Analyzing WS Game 4: What affects will rainout or more have on both teams?

Been giving a ton of thought to what affects this rainout or subsequent rainouts will have on Cardinals and Tigers and who it affects more?

Looking at the Tigers: The main question for me is how does this mentally and physically affect Jeremy Bonderman. Bonderman is a young pitcher who has not pitched since Oct 14th which is nearly 2 weeks ago. That is a long time for a sp used to going on 4 to 5 days rest max. The biggest issue physically with the layoff is will Bonderman have pinpoint control after not having pitched in several days. Normally a veteran I would say would know how to prepare on the side between starts to maximize their sharpness leading up to the start. I don't know if this is necessarily case for Bonderman. Look at how rusty Verlander the other youngster was with nearly same amount of time off. Throw in the fact he will be pitching off of a mound he never has pitched on before, stadium he has never played in, first WS start, and a hostile environment, I have some serious doubts. I have not watched Bonderman pitch a ton so don't know his mental makeup. In regards to the mental side of things, I know a youngster would have a ton of butterflies going into high pressure start. I also know that waiting all night to pitch in the biggest game of his life and then having to wait at least another 24 hours or more is not a good thing for a youngster. If Rogers was pitching Game 4 going through the same situation, he has been around the block and would know how to get through it . Will it be enough for Bonderman to rely on veterans and Leyland's experience in this situation or will his youth in this situation be a real problem? Second. Tigers having been geared up for tonight to play Game 4 knowing very well how important (near must win) this game is be able to for second night or longer in a row be able to control their emotions enough to play with same intensity going through the motions a second time?

Thoughts on Cardinals: The fact game was cancelled, allows crowd to be at full strength and energized. Second, allows Suppan an extra day of rest which for a veteran is always a positive. For a veteran, rest is very important this time of year. Suppan has proven last 3 years to be the most mentally tough sp on the Cards and that includes Carpenter. Third, with all the bumps and bruises Cards everyday players have (Rolen-shoulder,Pujols-hammy, Edmonds-what isn't hurting, Eckstein-abdomen) has to be a godsend.

Overall, I think this situation favors the veteran team in the Cards by a wide margin. I was not betting on Game 4 but I am strongly going to reconsider with current situation. Any thoughts?

Let me be the first to say:

best of luck to you and your Cardinals in game number 4!!!

Good to hear from you savant. You will have to im me one of these day to shoot the shit. Hope things are well on the home front eh. BOL

You make some pretty good points, but I think you are probably overanalyzing the impact of some of these things just a touch perhaps.


The impact I see from it is that Suppan will not be able to pitch game 7 if it is Sunday now, which they were considering skipping Reyes. Now it doesn't seem like that is an option, so it hurts the Cards from that standpoint, more than the small edges help them in this next game. That is my take on it.

Another thing to consider, is what does Tony and Leyland do if Cards win Game 4 if played. If he knows, he would have a chance to clinch it at home vs going back to Detroit, does he go for the jugular? I would think worst case scenario, if I was Tony, that if Game 5 was on Friday as planned right now, I would pitch Jeff Weaver and go for the win. I likely would follow up Game 6 with Carpenter. I think it would be difficult to win Game 7 a second time on the road so the earlier they get it done the better. If they were to lose GAme 4, I would still pitch Weaver in Game 5 on Friday. If they won Game 5, then I would pitch Reyes Game 6. If they lost it, I would go to Carpenter for Game 6, and see what happens for Game 7. The longer it goes, the bigger the edge for the Tigers imo.

Nice for SL just to be home instead of a hotel like Det also, I can't see it being good for Tigers at all.

Bernie Miklasz...the Fat...and when I say fat...Dude is 375 minimum...Columnist for the StLouis Post Dispatch found enough time to put down his case of KrispyKreme's to report the following:

"The weather obviously is making a difference in the planning...

Suppan in Game 4...

TLR indicates to us that Weaver will be the choice for Game 5...

After that is anyone's guess; part of it depends on if there are additional rainouts...

however: much depends on where the series stands after five games; if the Cardinals are down 3-2, Carpenter more of a possibility for Game 6... then take their chances with Reyes -- and all men in -- for a Game 7 if necessary. "

Again, this is from Donuts Miklasz. He is usually spot on with his info, because he sits in LaRussa's office after the games...and shares a KrispyKreme or two with the skipper.

