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2011 WS Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

Posted by on 18 October 2011, 8:33 am
Tony La Russa

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The 2011 World Series kicks off on Wednesday night, with the St. Louis Cardinals hosting the Texas Rangers to start this best of seven series.

Which team has the advantage?

I have watched both teams throughout this postseason and they match up well. So instead of going stat crazy, below are my cut and dry observations of the St. Louis Cardinals.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS:

The Good:

There is no denying that something special is going on in St. Louis. Remember the Cardinals were not supposed to be here. Actually the Cardinals were not supposed to make the post season, beat the Phillies or the Brewers either but this team continually defies the odds. Regardless that the Cardinals have the best player on earth, Albert Pujols, it is a total team effort in St. Louis and this team is hot. And when a team continually believes in themselves when no one else does, that is a team that will be hard to beat.

Also, the over-managing by skipper Tony La Russa has worked on all cylinders this post season. The sometimes-irritating La Russa is now baseball’s Einstein. The mixing and matching of his bullpen, after not one St. Louis starter in the ALCS pitched five innings, was beyond impressive. Not to mention his unconventional genius of carrying eight relievers just to make sure St. Louis didn’t get blown out by the bats of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. La Russa has been this team’s MVP this post season.

The Bad:

Thus far, the Cardinals starting pitching has gotten away with doing the bare minimum this post season because the bullpen has saved their behinds, and quite well. Still, the bullpen cannot be the Cardinals crutch, which means the starters have to contribute at least five innings because the relievers could easily run out of steam. This could be the difference maker as the Rangers hard-hitting bats can easily knock out any starter. Also, the Cardinals had a regular season record of 65-42 when a starting pitcher threw six or more innings. Continue reading ‘2011 WS Preview: St. Louis Cardinals’ »

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2011 World Series: Rangers vs. Cardinals Game Schedule

Posted by on 17 October 2011, 12:39 am

 

2011 World Series Schedule
Series Date Match-Up Network Air Time (ET)
Game One Wednesday, October 19 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
Game Two Thursday, October 20 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
Game Three Saturday, October 22 St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers FOX TBA
Game Four Sunday, October 23 St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers FOX TBA
Game Five* Monday, October 24 St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers FOX TBA
Game Six* Wednesday, October 26 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
Game Seven* Thursday, October 27 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
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New York Yankees Are Out So Who To Root For In Postseason

Posted by on 11 October 2011, 4:06 am

Everyone is well aware that the 2011 New York Yankees season is over; to be precise it concluded last Thursday in a heart wrenching ALDS Game 5 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

The 3-2 loss was about the worst thing I have ever saw at Yankee Stadium. It felt like a little of New York City’s heart broke that night and to say the fans didn’t do their job would be a crime, as the Stadium was as electric and more filled than the 2009 World Series…no joke.

Well, onward and upward as the postseason keeps moving forward with the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers.

Not sure how many New York, or East Coast viewers will be tuning into watch both Championship Series, but as a baseball fan you can bet that I plan to watch until the last out of the World Series.

My problem is that I have no answer for this one question that I have been asked about 20 times over the last three days by everyone from my Mom to the guy at Starbucks.

“Who do you want to win the 2011 World Series? You know since the Yankees lost.”

It is a legitimate question, but please note this does not entail me cheering for another team at all. Only which team would I not throw my remote at the TV with if they were to win.

For me no matter the sport, if my team is not in the championship there is usually one team that I wouldn’t mind winning a title. This has never been the easiest choice in the past, so why is it almost impossible this time?

Maybe because out of the four remaining postseason teams, somehow, individually have an aspect that bothers the hell out of me; and in turn, I just can’t commit.

MilwaukeeBrewers:

If you don’t know who T-Plush is by now, please accept my apology in advance.

T-Plush is short for Tony Plush, which is the self-appointed “name on the field” or his “gentleman’s name” of the outspoken, outfielder Nyjer Morgan.

Morgan annoys the hell out of me because his antics are so ridiculous that it takes away from his talent. Morgan has been known to start trouble for no reason with opposing teams, flicks off fans, and looks for trouble too much.

I get the love/hate thing Brewers fans have with T-Plush because he does come through in the clutch, followed by shouting some f-bombs in his post game interviews that I guess are amusing. Still, the day Tony Plush ran his mouth at Cardinals Albert Pujols was arrogance gone overboard. Funny thing is now look who his Brewers NLCS opponents are…guess Nyjer needs a tall glass of Shut-the Plush-Up.

