A Quick Peek At The Cards

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM PDT in Opponents Comment 54 comments

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

Stan "The Man" Musial.

The Dodgers head to St. Louis for a four game series beginning tonight, in a place that has been a house of horrors for the Dodgers the last couple of years. The Dodgers have dropped 14 of their last 17 games at differing versions of Busch Stadium.

Analyzing the Cardinals up to this point is instructive to a point, but their recent acquisition of outfielder Matt Holliday changes things quite a bit. The middle of the Cards' lineup now looks as formidable as any team in the National League:

Pos	Player	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	wOBA
1B	Pujols	.325	.445	.693	1.138	.458
LF	Holliday	.297	.336	.471	.857	.378
RF	Ludwick	.275	.339	.500	.839	.366

Of course, having Albert Pujols makes any lineup formidable, but the team certainly looks much improved. Add in recent acquisitions Mark DeRosa and Julio Lugo, and the offense looks even better.

The Cardinals pitching staff is led by brilliant yet fragile ace Chris Carpenter, who is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA so far in July. Carpenter is led at the top by Adam Wainwright, who is quietly putting together an outstanding season (11-6, 3.55), and a resurgent Joel Pineiro, who has a 2.95 ERA built on shockingly low amounts of walks, homers, and strikeouts. The Cardinals starting staff lead the National League in inning per start, at 6.2.

The bullpen is led by closer Ryan Franklin, who has been outstanding this season (2.97 FIP, 22 saves), with major contributions from lefties Trever Miller (3.25 FIP) and Dennys Reyes (3.88 FIP), and Kyle McClellan (4.15 FIP).

The Cardinals are coming off a 2-5 road trip, but Monday's game marks the first game at home for new acquisitions Holliday and Lugo, so expect a raucous crowd.

2009 Cardinals
Record	53-48, 2nd NL Central, ½ GB
Pythag Record	53-48 (5th in NL)
Runs Scored	4.40/gm (8th in NL)
wOBA	.322 (10th in NL)
Runs Allowed	4.20/gm (6th in NL)
FIP	4.00 (5th in NL)
Defensive Efficiency	.697 (8th in NL)

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Viva El Birdos is the SB Nation Cardinals blog. Here are some recent posts:

ChuckB takes a look at the Julio Lugo for Chris Duncan trade
A look at the potential of Troy Glaus playing the outfield (unlikely now with the Holliday acquisition)

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Pitching Probables

Monday: Randy Wolf (5-4, 4.24) vs. Chris Carpenter (8-3, 2.70 FIP), 4:05pm

Tuesday: Chad Billingsley (10-5, 3.50 FIP) vs. Adam Wainwright (11-6, 3.61 FIP), 5:15pm

Wednesday: Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 3.38 FIP) vs. Joel Pineiro (9-9, 2.99 FIP), 5:15pm

Thursday: Hiroki Kuroda (3-5, 3.55 FIP) vs. Kyle Lohse (4-6, 4.51 FIP), 5:15pm

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Comments

Tough road to hoe

I don’t think we have faced this type of quality since the all-star break. Walking in against Carpenter/Wainwright our pitching is going to have to show they have some mettle as our offense tries to scrape up a few runs.
Loney on the road has been what we would hope he would be all the time,
315 .393 .483 .876
Andre needs to step us his road game and quit disappearing like a United Airlines baggage claim.
214 .325 .341 .666

We really have a tale of two hitters when it comes to road/home splits with these guys.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 27, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m strangely confident going into this trip. It will be tough but I’m probably just overcompensating for some of the negative energy (mostly elsewhere).

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 11:15 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I'm confident too

It reminds me of the first “real” road series of the year when the Dodgers finally stopped playing against the inferior NL West teams and went to NY, Philadelphia and Florida. I expect the same results…

by mwhite06 on Jul 27, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That first out of division road trip was only against the Phillies and Marlins.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I stand corrected sir

thanks

by mwhite06 on Jul 27, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But we did play the Mets at home right after that trip so your point still stands :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eyechart updates his twitter page alot. Something tells me he's a guy that texts while driving.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 11:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

while driving 80, while getting pulled over by having tinted windows :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More Eye Chart Twitter Hilarity

He said “Kind of nervous. I’m a 300 hitter career in the minors. Hope I don’t screw it up!!!”

Mientkiewicz has 639 hits in 2128 at-bats in the minors, so he’s an 0-for-2 ahead of .300 :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mets’ Assistant GM / Crazy Man Tony Bernazard is getting fired today at 12:30. Per Jon Heyman.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dodgers R Big Underdogs Today

According to the nice people in Vegas, the Cardinals have around a 61% win probability. Seems a little high to me, but w/e.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 27, 2009 12:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eric, are the Dodgers producing a pregame show today?

