Friday, October 1, 2010
Cardinals Beat Rockies 3-0: Jake Westbrook K's 9 Over 7.2 Shutout Innings, 1 RBI; Allen Craig 2 Hits, Double, & 1 RBI; Matt Pagnozzi 1 RBI
Individual Highlights:
Matt Holliday 2-for-3 with one intentional walk and one caught stealing/pickoff.
Allen Craig 2-for-4 with one double, one RBI, and one run.
Matt Pagnozzi 0-for-2 with one RBI and one sacrifice.
Brendan Ryan 0-for-1 with one run, two walks, and one stolen base.
Jake Westbrook started and pitched 7.2 innings. He allowed four hits, no runs, one walk, and struck nine out for the winning decision (10-11). 1-for-3 with one RBI at the plate. (p-s:104-64)(g/f:7-7)
Trever Miller entered in the eighth and pitched to one batter. He allowed no hits or runs for the hold (11). (p-s:5-3)(g/f:1-0)(ir-s:3-0)
Ryan Franklin entered in the ninth and pitched one inning. He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out for the save (27). (p-s:8-6)(g/f:1-1)
Rough Outing:
Albert Pujols 0-for-4 at the plate.
Pedro Feliz 0-for-4 at the plate.
Joe Torre Facing Reality Of Final Series As Manager
Joe Torre entered his final series as manager of the Dodgers sounding more like it really will be his final series as a manager, period.
Postseason Awards Will Spark Major Debate
I honestly cannot remember an awards season that included this many hotly contested races.
Not one of the American League awards features an obvious, slam-dunk choice. The NL picture is somewhat clearer, but the Rookie of the Year competition is so rich, I fully expect that we will talk about many of the same candidates in future MVP debates.
Not one of the American League awards features an obvious, slam-dunk choice. The NL picture is somewhat clearer, but the Rookie of the Year competition is so rich, I fully expect that we will talk about many of the same candidates in future MVP debates.
Reds Title Doesn't Validate Walt Jocketty System
With erstwhile Cardinal GM Walt Jocketty’s Cincinnati Reds capturing their first division title since 1995, some close-minded blowhards like Murray Chass are using the occasion to poke a finger in the eye of the Cardinals’ front office.
Carlos Gonzalez, Albert Pujols Forge Bond In Competition
In just his third game after being called up by the Rockies last season, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez made an outstanding impression on Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols.
Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday Get Green Light To Start; Tony LaRussa Mum On Plans For 2011; Jon Jay May Sit, Finish At .300; Worth Noting...
Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday both checked out fine after pregame workouts on Friday, and so both sluggers were in the Cardinals' lineup for the third-to-last game of the season.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who had put off thinking about whether or not he wanted to come back next year as Cardinals manager, said today he had started to think about the matter. But he offered reporters no clue about his preference.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who had put off thinking about whether or not he wanted to come back next year as Cardinals manager, said today he had started to think about the matter. But he offered reporters no clue about his preference.
Reds Eye Jim Edmonds Presence For Playoffs
The deliberations are ongoing as the Reds try to put together a 25-man National League Division Series roster, most likely against the Phillies.
Some of the decisions still hinge on the possible readiness of outfielders Laynce Nix (left ankle) and Jim Edmonds (right Achilles tendon).
Some of the decisions still hinge on the possible readiness of outfielders Laynce Nix (left ankle) and Jim Edmonds (right Achilles tendon).
Albert Pujols On The Fast Lane Show 10-1-10
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols joins the show.
Albert and the guys discuss the fact that the Cardinals haven't made the playoffs three out of the last four years. Albert says he wishes he could put a finger on what went wrong this year, but he thinks only having one great month hurt them. He says the team just couldn't put it all together this year, and that shouldn't happen. Albert says they were pretty close, but in the last few months of the season the team just fell apart. He says every player, himself included, has a responsibility to reach certain numbers each season. He adds that it's not about any one player though; everyone has to make sure they do whatever is needed to help the ballclub. Albert says it his job to make sure the club makes the playoffs, and he failed to do that this year. To hear the entire interview, click below:
Albert and the guys discuss the fact that the Cardinals haven't made the playoffs three out of the last four years. Albert says he wishes he could put a finger on what went wrong this year, but he thinks only having one great month hurt them. He says the team just couldn't put it all together this year, and that shouldn't happen. Albert says they were pretty close, but in the last few months of the season the team just fell apart. He says every player, himself included, has a responsibility to reach certain numbers each season. He adds that it's not about any one player though; everyone has to make sure they do whatever is needed to help the ballclub. Albert says it his job to make sure the club makes the playoffs, and he failed to do that this year. To hear the entire interview, click below:
Chris Carpenter, Tony LaRussa Weigh In On Cy Young Award
Perhaps Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter’s two favorite active pitchers are Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay, who spent eight seasons with Carpenter in the Toronto system and is one of Carpenter’s best friends, and Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright, whom Carpenter has grown to appreciate and admire.
