Bidge clears the bases with a double!! We might just pull this one out. Fernandez should be on his hands and knees as soon as Bidge gets back to the dougout.
Feel good win... if you read my prediction earlier (forget about the part where I thought they'd lose this game), I pointed out that I'll take my chances with either a tiring Woody, or this patchwork bullpen the Cardinals have... if its a close game. Where are they finding these guys... they all seem like the same type of pitcher (and ex-Pirates, or ex-Cubs... when they were bad). Mike Lincoln? Julian Tavarez? Yea... they're gonna sneak up on us... I love the way this offense is playing right now...
I'm very impressed with Craig Biggio. I didn't notice he had stopped with the leg kick until someone here pointed it out. He's looking great, might end up having a solid year where he hovers around 290 to 300.
The Cards pen was was actually worse last year. They had guys like Estaban Yan and Pedro Burbon who were complete garbage. Mike Lincoln has acually been pretty solid so far this season and in spring training but has been a bit overworked. Tavarez looks like complete crap though. Suppan (tommorows starter) is another ex-pirate pitcher the cards have who is medeocre at best. Tavarez sucked but they big inning whould have been over if an infielder wouldnt have been playing in the OF.
The fact that no leg-kick helps him see that low and away slider better (the one that probably half of his career swinging strikeouts have come on), will probably help his average alone 10 points. He's gotta keep it up though... the last two years, he's gotten off to decent starts (not as good as this year, though), but faded in the stretch run. This is shades of the Biggio of 97-98, however. Mr. Doubles!
Biggio in the clutch... WOAH! There's a phrase that hasn't been said for years, if ever. I still like the guy and am greatful to him, so I'm glad he's doing good so far this season. After having our SP last one out and give up 4, I kinda see this as a game we should have lost. I'm glad we won it, so it kinda makes up for the game we shoulda won on opening day. Not the most logical line of thinking, but I'm satisfied with where our record stands now.
A cards fan! (Always good to have non-homerism opinions... plus, I went to school in St. Louis) kilgore... could you tell me what's happened to Cal Eldred? He was a pretty decent pitcher last year, but I haven't hear much from him this year. Also, why is Marlon Anderson playing the outfield to begin with?? You'd think they'd call up an outfielder when Cedeno went down, but they call up Bo Hart?!? You guys got a great lineup, but this year so far reminds me of the Astros in 2000, or any random Texas Rangers/Colorado Rockie season. Hopefully things will get better... just not w/in the next two weeks... Its a great rivalry... a classy one, unlike the childish Cubs/Cards one, which really brings out the ugly sides in both teams.
Was it that obvious that i am a Cards fan I would be a stros fan if i hadnt lived in St. Louis for a few years while i was growing up in the 80's (say Ozzie do some crazy stuff when i was little). I love the Rivalry between the two clubs though. To answer your questions, Eldred really hasnt been used much this season for some reason. There is no real reason but had did have a shaky spring training. Lankford went down early in the game with a bad hamstring and TRL brought in Anderson. Why he didnt bring in So Taguchi, who is very solid defensively i have no idea. My general analysis on the Cards this years is that they have a fighting chance. They have an even better linup than last year and I dont think their pen is as bad as they have looked so far. The obvious downfall is the starting pitching. Morris and Woody are solid but the rest are big question marks. Marquie(sp?) and Carpenter have big upsides but Suppan really doesnt at all. If two of those three pan out then they can compete. If not they will be muchlike the Rockies/Rangers teams you mentioned but with at least some pitching.
and the pitcher was lucky that it wasn't a grand slam. Had it not been freezing last night that ball would have easily carried out of the park. Same with Bagwell's double in the 1st. Anyway, we already had the lead when Biggio got that double. Those extra runs were just a little cushion.
wuz funny.....even w/ a five run lead i wuz still nervous when Dotel was out there.......but w/ Lidge......i had none......I really hope ducky can do the job......my faith is wavering......
Anyone else notice Dotel's velocity is way down like it was at the beginning of last year? He was only hitting 92 on the radar gun. Not even close to what Lidge was throwing. Dotel needs to start getting it to 95-97. That's when his stuff gets nasty.
I was so pumped when we got him, then he 1 hit with no runs the Giants, that was the best way to start. Rocket vs. Albert tonite.
Kinda like how we were always nervous with Wagner out there, but not so much when Dotel took over in the 8th? I think its just an end of game thing... no matter who's the closer. Dotel needs to get a save situation soon though... but, as long as we're winning, I'll take the blowouts.
