Into the 16th in Chicago....

[Brian]

Watching the Sox game, 16th inning 4-4. Both of these teams offense's suck, just choking with RISP.

 

I don't know if I'm tired or what, but Hawk said something that made me laugh. :shock:

 

DJ - "Jenks is pitching his butt off here."

Hawk - "Well if he's doing that he can pitch for awhile." (that's a little off)

[Brian]

Twins take the lead with a ball off Crede's glove.

[UMFan83]

Sox now 17-17 in their last 34 games. Not exactly as bad as the Cubs have been at times recently, but not exactly storming into September either....

[indifferent]

I think the Cards are .5 games out of the best record in baseball (although my math is admittedly shaky). From what I've seen, their pitching has not been that bad lately, but their offense to me seemed always feast or famine. Hermanson blew a save, correct? That started the whole extra innings debacle.

 

Probably not the best place to ask because of the rivalry and also because the Cubs have beaten us thus far (i.e. haven't seen our best baseball so far), but what do you think is the Cards biggest weakness in the post season?

[Brian]

but what do you think is the Cards biggest weakness in the post season?

 

Past 1-2, I still don't know about your starting pitching, BUT your 1-2 (Carp, Mulder (at night, which all WS games are) weren't in the postseason last year so that goes in your favor.

[Brian]

FWIW, I think Cards would destroy the White Sox if that was the World Series.

[rickrolled]

I think the Cards are .5 games out of the best record in baseball (although my math is admittedly shaky). From what I've seen, their pitching has not been that bad lately, but their offense to me seemed always feast or famine. Hermanson blew a save, correct? That started the whole extra innings debacle.

 

Probably not the best place to ask because of the rivalry and also because the Cubs have beaten us thus far (i.e. haven't seen our best baseball so far), but what do you think is the Cards biggest weakness in the post season?

 

I think a lot depends on the health of Walker and Rolen. They've had some injury issues this season and they need to at least be close to 100% for the playoffs. It's tough to win in the postseason with guys like John Rodriguez and Abraham Nunez in your lineup.

[indifferent]

I don't think Rolen will be back in any meaningful way. I think Walker will be useful to us in the post season only. I don't doubt Sanders will be back and useful. Molina will help a ton; I know Cubs fans disparage his offense quite a bit. He is the most missed player of the four simply because he has been the most difficult to replace.

[Wild_Cubs04]

FWIW, I think Cards would destroy the White Sox if that was the World Series.

 

Agreed, I think the Cards would chew up and spit out the White Sox.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Not only are the Cards .5 games behind the Sox, the Red Sox are right there with them. I think it's only like 4.5 games now or something. And the Red Sox are hot right now while the White Sox are struggling (if you can call being in first place and having the best record "struggling").

 

I think if the Cards want to win it this year, they are going to need more consistent outings from Morris and Mulder. Plus, getting the injured guys back will help a ton. A more consistent line up will mean more runs. If you can get the pitching going well in the playoffs, and those injured guys can come back at even 75-80%, I don't see any team beating you this year.

 

I don't think the White Sox stand a chance against a healthy Cards team. The Cards keep winning despite their injuries. The Sox have gone on a slide once Podsednik got hurt. And Ozzie has relied a little too much on Buerhle, Garland, and Garcia. I think at least two of those guys might be wearing down (not Buerhle). But that's just my opinion.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

And I also think LaRussa should start cutting Carpenter's workload. The guy has gone over 200 innings once in his career (ended up on the DL the next year). There's a chance he might not have the stamina to keep this up through the playoffs.

[snoodmonger]

I know Cubs fans disparage his offense quite a bit.

 

at .255/.292/.365, it's kind of hard not to.

[indifferent]

I know Cubs fans disparage his offense quite a bit.

 

at .255/.292/.365, it's kind of hard not to.

 

But you'd agree it's better than .163/.227/.229 or .218/.232/.290.

 

Plus, you know we miss Molina's game calling and defense.

 

Not everyone can have a Barrett.

[UK1679666180]

I'd worry about the health of the staff as you can say that with most teams. I'd be concerned about Morris's recent play, Marquis has been up and down, more down lately. Suppan is a quality btm of the rotation starters, Mulder has been inconsistent, and Carpenter has been amazing. Much will depend on the status of Morris and Mulder this final month, especially Morris.

 

I wouldn't worry about the offense, bullpen, or coaching.

[EastonBlues22]

I know Cubs fans disparage his offense quite a bit.

 

at .255/.292/.365, it's kind of hard not to.

 

But you'd agree it's better than .163/.227/.229 or .218/.232/.290.

 

Plus, you know we miss Molina's game calling and defense.

 

Not everyone can have a Barrett.

Not to mention that after his first month, his contributions at the plate were more along the lines of .289/.330/.440 (the last two are not calculated, just eyeballed).

[wolf stansson]

I'd be concerned about Morris's recent play, Marquis has been up and down, more down lately. Suppan is a quality btm of the rotation starters, Mulder has been inconsistent.

+++

There it is. But one intriguing factor is Mulder. I believe his night era is second in the majors to Rocket. His day era is in the highs 7's. I think it all hinges on Morris.

[UK1679666180]

Morris has turned into the Morris of last year, 8 HRs in 6 starts since the break, 15 more hits than IP.

 

It hasn't been flukish, he hasn't looked sharp. His FB seems flat right now.

 

See what happens if they skip a start, I think it would wise to allow Reyes some starts from now the end of the year for each of the 4 starters likely to start in the post-season (that depends on how many IP Reyes will have at the end of the year, if he's beyond 150IP, I'd shut him down).

[UK1679666180]

Watching Marquis is painful in a non-biased way. He has no idea of where the release point is on his breaking pitch, he has too much arch in his back and I've never been fond of the hesitation during his delivery.

 

That's even before mentioning his mental state.

[wolf stansson]

Watching Marquis is painful in a non-biased way. He has no idea of where the release point is on his breaking pitch, he has too much arch in his back and I've never been fond of the hesitation during his delivery.

 

That's even before mentioning his mental state.

To me it's painfully reminiscent of Garrett Stephenson, Brett Tomko, and Dustin Hermanson.