Home › The Cardinal Nation Forums › Open Forum › 2021 Rotation
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July 28, 2021 at 1:16 am #168047
Why not give Rondon a chance in the rotation? He’s pitched much better lately, and surely could do no worse than Oviedo.
July 30, 2021 at 6:46 pm #168310On his pregame Shift said they will shuffle the rotation after the day off Monday.
July 31, 2021 at 8:10 am #168399Shildt did not lie. They shuffled the rotation.
August 1, 2021 at 7:30 pm #168570Sunday in Memphis Flaherty went 3 IP, 58 pitches, 38 strikes, a WP, 5 K, 1 BB, 4 H, 2 ER. I don’t know much but would say lets see how he looks next time out.
August 1, 2021 at 9:14 pm #168583Let’s go on a run. This team is capable of it. Then, slip into the playoffs and win and win some more. After all, this team is long overdue for some good luck. We’ll show up for the World Series with a rotation of Wainwright, Lester, Happ. and Le Blanc. It’s impossible for it to happen. But what fun it would be if it happened anyway.
August 2, 2021 at 4:21 am #168586The over the hill gang.
August 2, 2021 at 8:30 am #168590Well sure, winning is always fun.
The next bunch of games is against some real slaw. The Twins are almost 20 games under, lol
Cardinals should do pretty well the next couple of weeks but not sure it’ll really mean anything.
August 2, 2021 at 9:02 am #168594Hey this is the spirit.
It’s going to be absolute chills when J.A. Happ and Jon Lester throw back-to-back complete game shutouts in game 3 & 4 of the World Series to clinch it.
— Big Mariners Fan (@CardinalsRant_) August 1, 2021
August 2, 2021 at 9:15 am #168595bccranParticipantThe next 12 games against the Braves, Pirates, and Royals could mean a lot, depending on how the Brewers, Reds, and Padres do.
August 2, 2021 at 9:21 am #168596I believe there are 13 games left against the Brewers, go 12-1 in those games and the playoffs look promising!
August 2, 2021 at 9:43 am #168597bccranParticipantMight have a better chance beating out the Padres for a wild card.
August 2, 2021 at 10:11 am #168598Flying pig alert!
August 2, 2021 at 10:21 am #168600bccranParticipantPlease clarify, CIF. Thanks.
August 2, 2021 at 11:26 am #168613bcran: All he above – beating the Brewers 12 out of 13 games, beating out the Padres for the wild card, Happ and Lester winning for us in the World Series, the Cards going on a long run, etc. – the chances of any of those things happening are as likely as a spotted hog flying over Musial’s statue. As much as I wish it otherwise, reality forces itself into my brain.
I know, I know, I dreamed, cheered and downed a lot of Bud in 1964 with my best friend, who was from Philadelphia, but I think that was an exceptional pig.
August 2, 2021 at 8:01 pm #168637bccranParticipantI never said anything about winning 12 out of 13 games from the brew crew, CIF. I did mention winning 9, 10 at the outside. Never mentioned Lester or Happ winning for us in the World Series. Is it a long shot to make the playoffs? Sure, but it’s not totally out of the question. Especially a wild card berth.
August 2, 2021 at 11:26 pm #168646I am guessing Flaherty has one more rehab start?
August 3, 2021 at 1:43 am #168649Apologies bccran, the comment was referring to several posts on this page that I thought were being overly optimistic. Meant to be humorous, not offensive.
August 3, 2021 at 7:03 am #168653FanGraphs has the Cards’ odds of reaching the playoffs at 3.3%. Baseball Reference says 3.2%.
Teams like the Dodgers (who reminded us again that they are not like the Cardinals) went for it, getting the best pitcher and (arguably) the best hitter available. On the other hand, the Cardinals assessed their situation and chose to apply band aids. Given everything, it is hard for me to blame them.