Texas Rangers:

I have stuck to the theory that the Rangers are so overrated and get thrown bones left and right from ESPN, MLB Network etc. Excuses, and more excuses for a team that plays in the AL West. The Rangers will come back down to earth once the Angels get Kendry Morales back in 2012, and considering 37 of their 2011 wins were against the Mariners, A’s and Indians speaks volumes. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Are Out So Who To Root For In Postseason’ »

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New York Yankees Fans Are You Ready For Some Baseball

Posted by on 28 September 2011, 2:31 pm
Bench-clearing brawl on June 5, 2008 game betw...

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Tonight baseball nation will be watching, as four teams will be battling but not against each other for the last two coveted Wild Card postseason spots.

In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays (90-71) are tied with the Boston Red Sox (90-71) so if both teams win or lose there will be a sudden death game played tomorrow between these to AL East powerhouses.

Same scenario in the National League, as the Atlanta Braves (89-72) and St. Louis Cardinals (89-72) are both striving to clinch a playoff berth tonight, but if tied the two will also duel it out against each other tomorrow to determine the winner.

This is about as good as it gets for baseball fans, and if you have any friends who are on the fence about loving America’s Pastime this would be the night to make sure they are tuned in.

Here is the TV schedule for tonight’s match-ups courtesy of MLB.com (EST listed):

Wed, Sep 28 7:05 pm Boston Red Sox Baltimore Orioles ESPN
Wed, Sep 28 7:10 pm Philadelphia Phillies Atlanta Braves

ESPN2
Wed, Sep 28 7:10 pm New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays ESPN
Wed, Sep 28 8:05 pm St. Louis Cardinals Houston Astros ESPN2

As the best athlete of out generation once said:

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordon

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Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB August Monthly Power Rankings

Posted by on 1 September 2011, 12:06 am

The 2011 MLB season is heading into its last month, as the month of August comes to a close.

Once again, August was no short of drama, as teams battled it out to stay in contention with the hopes of playing in October.

While some teams are on the road to being crowned World Series Champions, others have no choice but to look towards next season.

So, how did your team finish the month of August?

Check out Lady Loves Pinstripes Monthly Power Rankings below:

Agree or Disagree…speak your mind by leaving a comment below the post.

Continue reading ‘Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB August Monthly Power Rankings’ »

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Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB July Monthly Power Rankings

Posted by on 1 August 2011, 4:11 am

The trade deadline marked the close to the month of July, as now the real fun begins; that is if your team still has a shot at playing in October.

Where does your team stand at the end of July?

My advice to baseball fans is to catch some Bieber Fever, and Never, Say Never.

With a ton of baseball still left in the 2011 season October is up for grabs, so see where your team stands on my July Monthly Power Rankings; and comments are encouraged.

JULY

MLB TEAM

JUNE

COMMENTS. WHY?

1

 Philadelphia Phillies

2

 Trading for Hunter Pence was a legit and necessary move….and it is already paying off.

2

 Boston Red Sox

3

 Injury prone Erik Bedard better be just a stopgap for injured Clay Buckholz…. still a desperate move by GM Theo Epstein.

3

 New York Yankees

1

 If any team can win with hitting it is the Bronx Bombers…. silence at trade deadline was golden back in 1998.

4

 San Francisco Giants

4

 Carlos Beltran was a great move till the Phillies and Braves made better ones.

5

 Atlanta Braves

5

 Michael Bourne is perfect leadoff hitter with .303 BA, 26 doubles and 39 SB; keep an eye on this team when McCann returns.

6

 St. Louis Cardinals

8

 Made the most of the trade market adding SS Furcal ,OF Paterson, SP Jackson, RP Dotel and P Rzepczynski. Cards fans should be excited.

7

 Texas Rangers

10

 Still don’t trust a team with 2nd most errors in baseball; adding Uehara and Adams at trade

8

 Detroit Tigers

6

 Can the pitching hold-up to win the AL Central? Tigers have a 50-50 chance it could go either way.

9

 Arizona Diamondbacks

11

 Don’t count the D-Backs out just yet; a young, talented and hungry organization could do damage down the stretch.

10

 Milwaukee Brewers

9

 Rickie Weeks injury couldn’t have come at a worse time but Jerry Harriston is experienced and versatile enough to hold down the fort…at least at home.

