BP: Cardinals and Dempster are mirages

[Banedon]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/05/01/bp.realitycheck/1.html

 

They note that the Cards have had the easiest schedule in the majors, and their pitchers have faced low slugging percentage teams.

 

They also note that Dempster is pitching way above his head, and has a new affinity for ground balls that isn't likely to stay that way.

[Little Slide Rooter]

They're right. WHo have they had? They beat the Giants, Nats, Reds, and Astros in series, and split with the Brewers, and I forget how they did in the Rockies series. Meanwhile weve had the Mets and Phillies, plus the Brewers twice who always give us their all.

[Backtobanks]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/05/01/bp.realitycheck/1.html

 

They note that the Cards have had the easiest schedule in the majors, and their pitchers have faced low slugging percentage teams.

 

They also note that Dempster is pitching way above his head, and has a new affinity for ground balls that isn't likely to stay that way.

 

That's why people need to be reminded that it is still very early and it's a long season. Not long ago you had players like Cabrera and Tulowitski hitting below .200, teams like the Tigers losing every game and being shut out, and the Orioles in 1st place. When it's all said and done, you can be reasonably sure which teams will be in contention and which players will shine.

[Brian]

I don't think its that unrealistic to believe Dempster is talented enough to put up the April he did, he is also talented enough to put up an 0-4 May with 6+ ERA though.

[chitowngui]

and they also said the Cards had no chances to win any playoff games in 2006. :pig:

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/05/01/bp.realitycheck/1.html

 

They note that the Cards have had the easiest schedule in the majors, and their pitchers have faced low slugging percentage teams.

 

They also note that Dempster is pitching way above his head, and has a new affinity for ground balls that isn't likely to stay that way.

[TruffleShuffle]

if dempster doesn't stop walking 4.5 guys per 9 innings, his return to earth will not be particularly pretty.

[Butterscup1679666578]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

[razzzorsharp]

I am not up to date but what are Dempster's IP like the last couple of years. I bring this up as he may go through an extended dead-arm period as he adjusts to the extra work.

 

Also, the Cardinals are a mirage in my mind. Their lineup is very weak (5th best in the NL Cent.) and their pitching will come back to the norm at some point.

[chitowngui]

just curious.. what was it the year they wont the world series.. it could not have been that good. all you need is consistency.

 

Their lineup is very weak (5th best in the NL Cent.) and their pitching will come back to the norm at some point.

[SouthSideRyan]

just curious.. what was it the year they wont the world series.. it could not have been that good. all you need is consistency.

 

Their lineup is very weak (5th best in the NL Cent.) and their pitching will come back to the norm at some point.

 

All these comparisons to the '06 team are off base. The only part of the Cards I could see as better this year is Molina '08 and the back of the rotation.

[BigSlick]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

[David]

just curious.. what was it the year they wont the world series.. it could not have been that good. all you need is consistency.

 

Their lineup is very weak (5th best in the NL Cent.) and their pitching will come back to the norm at some point.

 

Or a division that sucks so bad that you win it with like 83 wins and then a hot streak in the playoffs.

 

Their "consistency" would've been good for around 3rd place and no playoff appearance in most divisions.

[C.C.]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

 

Diamondbacks say hi, and raise you a -3.

[BigSlick]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

I wasn't being that demanding with "good" i meant you know, just a bit above league average

[C.C.]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

 

Diamondbacks say hi, and raise you a -3.

 

Yep. They are one of the "rare" teams.

[C.C.]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

I wasn't being that demanding with "good" i meant you know, just a bit above league average

 

I don't think Carlos is just good. I think he's great. One of the best pitchers in the league.

[BigSlick]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

I wasn't being that demanding with "good" i meant you know, just a bit above league average

 

I don't think Carlos is just good. I think he's great. One of the best pitchers in the league.

I'm talking about the rest of the rotation.

 

Marquis is a loser, Lilly is still struggling but may have put it together a bit and who knows what we're getting with Lieber and/or Hill

 

If Dempster goes we have one decent pitcher left

[C.C.]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

I wasn't being that demanding with "good" i meant you know, just a bit above league average

 

I don't think Carlos is just good. I think he's great. One of the best pitchers in the league.

I'm talking about the rest of the rotation.

 

Marquis is a loser, Lilly is still struggling but may have put it together a bit and who knows what we're getting with Lieber and/or Hill

 

If Dempster goes we have one decent pitcher left

 

I totally agree, but you can say that for just about any team in the league.

[TruffleShuffle]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

 

Diamondbacks say hi, and raise you a -3.

 

Yep. They are one of the "rare" teams.

 

who's the diamondbacks' really good #3?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

These are both true, but I'll gladly take Dempster falling off the map if it means the Cards will too.

If Dempster falls off we have exactly 1 good starting pitcher left

 

 

Which is just about on par with the rest of the league. It's rare to see any team with a bonafide 1-2 punch these days.

 

Diamondbacks say hi, and raise you a -3.

 

Yep. They are one of the "rare" teams.

 

who's the diamondbacks' really good #3?

 

Owings isn't "really good", but he's got solid peripherals. Scherzer could be that guy as well.