August 3, 2021 at 8:35 am #168659bccranParticipantApplying band aids is one thing, but strengthening the underpinnings is another. Look at the difference between adding a proven, flexible 5th infielder vs. a Rondon or Moroff. Or not having enough depth in the outfield, so you have to play your supposed starting second baseman out there. Or having a rookie backing up your aging catcher instead of a proven vet who also can help you off the bench in the later innings.
Need to have at least average to above average guys all around on your 25 man.
Not a handful of hopefuls.August 3, 2021 at 10:14 am #168667Some years, the injuries just pile up too deeply to let you get your head above water. Unfortunately, the Cards seem to be in that situation most years lately. Perhaps the folks in charge of health and training should be getting nervous.
As for the rotation for the rest of this year and beyond…Flaherty coming back should help, and Waino is making a good case to stick around for 2022 as well. Kim is a good candidate to resign as a back of the rotation guy. Hudson’s return will be welcome. That leaves room for a signing or two, perhaps one bigger name and a depth guy (Leblanc?), shore up the offense as well and hope it’s enough. Liberatore in particular should be ready sometime in 2022 to fill in, and maybe Rondon or Thompson find it.
I was once pretty excited for the 2022-23 run, but I’m not sure the youth have progressed enough to make that window seem like a potential World Series team. In particular, Dylan Carlson looks more solid than star and Gorman, who should be ready by next year sometime, will likely be a Tyler O’Neill type, perhaps with slightly better plate discipline. Paul Dejong looks to be a lost cause and Tommy Edman looks more average every day (which is fine for a bottom of the lineup, super sub kinda guy but not as a starting middle infielder). Bader and O’Neill are streaky and while that’s great when they’re hot, it’s frustrating when they are cold. Arenado and Goldy are still solid but not the superstars they once were. The rotation clearly will need some outside help unless Libby or Oviedo turn into more than we expect (#3 and #5/bullpen guy for me).
Bottom line…that once exciting potential will be lucky to produce more and a playoff series win or two. Even that might require the Cards to go big on the free agent market this year and spend uncharacteristically on a Seager, Story, Stroman or Scherzer.
August 3, 2021 at 11:28 am #168673Or not having enough depth in the outfield, so you have to play your supposed starting second baseman out there.
The Cardinals have been doing this the last 5-10 years, even when we had outfielders who should have been out there instead of infielders.
Or having a rookie backing up your aging catcher instead of a proven vet who also can help you off the bench in the later innings.
I don’t get this. How are your minor leaguers ever supposed to become starters if you continually want to bring in vets to block them from playing games?
August 3, 2021 at 12:26 pm #168677Somewhere I read that nobody in our current rotation throws over 90. Where are all the flamethrowers everyone likes to drool over?
August 3, 2021 at 2:33 pm #168689bccranParticipantLA – What Cardinal infielders have been playing outfield over the past 5-10 years?
Also, you’d better be sure about that rookie catcher, so you’re not diluting your bench. If he’s the heir apparent, sure. But if not, I prefer an experienced catcher at backup who knows the major league hitters and is good catching major league pitchers. Right now the heir apparent is Herrera, not Knizner.
August 3, 2021 at 2:47 pm #168690Somewhere I read that nobody in our current rotation throws over 90. Where are all the flamethrowers everyone likes to drool over?
In the bullpen, or not in the majors because they can’t find the plate.
August 3, 2021 at 5:35 pm #168695What Cardinal infielders have been playing outfield over the past 5-10 years?
Off the top of my head – Adams, Wong & Edman.
Also, you’d better be sure about that rookie catcher,
There are no sureties in the sport. The most difficult jump is from AAA to MLB. If you never give someone a chance, you will never know. And right now, it doesn’t matter who is Yadi’s backup, because they only see the field in double headers, blowouts and when Yadi is injured. That said, you develop your farm system so they can become your future starters. If you never give them a chance, you might as well trade them all away.
But if not, I prefer an experienced catcher at backup
That is your preference. My preference would be to give the young guys a chance than to get career backups every year.
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