Cards Rotation for the playoffs

[indifferent]

I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I know UK's commented before on what he would do if he were LaRussa/Duncan.

 

How would you slate the Cards rotation in the playoffs? We go Carp, Mulder, and then who? LaRussa's stating he's not waivering from starting Morris 3rd which I think is a big mistake.

 

Here's Morris and Suppan's numbers for the year and post all star break.

 

Throughout the year

G GS W L Sv Hld IP H ER HR BB SO K/9 P/GS WHIP ERA

 

29 29 14 10 0 0 173.1 190 71 22 58 94 4.88 94.3 1.43 3.69 Suppan

27 27 14 8 0 0 171.2 188 77 17 30 104 5.45 93.4 1.27 4.04 MM

 

 

After the break...

G GS W LSvHld IP H ER HR BB SO K/9 P/GS WHIP ERA

 

11 11 5 3 0 0 66.1 65 21 8 24 38 5.16 248.5 1.34 2.85 Suppan

11 11 4 6 0 0 67.0 92 41 11 14 31 4.16 229.4 1.58 5.51 MM

 

Also, Marquis has put together some impressive starts since his low point. During his severe rough spell, he had several great outings where given even normal MLB run support he would have won.

 

Any thoughts? My vote's for Suppan. I also think Marquis is best suited out of the pen because he's mental and does better with short notice, he's a sinker baller, and we could use him as a pinch hitter. Morris is number 4.

[wolf stansson]

Suppan just because he won't do anything unexpected. He probably won't dominate, but then again he probably won't have a complete meltdown.

[Garwilly]

The Cards are going to clinch while they are in Chicago in all likely hood. They wont celebrate a Houston loss as the "clinchiner" as they didnt last year, so the only way to keep their bubbly off of our field is to sweep them. Christ.

[wolf stansson]

They'll do it in the tiny, cramped clubhouse; on the field would be bush.

[UK1679666180]

Sinkerballers are typically worse off in the early innings and get better the longer they get tired b/c they stop overthrowing.

 

With that said, Marquis could do fine out of the pen if Duncan extends his warmup time. I know Marquis has been prone to meltdowns later in the ballgame and pitch better early, but he's going against the grain of a tradit. sinker ball pitcher.

 

I still question his ability to concentrate as well.

 

As far as the rotation...

 

Carp

Mulder (hopefully a night game for STL)

Suppan

Morris

 

Marquis

Tavarez

King

Reyes

Isringhausen

Thompson

Flores

 

(they'll go with Eldred over Thompson)

Edited September 13, 2005 by UK

[reggiemiller rules]

Sinkerballers are typically worse off in the early innings and get better the longer they get tired b/c they stop overthrowing.

 

With that said, Marquis could do fine out of the pen if Duncan extends his warmup time. I know Marquis has been prone to meltdowns later in the ballgame and pitch better early, but he's going against the grain of a tradit. sinker ball pitcher.

 

I still question his ability to concentrate as well.

 

As far as the rotation...

 

Carp

Mulder (hopefully a night game for STL)

Suppan

Morris

 

Marquis

Tavarez

King

Reyes

Thompson

Eldred

Flores

 

You left Izzy off he will be on either Eldred or Thompson will be off.

[vaball]

If Marquis keeps up what he's done for the last three games over his remainging starts I say we make him the #3 starter. If he's hot, we should just go with it.

[reggiemiller rules]

If Marquis keeps up what he's done for the last three games over his remainging starts I say we make him the #3 starter. If he's hot, we should just go with it.

 

I stay with Suppan he has pitched well the second half and pitched well last year in the playoffs. I still dont trust Marquis even wiht his last few games.

[dalgreen]

Id' go Carp, Marquis and Mulder or Carp, Mulder and Marquis depending on the schedule. Basically, you should want Marquis pitching on three days' rest and Mulder pitching at night. I don't know if their series will be a Tuesday, off Wednesday and play Thursday or not. The Cards, and especially Mulder, better root for the Astros because if the Cards play the Marlins none of those games will be night games.

[Mizzou]

If it were up to me, I'd make Ankiel the 3rd starter.

[vaball]

If it were up to me, I'd make Ankiel the 3rd starter.

 

I know, we could use his bat in the lineup.

[indifferent]

Looks like today Tony shuffled the rotation around for the Cincy series. It's now looking like Suppan will be the 3rd starter for the playoffs. Glad to see LaRussa's not that stubborn!

[genghiskhan]

I don't trust Marquis. Not at all.

[indifferent]

I don't trust Marquis. Not at all.

 

I don't trust Morris or Marquis. They should platoon their start at the first sign of weakness. I won't specify an earned run count, we all know what that means. None of this five +innings BS we've been seeing when they're pitching poorly.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Isn't this Carpenter's 1st post-season appearance?

[wolf stansson]

Isn't this Carpenter's 1st post-season appearance?

You are correct sir.

[indifferent]

Bump.

 

Critical question re: how far Cards go into the playoffs, as well as subject to different interpretations. We've had mixed results lately (OK, mostly bad) from our top rotation candidates. I still say you have to go Carp, Mulder, SUPPAN, and maybe Marquis 4th. Morris should be nowhere near the playoff rotation IMO.

[dalgreen]

As I've said before, LaRussa and Baker are too similar in a lot of ways. It's just that the Cardinals have had enough talent to compensate for a lot of LaRussa's errors. One glaring example is his constant loyalty to Morris. As a Cub fan who would love to see the Cards bounced by the Padres in the NLDS, I'm glad that Suppan is the odd-man out. I think, right now, he gives you just as good a chance of winning as Carpenter or Marquis and a better chance than Morris. Losing Reyes is a blow to the Cardinal pen, especially since it seems that Carpenter can no longer go his typical eight or nine innings. It looks as if the first four NLDS games could be played in the afternoon, at least the first two will. I'd still have the rotation of Carpenter, Mulder, Suppan and Marquis.

[wolf stansson]

Al Reyes likely done for the year with an elbow injury.

 

 

 

 

CRAP

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Just wondering, are any Cards fans worried that the Fathers might pull off the upset, led by Jake Peavy?

[ManEatingTarp]

Just wondering, are any Cards fans worried that the Fathers might pull off the upset, led by Jake Peavy?

 

Sure, I'm worried. It's a short series, and Peavy or Eaton could end the Cards season almost by themselves. That's why I hate the 5 game NLDS format. It makes a team like the Padres way too dangerous.

That being said, I was really worried about the Dodgers in the NLDS last year.

[reggiemiller rules]

I for one am really not that worried, yeah the Padres won 4 of 7 games, but it was when they were in the middle of their only good month. Plus the Cards offense really woke up the last week. THe last week both Reggie and Walker got hot, and if those guys stay hot the padres shouldnt have much of a chance.