Private Equity Firm Buys AutoZone Park Bonds At Steep Discount
Private equity firm Fundamental Advisors has purchased the bonds issued to build the Memphis Redbirds’ Downtown Memphis stadium, AutoZone Park.
Kiss'em Goodbye: Cardinals
Kiss 'Em Goodbye is a series focusing on MLB teams as their postseason dreams fade—whether in September (or before), the League Division Series, League Championship Series or World Series. It combines a broad overview of this season from Buster Olney, a take from Baseball Prospectus, a look toward an immediate 2011 move courtesy of Rumor Central and Kevin Goldstein's farm system overview. You can find all the teams on one page by going here.
Best & Worst Of Cardinals Season
Happy Friday.
Locally, the MLB season ends Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium. I'm going to get a jump on the weekend by presenting my "Bits" style review of the Cardinals' 2010 season. And offer my opinions on the best and the worst of what we saw in 2010:
Locally, the MLB season ends Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium. I'm going to get a jump on the weekend by presenting my "Bits" style review of the Cardinals' 2010 season. And offer my opinions on the best and the worst of what we saw in 2010:
Duel At Busch For A Double Crown
This Rockies-Cardinals series at Busch Stadium that promised to have such importance five or six weeks ago won't have any influence on what happens in October past this weekend.
Dish Network Customers Could Lose Fox Sports Midwest
Dish Network and Fox Networks Group, the parent company of Fox Sports Midwest, are in a dispute that could lead the satellite carrier to remove FSM, as well as FX and National Geographic Channel, from its lineup starting today.
Chris Carpenter's Complete Game An Increasingly-Rare Event
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter collected his 17th complete game for the club, the most over the last decade, but few compared to past greats
The Cardinal Nation 2010 GCL Reliever of The Year: Manuel De La Cruz
Left-hander Manuel De La Cruz stood out in relief for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals this summer.
Ahead Of The Count: Pitch Data & Walks
Last week, I looked at Predicting Strikeouts with Swing and Whiff Rates, breaking down pitch-by-pitch data to see if things like swinging-strike rates could provide more enlightenment when combined with the previous year’s strikeout rate to predict future strikeout rate. The answer was mostly negative. This was primarily due to two reasons. One was that much of the data on pitch locations is poor, and ensuing discussions highlighted just how poor it is.
Ryan Ludwick Couldn't Prevent Padres Free Fall
Ryan Ludwick is one of the good guys in Our National Pastime. He overcame a litany of serious injuries, fought through much physical and emotional pain and became a major league all-star.
Chris Perez Finishes Off Dominant Second Half
For batters facing Indians closer Chris Perez since June 28, the weather has been cloudy with virtually no chance of meatballs.
Randy Winn Leader Among Active Players In Games Played Without Postseason Appearance
WE MADE IT!
While St. Louis outfielder Randy Winn remains the leader among active players in terms of games played (1,714 going into Thursday) without a postseason appearance, the three players behind him on the list have an end to their droughts within sight. Texas (Michael Young 1,503 games) and Philadelphia (Mike Sweeney, 1,451 games) have clinched division titles. San Francisco (Aubrey Huff, 1,474 games) is preparing for a weekend showdown with its NL West challenger, San Diego.
While St. Louis outfielder Randy Winn remains the leader among active players in terms of games played (1,714 going into Thursday) without a postseason appearance, the three players behind him on the list have an end to their droughts within sight. Texas (Michael Young 1,503 games) and Philadelphia (Mike Sweeney, 1,451 games) have clinched division titles. San Francisco (Aubrey Huff, 1,474 games) is preparing for a weekend showdown with its NL West challenger, San Diego.
