Cards Pregame Bits

Good afternoon folks. It’s a lunch break dose here, so the time to engage is 20 minutes. Here we go. All I can think of and put on a page about the Cards.

lynn_lance640*Starting with Lance Lynn. Post All Star Break, Lynn is 5-3 with a 2.06 ERA in 70 innings. He has 61 strikeouts to 26 walks and a complete game. In a time where trade acquisitions have either crashed(Justin Masterson) or slightly stalled(John Lackey) and the ace hasn’t been at his best, Lynn has thrived and held the rotation in check for months. Who would have thought that a year ago? The emergence of Shelby Miller is great, but Lynn’s stability has been appreciated. I have the chance to watch Lynn pitch twice this week. Tonight and on Sunday in the home schedule finale. I enjoy watching him pitch. That couldn’t be said last year.

*Matt Holliday had a good series in Cincy, but he got back to productively bashing baseballs over the weekend. Facing one of his favorites in the Rockies, Holliday was 5-11 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. He seems to be gathering big hits for the past month into a pile that will result in another solid season. He leads the team in RBI and is only 3 HR behind Jhonny Peralta. Those are the baseball card mafia loving stats. His OBP, doubles and hits are also decent. Holliday has also only struck out 6 times all month. Getting on base or driving men in.

*Matt Adams is slumping big time. He is 7-37 this month, with 2 HR. Adams hasn’t looked that great against lefties or righties. His bat looks slower and his oblique muscle is barking. The Cards are in a race at the moment, but would it be best to sit Adams down and get him ready for the playoffs. A.J. Pierzynski and Xavier Scruggs can fill in against light competition. Just an idea but the big man is hitting just .223 with 45 strikeouts post All Star break.

*Yadier Molina is waking up at the plate. He had 6 hits in 12 at bats against the Rockies and has a hit in his last 5 games. In addition to being an all star catcher, most valuable player on the field, Molina can hit and just needed to find his timing. His bat can shred a pitcher’s will just like Matt Carpenter‘s. Big pitch counts and taking pitches to the opposite field. That Molina is back.

*Trevor Rosenthal has welcomed back Molina, because he hasn’t allowed a run since Molina’s arrival. Since Yadi has been back, Rosenthal has 5 saves, 9 strikeouts, 3 walks and only three hits allowed. A calming effect for sure because Rosenthal has only one 20+ pitch outing since August 29th. Rosenthal is getting sharper and Yadi has something to do with it. It’s amazing what a pitcher can do with calmer nerves on the mound.

*What kind of impacts can Tommy Pham and Scruggs have in the final weeks? Late game pinch hit opportunities. They will get their hacks. It won’t result in starts until the division is clinched but for the time being, these two young man will get their chances. I see Scruggs playing a bigger role due to a lack of depth behind Adams.

*What happened to Tony Cruz? Is he still there?

*What role will Kevin Siegrist play here? Mike Matheny doesn’t seem to trust him a whole lot or at least not as much as Jason Motte. That is a mistake. When right, Siegrist can be lethal.

*I won’t worry about potential matchups too much but a rematch of the 1985 heartbreaking Royals series or a meeting with Pujols’ Angels would be legendary in October. Early Christmas presents.

I picture this. A drive to the right field wall that is caught by Oscar Taveras in Game 6 off the bat of David Freese instead of missed. Hahaha….

Thanks for reading folks. I get to meet Dan McLaughlin tonight in the booth with the wife and kid. I interviewed Danny Mac a couple weeks ago and have known him for years. When he asked me who Vinny’s favorite player was on the team, the answer was simple. Matt Holliday. For the simple fact that he looks like me, just a whole lot bigger.

-Dan B.

  • Carlin September 17, 2014, 6:53 am

    Offense stinks again and Rosenthal cannot seem to figure out the consequences of walking people. I would MUCH rather get beaten by a home run than walks.
    Better wake up Birds or we will be a wiodcard team at best. One and done!

  • Carlin September 17, 2014, 6:54 am

    Wildcard.

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