| |
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 3, 2008
|
|
It's early in the season but this is a BIG NL Central series. This will tell us how we're stacking up against the top of the division.
Pujols is hitting just under .400, Ankiel and Molina are just a shade under .300.
So far in the young season we've good pitching from a thrown together staff that, with Piniero, keeps getting healthier.
Any thoughts on how the series will go? Who might step up and make some things happen?
GO CARDS!!!
|
|
|
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 30, 2007
|
|
Finally back at home. And Thursday is a day game so I say we take 2 of 3 at least. This is a big early series and a chance to get a couple games breathing room.
|
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 9, 2007
|
|
Wow, how happy are you guys with the start your Cardinals are off to? I've gotta be honest and say that I was definitely among those individuals who thought they would be on the fringe of being out of contention already at this point in the season. It just goes to show you that the 3 main ingredients to winning baseball are pitching, pitching and pitching; and a healthy Albert Pujols doesn't hurt.
As far as this series goes, I am not excited about the Brewers' situation. We've got the bottom of our rotation (Bush, Villanueva and Parra) up against Looper, Wainwright and Lohse. I would like to think that Looper and Lohse would be due for a shalacking, but they are pitching very well right now and are really firing on all cylinders.
Dave Bush is awful and will likely be making his last start for the Brewers for some time. Although Ned Yost hasn't stated who will be out when Gallardo returns next week, Yovani is coincidentally making his last rehab start today in Nashville which would allow him to return to the rotation in Bush's spot. Villanueva and Parra are both very good young pitchers, but as youngsters, they aren't entirely stretched out yet to be able to turn in 7 quality innings. They both appear to be running out of gas around the 5th/6th inning and giving up runs in bunches then. They both have ERA's in the upper-4's, but that number is a bit skewed because they have given up runs in their last inning of work in all of their outings. This is actually what the Brewers want from them; not the giving up runs late, but the shortened outings. When Gallardo returns, the Brewers will likely have 3/5 of their starting rotation with a combined 305 innings of major league service heading into the 2008 season. If the Brewers intend to compete down the stretch this year, they are going to have to keep the mileage down on these 3.
The good news for the Brewers is that they are 8-4 even though Prince Fielder is batting .222 with only 6 RBI and 0 HR's, Ryan Braun is batting only .226 with 9 RBI's thanks to his 3 HR's, JJ Hardy is only batting .205 with 3 RBI's, Mike Cameron is serving his suspension and as mentioned above, their pitching phenom Gallardo has yet to make a start. The Brewers are a top 5 MLB offense right now and their 3 best offensive players from a year ago are yet to get going. When they do, look out.
I'd obviously love for the Brewers to take 2 of 3 from you guys, but the outlook isn't so good with the pitching match-ups. Although the Brewers are coming off pretty strong offensive performances in which they defeated Johan Santana and the previously unscored upon Oliver Perez.
The good news for the Brewers is that with the exception of Eric Gagne's opening day performance and Seth McClung's (who is going to find himself unemployed when Gallardo returns) poor outing in which he surrendered 5 ER in 2.0 IP, the Brewers' bullpen has only allowed 9 ER in 33.1 IP; good enough for a 2.44 ERA. Of course you can't exclude such outings, so the Brewers bullpen ERA is actually 4.21 but it's a bit skewed because of two poor outings. Eric Gagne appears to be getting back to form. He's back around 94-96 mph with his fastball and his command has been coming around. He's retired the last 7 batters he's faced which isn't much, but we've gotta take baby steps with him at this point.
My overall prediction; I certainly don't think the Cardinals are going to sweep the Brewers, but it's tough for me to find a pitching match-up that favors the Brewers. I'd like to think the Brewers could beat Looper, but I'm not so certain with Dave Bush on the mound. I don't know where it's gonna come from, but the Brewers get one win in this series. Maybe one game gets ugly and the Brewers can steal one more, but i'll be surprisingly content with one.
|
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 9, 2007
|
|
Finally back at home. And Thursday is a day game so I say we take 2 of 3 at least. This is a big early series and a chance to get a couple games breathing room.
The best part of playing head to head is that, as long as you don't get swept, you are only going to lose one game. If the Brewers win 2 of 3, they are still only up by a half a game and if the Cards win 2 of 3, the Brewers are still only down a game and half. It's too early in the season for these head to head matchups to be devastating; unless of course a team gets swept. Something like that can put a team in a funk real quick.
|
|
|
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 11, 2007
|
|
I have seen a couple of different projected pitching matchups, but it looks like you will get our bottom three starters so you will have the clear advantage. Plus your offense is clicking on far more cylanders than our offense despite the outburst yesterday. I wouldnt be surprised if the Cards threatened to sweep this series.
|
|
|
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 30, 2007
|
|
I was only saying that a home day game for the Cards is good news. We are awefully good during the day at home. Not that I'm a genius or anything, but with the pithching matchup I still say we should take at least 2.
|
|
|
Reputation:79
Level:Pro
Since:May 28, 2007
|
|
It really depends on who comes out to play those days. Usually players step up more when it is head to head divisional matchups. It really doesn't matter what point it is in the season, these guysdo not want to lose to each other ever, it's too important to be ahead in the division. The Cardinals needed today off, they looked a little sluggish yesterday, not to mention the home plate umpire not helping our cause with some of the worst calls i have seen this year, being the strike zone that is. Brewers are tough, but I agree with the Cardinals sweeping, of course i know, because we are at home again and we are hitting very well.
|
|
|
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 11, 2007
|
|
I agree goodhog, The Cards should be favored to win at least two of three. The only thing that gives me caution is that the Cards have not played any real good teams yet (outside of Colorado, but Colorado is not playing all that well right now) and have not seen all that much good pitching. The Cards pitching has been excellent and that keeps up they are going to be in the mix, then again, we have seen some chinks in that lately as well. I just dont have faith in the Brewer lineup right now. Not that I dont in the long haul, but right now they are scuffling. We saw some great signes the last two games against the Mets and with the lineup switch, maybe they get it going. We shall see.
|
|
|
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 20, 2006
|
|