Christian Lopez, Juan Richardson Among Those That Will Play For Monteria
The manager of Club Deportivo Monteria LIONS-COMFACOR Noah Maduro, confirmed the hiring of new foreign players will be part of Monteriano team roster for 2010-2011 season of professional baseball. The confirmed players are:
RIGHT PITCHER GUSTAVO MARTINEZ (R. DOMINICANA)
EGGLESTON Outfield Aaron (USA) BATS AND THROWS RIGHT
CHRISTIAN LOPEZ CATCHER (USA) BATS AND THROWS RIGHT
JUSTICE JUSTIN Outfield (USA) BATS AND THROWS THE LEFT HANDED
IAN THOMAS DREW (U.S.A) LEFT-HANDED PITCHER
JOHN RICHARDSON (USA) THIRD BASE BATS AND THROWS RIGHT
ERICK ALEXANDER ARTEAGA (VENEZUELA) PITCH RIGHT
DANNY SANDOVAL (VENEZUELA) SHORT STOP INFIELD BATS BOTH HANDS AND THROWS RIGHT
JOSE SAMUEL BASTIDAS RIVER (VENEZUELA) right-handed pitcher.
Noah Maduro said that in the coming days will be arriving in the city of Monteria and give a press conference to announce the hiring that takes to fill the quota of foreigners as well as confirmation of the list of natives for the season. (Translated)
RIGHT PITCHER GUSTAVO MARTINEZ (R. DOMINICANA)
EGGLESTON Outfield Aaron (USA) BATS AND THROWS RIGHT
CHRISTIAN LOPEZ CATCHER (USA) BATS AND THROWS RIGHT
JUSTICE JUSTIN Outfield (USA) BATS AND THROWS THE LEFT HANDED
IAN THOMAS DREW (U.S.A) LEFT-HANDED PITCHER
JOHN RICHARDSON (USA) THIRD BASE BATS AND THROWS RIGHT
ERICK ALEXANDER ARTEAGA (VENEZUELA) PITCH RIGHT
DANNY SANDOVAL (VENEZUELA) SHORT STOP INFIELD BATS BOTH HANDS AND THROWS RIGHT
JOSE SAMUEL BASTIDAS RIVER (VENEZUELA) right-handed pitcher.
Noah Maduro said that in the coming days will be arriving in the city of Monteria and give a press conference to announce the hiring that takes to fill the quota of foreigners as well as confirmation of the list of natives for the season. (Translated)
Miguel Negron Moves To Mound For Mayaguez
Miguel "Mickey" Negrón was 13 years old the last time I served as a pitcher.
While Negron spent the rest of his career to develop as a position player and gardener, always remained a mystery in his mind how he would have been if he had remained a pitcher? (Translated)
While Negron spent the rest of his career to develop as a position player and gardener, always remained a mystery in his mind how he would have been if he had remained a pitcher? (Translated)
Jeff Farnsworth Signs With Aragua
The organization of the Aragua Tigers announced the hiring of Jeff Farnsworth as his new home abroad for professional baseball season in Venezuela. The right-handed pitcher will join the foreign Brian Bass, Rich Rundles, Seth Etherton and Anthony Swarzak in the pitching staff. (Translated)
Carlos Gonzalez, Albert Pujols Aim To Keep Averages Up
Officially eliminated from the postseason, the Cardinals' and Rockies' most obvious motivation to play winning baseball has been erased.
Chris Narveson In Control As Brewers Down Mets
When Chris Narveson looks back at his first full season in the big leagues, he should remember fondly those two outs he recorded in the seventh inning on Thursday against the Mets. Narveson needed them to avoid looking all winter at an ERA that began with the number five.
Albert Pujols Has Shot At First RBI Title; So Close Yet...; Playoff Fever?; Ol'Redhead Looks Ahead; Lainer Bueno Suspended
With the Cardinals' position in the standings cemented at an unprofitable second place, there are still some individual honors that can be attained. One is Albert Pujols' first potential title for runs batted in.
Lainer Bueno: Not Bueno In PED Use
Lainer Bueno: Not Bueno In PED Use
Timing Might Be Right For Allen Craig To Get A Shot
As the Cardinals consider the leading candidates for an open casting call in right field, hitting coach Mark McGwire said youthful bat Allen Craig has a lot of the qualities the Cardinals crave for their lineup.
End Near For Jay Randolph Play-By-Play, Cardinals On Free TV
It's last call for two eras in St. Louis sports broadcasting Sunday, as Jay Randolph's long play-by-play career apparently comes to an end as free telecasts as part of the Cardinals' local television package also conclude.
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