Well fellow Cards fans, another workmanlike effort get the number down to 7. In my opinion, tomorrow nights game is the most important game possibly the entire playoffs. It is important for us to protect homefield and go down to Houston with nothing to lose knowing that the series like last year will come back to St. Louis. If Houston is to make a series of this and have a realistic shot of winning it, they must win tomorrow night. I think if we win this game it is a matter of how many games will it take. Our team looks like they are focused and honed in like I mentioned before playoffs. I think we have been great early in these games jumping out to 8-0, 4-0, 7-0, and 5-0 leads. I can't tell you how big that has been. Our starting pitchers now have given up only 5 runs in 4 games which is off the charts. This team playing small ball and mixing in the big home run instead of relying on all power has been a big reason for our consistency. Izzy still gives me a heart attack every time he pitches and isn't worth the 13 million a year he is making but he gets the job done. Tony Larussa has managed in the playoffs other post seasons as Cardinal manager very inconsistent and unlike he does during the post seasons. It seems he is managing more relaxed this year like he expects us to win and it shows. All I can say Cards fans is we get this one tomorrow night, odds are in our favor to undue our poor performance ly in World Series. Let's get it done tomorrow night and hopefully Mulder is healthy,relaxed, and ready to bring the A game.
spreadbeater,
I really think more than 8 runs will be scored tomorrow night. Cards have really roughed up Oswalt on a couple of occasions this year and besides early matchup with 10 inning duel with Clemens on Sat. in April in Stl, Mulder has been hit around as well. Astros also know tomorrow probably will be for the series meaning if they don't win, it is a matter of when. For them to win this series, they must have chance to win it in Houston. What was really noticeable to me in tonights game was how much this team misses Beltran and Kent who may not have best stats but were money ballplayers when it came to getting the big hit or 2 out hit. Cards were able to pitch around Berkman and he helped us and make others beat us. Astros would be smart to get Burke in lineup as it seems this young player is breeming with confidence after hitting Gm 4 winning home run. He was suppose to challenge for ROY but it did not happen. Their bats looked lethargic tonight. Someone needs to step up and my candidate would be Burke. They are 2 bats short. This series will not go 7, likely 6 but think there is a great chance it goes 5. A lot of people will think Gm 3 will go Astros way but like I said before playoffs look out for Morris who is pitching with a chip on his shoulder and playing for contract. That will be a low scoring game as think Morris will battle him just like he did Schilling few years back. Rambled long enough but more than 8 runs tomorrow night imo.
I really think more than 8 runs will be scored tomorrow night. Cards have really roughed up Oswalt on a couple of occasions this year and besides early matchup with 10 inning duel with Clemens on Sat. in April in Stl, Mulder has been hit around as well. Astros also know tomorrow probably will be for the series meaning if they don't win, it is a matter of when. For them to win this series, they must have chance to win it in Houston. What was really noticeable to me in tonights game was how much this team misses Beltran and Kent who may not have best stats but were money ballplayers when it came to getting the big hit or 2 out hit. Cards were able to pitch around Berkman and he helped us and make others beat us. Astros would be smart to get Burke in lineup as it seems this young player is breeming with confidence after hitting Gm 4 winning home run. He was suppose to challenge for ROY but it did not happen. Their bats looked lethargic tonight. Someone needs to step up and my candidate would be Burke. They are 2 bats short. This series will not go 7, likely 6 but think there is a great chance it goes 5. A lot of people will think Gm 3 will go Astros way but like I said before playoffs look out for Morris who is pitching with a chip on his shoulder and playing for contract. That will be a low scoring game as think Morris will battle him just like he did Schilling few years back. Rambled long enough but more than 8 runs tomorrow night imo.
arty:What is it going to take for people realizing the Cards are not going to fold this year? Betting against them 12-13 times? D2 has probably already put in his Angels or White Sox bet. LOL. Anyway, tonight game is the one that Cards need to win and have to win imo. Hopefully Mulder pitches well!
It is becoming obvious what Larussa's strategy is for the playoffs. Get a nice fairly early big lead, and take the other teams' closer out of the ballgame and in this case it is Lidge. Cards know what Lidge did to them ly and feel they will small ball Astros to death to make sure he is a non factor. Does anyone else have same observations?
D2,
A smart baseball man would know that when you are squeezing the pitcher in the 3rd inning that they are playing to get as many runs as possible. Most of the time in same situation, you would sac runner to first and play leadoff hitter to get hit to knock in 2 runs. Tony played to make sure he got a run. He has been doing this entire playoffs. He is reducing role Cards bullpen will play by giving starters more room for error and limiting stud closer on other team opportunities to play a significant role in outcome of a game. Bochy for Padres obviously not into moving runners along and GArner did not show any signs of it by always playing for big inning. Larussa has outmanaged both so far which is saying a lot with Larussa's chokes managing in playoffs over the years. He has been outstanding and a definite plus this year imo.
A smart baseball man would know that when you are squeezing the pitcher in the 3rd inning that they are playing to get as many runs as possible. Most of the time in same situation, you would sac runner to first and play leadoff hitter to get hit to knock in 2 runs. Tony played to make sure he got a run. He has been doing this entire playoffs. He is reducing role Cards bullpen will play by giving starters more room for error and limiting stud closer on other team opportunities to play a significant role in outcome of a game. Bochy for Padres obviously not into moving runners along and GArner did not show any signs of it by always playing for big inning. Larussa has outmanaged both so far which is saying a lot with Larussa's chokes managing in playoffs over the years. He has been outstanding and a definite plus this year imo.
jman,
Made no excuses ly as did not think they would win WS only get to WS. I said that they would dominate the post season this year. So far so good but only as good as next game. I think you are seeing a team that is on a coronation run. They are hungry as many of these guys never have won it like Edmonds,Pujols,Walker,Grudz,Carp,Izzy,Morris, etc and they know it is now or maybe never. Let's see if they can continue to finish it!
Made no excuses ly as did not think they would win WS only get to WS. I said that they would dominate the post season this year. So far so good but only as good as next game. I think you are seeing a team that is on a coronation run. They are hungry as many of these guys never have won it like Edmonds,Pujols,Walker,Grudz,Carp,Izzy,Morris, etc and they know it is now or maybe never. Let's see if they can continue to finish it!
