping on Kelly's heals so if he can get rolling with the bat and later this summer a suitor came calling I think they'd move him. I think the younger guy has more upside and let's face it, the way Yadi is holding up (b4 this incident), CK may be 27-29 before he really gets the job in St Louis full time.

Im anxious to see what they do with Reyes when he's back in a cpl weeks. He starts his rehab stint this week. They have been preparing him to start. I think that may be a moot point if Norris's injury lingers and Holland can't get right. But if he is to go in the rotation it would be tricky bc up to 2-3 weeks ago you'd hafta say Waino would be our weakest link but with Weavers recent control problems I don't know that he couldn't use a tuning up in the minors. To lighten Reyes, Waino, Weavers, and Wacha's load might they go to a 6 man rotation and see if one of them stumbles??

Andrew Knizner is probably the catcher you're talking about and he's doing pretty well at AA Springfield.

I'm content with the rotation if they'd bring up Flaherty. He has more upside than Weaver. I'd like to see Reyes fill the role this year that Miller did for Cleveland a couple years back.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Yes I remembered it after I posted. I could see Reyes doing the Miller thing. At least that would kinda keep his arm a little more conditioned if he was needed in the rotation down the stretch as opposed to using him as more of a 1 inning specialist.

 

[Tall Dawg]

Not really considering their SOS to date, but was surprised that they swept the Cubs. Matheny is an IDIOT that cannot manage the bullpen and his incompetency will soon surface. His insistence to play Carpenter and Fowler over Gyorko and Bader will lead to the downfall of the Cardinals. He only plays those two over the younger guys because of their contracts. And yes I know that Fowler hit the game winner last night. And when Wainwright comes off the DL, Matheny will pencil him in every 6th game no matter how high his ERA.

I think Kelly will be fine if he gets to catch every day. He's never had that chance.

Matheny is a dunce who had zero managerial experience (not counting little league) before Mo gave him this gig. Once again, Matheny's 5 year regression:

2013-lost final 3 games of WS
2014-lost final 3 games of NLCS
2015-lost final 3 games of NLDS
2016-no playoffs
2017-no playoffs

Fowler and Carpenter need to be cut....somehow.
U are correct their contracts are the reason they are
playing but they are both hitting around 150. TERRIBLE!!

And, Wong, needs to pick it up.
Wong is much younger than Fowl&Carp so I’d give
him a longer rope.

We have a good & Young rotation and if we get our flame
thrower back healthy to close this could be a special team.

And, Matheny has not been a great manager.
When Francona left BoSox, I wouldn’t taken
him in a heartbeat.

Go CARDINALS!!!

 

[Tall Dawg]

Fowler and Carpenter need to be cut....somehow.
U are correct their contracts are the reason they are
playing but they are both hitting around 150. TERRIBLE!!

And, Wong, needs to pick it up.
Wong is much younger than Fowl&Carp so I’d give
him a longer rope.

We have a good & Young rotation and if we get our flame
thrower back healthy to close this could be a special team.

And, Matheny has not been a great manager.
When Francona left BoSox, I wouldn’t taken
him in a heartbeat.

Go CARDINALS!!!

Would HAVE taken him I meant...

 

[Carbaryl]

Either Donaldson or Machado will be on the Cardinals by August so that will take away Carpenter's playing time.He is done.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Over his last 12 games games Wongs slash line is .333/.405/.639 so I believe he's picked it up since the first 2 weeks. Plus he has been the best defensive 2B this year. The metrics prove that.

It'd be asinine and short sighted to cut Carp and Fowler. Bader has shown flashes but he's far from a proven commodity thus far and as much as I love Pham he's shown to be anything but durable. Tyler O'Neil isn't ready to play a meaningful role. Both Carp and Fowler have proven they're major league hitters and slow starters. They will produce. Yes I'd be giving Gyrko the lions share of the 3B AB's right now. But Carp may very well be needed at 1B before all is said and done. Martinez has not shown he can do it all year at the big league level. If we have any hopes of hanging onto 1st place then you don't want unproven youngsters getting tons of AB's at 1B and The OF if the aforementioneds falter. That's fine if you're San Diego, not so much if you want to contend in the central now.

But agree on Francona. The sad thing is he and Matheny were the two finalists for the job after the '11 season.

Edited to say Wongs slash line not wings. While he is a fine player, he is no band on the run.

 

[Carbaryl]

Martinez is two months away from being 30 so he isn't young.He also hit over .300 with 14hr's in 106 games so he has shown he can play in the majors.Carpenter is nearing if not already there someone that needs to come off the bench.

 

[PineGroveBully]

I never said Martinez was young. I was referring to him not proving he could do it all season at the majors due to his injury history. 106 games is a long way from doing it every day for 155-160 games. He's had two horrific knee injuries. Players at his age, that injury history and his length don't always age well. We don't know that Carp won't be needed there yet. And Carp has singled handily carried the cards for a month and has won 2 playoff series vs the dodgers himself. He is no doubtedly trending in the wrong direction but he's the kind of player contending teams are going to need at some point over the course of a season.

 

[Carbaryl]

I never said Martinez was young. I was referring to him not proving he could do it all season at the majors due to his injury history. 106 games is a long way from doing it every day for 155-160 games. He's had two horrific knee injuries. Players at his age, that injury history and his length don't always age well. We don't know that Carp won't be needed there yet. And Carp has singled handily carried the cards for a month and has won 2 playoff series vs the dodgers himself. He is no doubtedly trending in the wrong direction but he's the kind of player contending teams are going to need at some point over the course of a season.

Gotcha and I agree his health issues from the past are always something to keep in mind.I disagree about Carpenter, that shoulder of his has made him just about done.