Also, analyzing the series to date I really see two evenly matched teams. Both teams play solid defense with slight edge to Cards and the gold glovers. Offensively, Cards may have better studs but Tigers deeper but offset by Cards bench players. Rate hitting even. Starting pitching on paper looked to be a big edge to Tigers and their depth but so far Cards have outpitched them as a group so there has been no expected edge for Tigers. Relief pitching before playoffs, during playoffs, and before series, look to be edge Tigers but once again has proven to be the opposite. I think what may play a big role in these final 2 games in STL is no dh causing the Tigers to use their bench. Their bench players besides Thames may be the worst in baseball. Alexis Gomez, Infante,Perez, Santiago, and Wilson is horrible and will be exposed compared to Cards bench of Spezio,Duncan,Miles, Rodriguez, Taguchi, and Bennett ( assuming Wilson and Encanarcion start). Managers will rate as even with no significant edge either way. The only way I see Tigers winning this series is through their sp picking it up and Cards having to let down. I am not sure it is going to happen with them well rested at this point. Any thoughts?

Tony Mar,
Looks like Larussa is thinking along the same lines I am in moving Weaver up to Game 5 and having Carp ready to go either of last 2 games. He must also think he must maximize number of wins Cards get at home which has to at least be one of next 2 and if it is Game 4, going for the jugular. By the way, tell Bernie to send some of those jelly Krispy Kremes my way as they sound damn good right now with a big glass of milk.

Kojak...

I dislike Bernie Miklasz (BM=Bowel Movement)...

He is an overgrown baby...IMO.

Thing I do not like about him is that he tosses out the info, and if he does not get enough praise or people kissing his fat A$$...he acts like a three-year-old...and threatens to quit giving out these "pearls", and will take away everyones toys...LOL...funny to see a grown man act like that...

Anyway...

You and LaRussa are on the exact same page. Spot on analysis.

Tony Mar,
I tell you where I lost some respect for Bernie is early in the week following Tar Gate. I don't know if you go to Bernie's talk forum but he would not answer any questions posters asked him and if it involved Tar Gate, Larussa, or questioning him or STPD, they were totally censoring all the posts and making them vanish. Bernie gets good scoop but he needs to take a side and be more opinionated.

Kojak...

Another HR by you.

You are exactly right. This is the lead columnist in St.Louis' paper we are talking about.

This is the same guy that took shots at McGwire after the Congressional Hearing. He called out Bonds...trashed him. He was all over the previous owner of the Blues...that Laurie guy...he ripped LaRussa for not resting Rolen...he is always opinionated about anyone and anything...

Then when Rogers cheated like he did in Game two...Miklasz said it was "nothing"...no big deal at all...had no opinion at all...said Cardinal fans were "sheep"...LOL...

Then he flip flopped on Monday...and was curious about LaRussa's handling of it more than the cheating. It was sick to see the lead columnist in STL do that.

Lastly...you are again spot on...He deleted posts and threads about "Tar gate"...he then shut down the pressbox forum to users that were posting about it...he did not like it...so he took away their toys...LOL. Cannot stand that baffoon.

Tony Mar,
The thing that makes me sick about the censorship is how news and media exploit people on a daily basis but when people came to Bernie with questions he simply shut people off and erased posts. The fact that he is the moderator means the finger can only be pointed at one person: Bernie. This idiot on KFNS who asked for LaRussa to resign over Tar Gate (who imo did it as a publicity stunt to gain popularity as he was almost hated) should have asked for Bernie to resign over this censorship. The only person anymore at STPD who I find to be a good read right or wrong is Burwell who is also on KFNS. This guy is opinionated, sticks to his guns, and will mix it up with callers. He belongs here in Chicago with Mike North.

Another point on reviewing series to date is the head to head matchup of LaRussa (teacher) and Leyland(pupil). Though both have good resume's , I thought Leyland had an edge coming into series due to his past 5 years as scout and liason to Jocketty in Cards organization. He has been outmanaged to this point in the series. Hell the Mets Randolph did a better job vs Cards. I don't know if it is execution or gameplan but they have done a poor job vs Rolen and Edmonds this series and have pitched to Pujols in key situations. He even brought in Zumaya much earlier than expected and he was not used to situation similar to closer coming into game in non save situation. Leyland better get with it as Tony is several steps ahead of him. He also better be prepared for worst case of losing Game 4 because if he pitches Verlander, this series never goes back to Detroit. His only chance would be to pitch Rogers in hostile environment.

Kojak said:

Overall, I think this situation favors the veteran team in the Cards by a wide margin.

Click to expand...

Kojak,

You're such a homer, I love it.

Hope to be dancing in the streets after tonight's and Friday night's game.

arty:

The Cardinal players look well rested and ready to beat the Tigers aka ***** Cats in St. Louis. The Cardinals will be popping the Champayne in St. Louis Friday night. Go Cards.