11

 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

12

 Keeping a position to pounce and take what is rightfully theirs… the AL West.

12

 Cleveland Indians

14

 Be Aggressive… until the Tribe doesn’t make the playoffs; doubtful Jimenez trade will make enough of an impact.

13

 Tampa Bay Rays

7

 Should have been sellers as not catching Yankees and Red Sox this season; James Shields could have brought a truckload of prospects.

14

 Pittsburgh Pirates

15

 Use the 19th inning loss as a motivator to prove that Pittsburgh is resilient.

15

 Chicago White Sox

18

 Ozzie’s boys will win this division…. mark my word. Jackson trade brings a moan of relief.

16

 Cincinnati Reds

13

 Proving that making postseason in 2010 was not a forecast of good things to come. Needed to do something at trade deadline, not copy the Yankees.

17

 Toronto Blue Jays

19

 Can this team please move to the NL? Or just anywhere that is NOT the AL East?

18

 New York Mets

16

 GM is cleaning up shop and Reyes will be a Met after this season. Next project is fixing CitiField…

19

 Washington Nationals

17

 Phenom pitcher Stephen Strasburg could be back in rotation in September….but why not just wait till 2012?

20

 Colorado Rockies

21

 Even a bigger disappointment than the Reds…second half surge was obviously luck.

21

 Oakland Athletics

22

 Billy Beane for Brad Pitt? Moneyball the movie will win more awards than A’s ever will….

22

 Minnesota Twins

29

 Finally, my “Joe Mauer Is Overrated” theory it panning out.

23

 Florida Marlins

25

 Should give new ballpark to Rays…because Marlins deserve to play in the Trop Dome.

24

 Los Angeles Dodgers

25

 Matt Kemp is on his way to winning NL MVP; now he should go get Rihanna back and enjoy it.

25

 Kansas City Royals

26

 1B Eric Hosmer is tremendous and Royals fans know that means he won’t be around much longer.

26

 Chicago Cubs

28

 Hey at least things got bad earlier than normal this season….FYI the something still ain’t working.

27

 Seattle Mariners

20

 17-game losing streak; wasting King Felix again; and Michael Pineda better get out of there unless Mariners get new ownership.

28

 San Diego Padres

27

 Health Bell still has his bags packed and hopefully Padres can get him the ball so he can prove it before waiver-wire trade deadline Aug 31.

29

 Baltimore Orioles

24

 Are the Orioles ever going to be good? Traded Lee and Uehara but who cares….

30

 Houston Astros

30

 FIRE SALE….memo to Astros stop answering the phone because you getting punked.
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New York Yankees: Appreciating Bombers Bloggers

Posted by on 1 May 2011, 1:25 am

While I was doing my normal meandering around the Internet reading baseball stuff, I came to a story on a site called Cardinals GM that I had to share because it shocked me, in a good way.

This article was more of a thank you to the St. Louis Cardinals for hosting such a wonderful Bloggers Day, with a detailed accounting of why the attendees were so appreciative. Once you read this you will understand why these Cardinals bloggers were so blown away.

The Cardinals Bloggers Day took place on Opening Day, included many cool activities’ organized by the franchise and it concluded with free Legends Seats for the game as much free food and drinks as you wanted.

The Cardinals Organizations Exudes Class for Social Media Day at Busch Stadium got me wondering why the New York Yankees have never hosted anything for Yankee Bloggers, or even acknowledged our existent for that matter.

I have no idea if the Cardinals are the only MLB team to reach out like this. The fact that even just one team took time to show their gratitude, for literally the writers who boost their internet fame, is sufficient enough for me to feel a real lack of respect.

Would it be so hard for the Yankees to do this?

St. Louis is a baseball town and maybe the city itself is not like New York, but not many places are. Still, the Cardinals have a cult fan following and the club itself has a history that could rival New York’s, minus in # of World Series rings.

So, my question is why don’t all MLB teams take a few hours once a season to host their own Bloggers Day?

Maybe some still don’t think bloggers matter, but let me tell you that is just plain ignorant.

The reality is that sports bloggers were fans way before the Internet was invented, so making us feel important to an organization could pay-off BIG time down the road. Think about it…. and finally just two quick notes:

To Brain Cashman: I am waiting for your phone call.

To the Cardinals: What an awesome thing to do for your biggest fans, and I hope all 29 other ball-clubs take notice.

 

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