Since he made the All-Star game in 2016 he's had one good month at the plate which was July of last year(hit .322).

2016
Aug-.233
Sept-.224

2017
Apr-.243
May-.204
June-.247
July-.322
Aug-.202
Sept-.230

2018
Apr-.155
May-.214(so far)

 

[PineGroveBully]

Yea definitely trending in the wrong direction at his age. He's kinda on the Allen Craig mode right now. He really hasn't been the same hitter since he changed his swing to hit more homers. Once you change your swing a lot of times it's hard to get those mechanics back. I want to say next year is his last year on the current contract. If that doesn't get him back going his days as an everyday player are probably numbered.

 

[PineGroveBully]

I will be shocked if Machado isn't a dodger by mid June.

I was hoping we would have made a move on Donaldson this past offseason. He'll be the cheaper rental if for some reason Gyorko hasn't nailed down the 5th spot by July. Just always liked Donaldson

 

[Tall Dawg]

Over his last 12 games games Wongs slash line is .333/.405/.639 so I believe he's picked it up since the first 2 weeks. Plus he has been the best defensive 2B this year. The metrics prove that.

It'd be asinine and short sighted to cut Carp and Fowler. Bader has shown flashes but he's far from a proven commodity thus far and as much as I love Pham he's shown to be anything but durable. Tyler O'Neil isn't ready to play a meaningful role. Both Carp and Fowler have proven they're major league hitters and slow starters. They will produce. Yes I'd be giving Gyrko the lions share of the 3B AB's right now. But Carp may very well be needed at 1B before all is said and done. Martinez has not shown he can do it all year at the big league level. If we have any hopes of hanging onto 1st place then you don't want unproven youngsters getting tons of AB's at 1B and The OF if the aforementioneds falter. That's fine if you're San Diego, not so much if you want to contend in the central now.

But agree on Francona. The sad thing is he and Matheny were the two finalists for the job after the '11 season.

Edited to say Wongs slash line not wings. While he is a fine player, he is no band on the run.

Yes, Wong is one heck of a fielder and he’s coming at the plate.
IF Pham can stay healthy, he’ll have a great year.

PS: Nothing like seeing the Redbirds play in St Louis. Great staduim with Arch behind CF.
We have the best and most knowledgable fans in MLB too.

 

[Todd4State]

Shocked about the Cardinals being in first place? A little bit.

Can they hold it? I have serious doubts since Yadi is out, Pham and Norris are hurt and the only people healthy are struggling.

Carson Kelly? I think he's adequate defensively but the bat isn't there. At least not yet.

 

[PineGroveBully]

I concur on all counts

 

[Todd4State]

Not really considering their SOS to date, but was surprised that they swept the Cubs. Matheny is an IDIOT that cannot manage the bullpen and his incompetency will soon surface. His insistence to play Carpenter and Fowler over Gyorko and Bader will lead to the downfall of the Cardinals. He only plays those two over the younger guys because of their contracts. And yes I know that Fowler hit the game winner last night. And when Wainwright comes off the DL, Matheny will pencil him in every 6th game no matter how high his ERA.

I think Kelly will be fine if he gets to catch every day. He's never had that chance.

Matheny is a dunce who had zero managerial experience (not counting little league) before Mo gave him this gig. Once again, Matheny's 5 year regression:

2013-lost final 3 games of WS
2014-lost final 3 games of NLCS
2015-lost final 3 games of NLDS
2016-no playoffs
2017-no playoffs

I'm not sure that I'm sold on Bader yet.

Really what the Cardinals need to do is try to find someone or someones that can hit LH pitching.

 

[Todd4State]

Either Donaldson or Machado will be on the Cardinals by August so that will take away Carpenter's playing time.He is done.

Carpenter is not done and as long as he is on the team he will regularly start in the lineup.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Donaldson has become very injury prone.

 

[Todd4State]

I was hoping we would have made a move on Donaldson this past offseason. He'll be the cheaper rental if for some reason Gyorko hasn't nailed down the 5th spot by July. Just always liked Donaldson

For me personally I would go after Mike Moustakas. He would improve the defense, hit for some power and he hits LH pitching decently. He also has lots of playoff and World Series experience.

 

[Todd4State]

I concur on all counts

I'll add this though- most of their hitters are probably going to hit. By the trade deadline it will become obvious who is and isn't. The thing I like the most about the Cardinals is the arms that they have on the farm that could come up and help the team later in the year. Flaherty, Gomber, Hudson, and Helsey are all guys who have legit stuff and could handle one inning right now and obviously Flaherty can start. Add that to Norris, Holland, and Hicks and that is a lot of weapons. I think they will take it slow with Reyes and we won't see him until spring training 2019.

 

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

I'll add this though- most of their hitters are probably going to hit. By the trade deadline it will become obvious who is and isn't. The thing I like the most about the Cardinals is the arms that they have on the farm that could come up and help the team later in the year. Flaherty, Gomber, Hudson, and Helsey are all guys who have legit stuff and could handle one inning right now and obviously Flaherty can start. Add that to Norris, Holland, and Hicks and that is a lot of weapons. I think they will take it slow with Reyes and we won't see him until spring training 2019.

I'd like to think that's the case with the hitters, but Ozuna is very worrisome. He's only had 1 year out of 6 in which his OPS has been > 0.800 and he benefitted a lot from having Stanton protecting him. I hope I'm wrong, but I think he's a big mistake and they need to move on from him. We're 30+ games into the season and he only has 7 xbh as a clean-up hitter.

The guy I'm intrigued with at AAA is Shrock. Good contact guy which is what they big league team needs..only 11 whiffs in over 125 PAs.

I agree on the young power arms in AAA. Helsley is the guy to watch.