Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I used to like that only champions advanced to the playoffs in MLB. Sure, you can find examples of really good teams that happened to be on a division with a better team but so what? Too many playoff teams cheapens the 162 game regular season.
When there were only 16 teams; 8 NL and 8 AL it was fine to play 154 games and then the the league champions play in the WS.
As the leagues expanded it was fine to have four, 6 team divisions and create a 4 team playoff with an ALCS and an NLCS.
Three 5 team division begged for 1 WC so that you have 4 NL and 4 AL teams playing a Divisional round.
That should be it.
If MLB expands to 32 teams then I’d prefer four, 4 team divisions in each league with only Division winners advancing AND the elimination of interleague play – but we all know there will NEVER be a reduction in the number of playoff teams and interleague play is unfortunately here to stay ..
The reason you see some teams pad their win totals the final 4-6 weeks of the season is because they play some teams that have thrown in the towel.
Yes, the players on the field are trying their best to play well and win games but many will be AAA guys getting their shot.
I agree with 1TD that when two teams that are not contending play each other late in the season the stats can be deceiving as you have AAA level players all over field.
The level of competition does matter.
Up and down, then up and down.
No reason to think it’ll change one way or the other this year.
I hope Scott’s ankle sprain isn’t severe and that even if it’s mild he does not try to come back too quick. Ankle sprains can take up to six weeks to fully heal and if you don’t let them they can become chronic.
We just have too many guys hitting under .250 to be consistent on offense and too many #4 and #5 pitchers in the starting rotation to get on a roll.
If we had one true #1 SP and 1 really good MOTO bat we could make the playoffs. Two of each and we would win or contend for the division. If Gray was our #3 SP that would be sweet.
I think we have enough of everything else to fill in around those 4 stars so – now we just need to develop, sign, or trade for them, lol.
I hope Gorman turns into a decent 3b and a power bat that can hit .260+.
Right now he’s neither. He’s made quite a few throwing errors but even worse – he appears to have very limited range – he simply doesn’t get to balls that, while not errors, are extra hits for the opposition.
Maybe he’ll improve all the way around – I’m rooting for him.
So -Wetherholt can slot on at either 2b or 3b?
…and the see saw battle for .500 continues.
If you think about making the playoffs and what that should mean and then you look at the teams that are ‘still in the race’ for WC3 it’s easy to see that too many teams get in – but the dollar bill is the King and everyone and everything bows down to it.
Winning your division with a scuffling record is a totally different discussion by the way.
Lynn and Gibson were two guys brought in to eat innings – not be good or great – just get into the 6th inning on the regular.
Hopefully McGreevy turns in another really good start and the bats push a half dozen runs across home plate.
This should be the most interesting off season for Cardinals’ fans in a long, long time.
The long term plan seems to be to rebuild the farm so it fills most of the ML Roster and also creates a surplus of prospects that can be used to trade for a few key players.
You would think that this would be the philosophy of almost every organization so – not really an epiphany.
I do wonder if Bloom will try to make a couple of splashy trades. I don’t think he will sign any exciting free agents due to both cost and the current roster not being ‘a player or two away’ from contending for a pennant.
We shall see.
Sonny is spinning it tonight. This is a good game to watch so far heading into the bottom of the 6th.
Mikolas invited fans to buy tickets to come to the game to boo him so that Bill will have the money to buy a good free agent pitcher to replace him in 2026.
When I lived in Memphis I would drive to StL fur 2-3 series each season. I did that from 1983 to about 1998. Even when the team was very good occasionally they would drop the series I was at, lol and when they were bad sometimes they’d win the series….just how it goes.
I also went to games 3 & 4 of the 2004 World Series – we all remember how that turned out but I don’t regret going at all.
I also used to go to some of the AAA games in Memphis when I lived there. I made a point to go see Rick Ankiel pitch. 59-60 mph change up to go with a 95+ mph fastball. Such a shame he got the yips
Anyhow – my point is that whenever I’d go to StL while the ballgames were the focal point, I always enjoyed all the other things the downtown area had to offer including dinner at Shannon’s and hitting Laclede’s Landing, Union Station Mall, Busch Gardens, Forest Park, the Italian Restaurants on The Hill, the Arch, etc …
Hopefully Pallante will ride the wave and turn in a good start today.
The crowd at Busch last night was good. I was afraid that Cubs fans were going to outnumber Cards fans but they did not and it wasn’t even close.
The kid umpiring from the stands was also a cute human interest story.
Here’s to the Cardinals crapping on the Cubs parade again today.
Unless you are making absolutely ludicrous decisions – in game management has very little bearing on a team’s final record. On several occasions I’ve read that a manager only impacts maybe 5-6 games on a record each year.
Bullpen usage is probably THE biggest impact a manager can have.
Now if you are regularly bunting with your power guys or calling for the hit & run or steal of home – yeah, an idiot could screw up a game but within the ‘norm’ you get the picture.
Where I think a manager can make a difference is with team / clubhouse chemistry and managing different personalities to make sure there’s not a simmering feud going on.
You could put Casey Stengal / ‘name you greatest manager’ in charge at Colorado or Pittsburgh and they ain’t winning. Those clubs might have a few more wins but last place is happening.
You could also put me at the helm of the Brewers with the same coaching staff and we’d still be in first place as long as the players didn’t revolt.
I detest interleague play, the DH, and runner on second in extra inning games.
But – MLB didn’t ask for my opinion before they implemented these changes.
They can also stuff their archaic regional broadcasting rights where the sun don’t shine.
I predict Babe Ruth goes 5 innings of 1 run ball and hits a HR.
He’s not a once in generation player or even a once in a lifetime player – he’s the rarest bird I’ve ever seen.
The only thing he can’t do is pitch with both arms….
Nootbar in cf, lol. Well I guess Scott has to have a day off every now and then and the only other alternative is to bring up Siani…
I like Herrera in lf – I think that can work.
Walker is an ongoing disaster.
Gorman with a couple of hits but don’t buy in – not unless he can hit for the rest of the season.
Youngsters in the bullpen taking some lumps – gotta do it so we can separate the wheat from the chaff.
I long for the day when I never have to see Mikolas pitching for the Cardinals….
He and Sonny can open a restaurant to replace Shannon’s and Stan & Biggie’s – Pozo can be the chef?
I hope Wetherholt gets his cup of coffee this season.