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nope…“The Jr. Dodgers Show” is on Prime Ticket at 3:30 though.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, I think I'll skip Jennie Zelasko today.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does she do that show? I’ve never seen it. I’m home sick today so I might watch.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She's the host, yes.

I think I watched the first ep of it, and some reason she was yelling out every other syllable.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did she ask one of the kids who hit a single if they saw the ball go out? :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for some reason.. matt kemp WAR went down by .4 from yesterday to today

His WAR was 4.6 and now it is 4.2. his defense was at 11 yesterday and now it is at 8. Did he have a horrible defensive day yesterday?

by matthewmafa on Jul 27, 2009 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They had a message on their site that UZR wouldn’t be updated for a few days. I’m surprised it went down, but it would’ve been over multiple days, not just one.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 27, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow.. so in a span of like 3 or 4 days his UZR went down by 3 points.

its just a west coast bias.. they hate the dodgers

by matthewmafa on Jul 27, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure that has nothing to do with it.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

that made me chuckle.

by mwhite06 on Jul 27, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably has to do with range.

And yep, his range took a huge hit today, basically being cut in half from 7.0 to now 3.8

He didn’t have the the greatest defensive series, but that is stunning.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Battle of The Lucky Pitchers

Lowest BABIP against for NL starters (min 80ip).

3. Chris Carpenter .257
5. Randy Wolf .259
7. Clayton Kershaw .263

Carpenter must be getting some nice defensive help to go along with some luck. He has a very high GB/FB ratio of 1.93. Not sure what Wolf’s excuse could be though.

vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 27, 2009 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

have a good defensive outfield to track down all the flyballs he gives up?

and maybe keeping hitting off balance

by matthewmafa on Jul 27, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They have Khali Greene and Schumacer playing shortstop and 2nd. Their defense can't be that good.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

im talking about the dodgers

i have no idea about the cardinals

by matthewmafa on Jul 27, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLBBuehrle (AL) and Ethier (NL) are MLB Players of the Week presented by Bank of America. #whitesox #dodgers – 50th anniversary WS matchup?4 minutes ago from web

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MLBTR

Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse :The Dodgers have interest in Arroyo and Harang, but only if their pursuit of Cliff Lee falls through. The Reds would likely have to take on salary in any deal involving Harang or Arroyo.

by matthewmafa on Jul 27, 2009 12:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, J.D. Drew has just stopped hitting.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/drewj.01.shtml?redir

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Last 30 Games

.188/.295/.321

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes he has

the Boston offense itself is not very fearsome at the moment.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 27, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How come we didn't get any draft picks for Drew?

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was part of his contract that the Dodgers couldn’t offer arbitration — a Boras special.

The Drew contract is one of the very few things I have seen BHSportsGuy get angry about.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eric Stults

6 inning 2 ER 82 Pitches so far.

by matthewmafa on Jul 27, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is this game starting at 6:00 local time?

Is it thanks to the worldwide leader?

by mwhite06 on Jul 27, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes…ESPN is the culprit.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals Lineup

from Fox Sports Midwest:

lugo 2b
derosa3b
pujols 1b
holliday rf
ludwick lf
molina c
ankiel cf
ryan ss
carp p

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Holliday in RF? huh.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

STL Post Dispatch shows the lineup as Holliday in LF and Ludwick in RF

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to the pitcher batting 8th?

by silverwidow on Jul 27, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching “The Pen” on MLB Network…the reality series about the Phillies’ bullpen…the Phillies’ locker room is probably at least five times larger than the locker room at Dodger Stadium.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's a brand new facility

by mwhite06 on Jul 27, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know, but the difference is still striking.

Even the Dodgers spring training clubhouse is 5-6x the Dodger Stadium clubhouse.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aren’t they renovating the Clubhouses this off-season?

sidenote question: does anybody buy the stuff about the clubhouse in the new Yankee Stadium being too nice?

by pdotmac1 on Jul 27, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My take on the Dodgers/Indians

Ned wants Lee but is not offering enough.

Shapiro wants to include Martinez in order to get a ridiculous haul.

by silverwidow on Jul 27, 2009 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's not happening. The Indians would want Kershaw or Billingsley. If the Dodgers were willing to do that, they might as well go for Halladay.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More weird Mets stuff. Per Amy K Nelson, I guess Omar Minaya said one of the beat writers, Adam Rubin, has been lobbying for a job with the Mets. What a mess of a franchise. Just surreal.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not just any job with the Mets. Tony B's job.

Rubin’s been the one breaking out most of the Tony B’s news. Minaya just accused Adam Rubin of the worst thing he possibly could.

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dodger Lineup

per STL Post-Dispatch (LA slacking…):

Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Ethier, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Kemp, CF
Wolf, LHP

by Eric Stephen on Jul 27, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We should of had Kemp batting 9th just to make Tony LaRussa nodding his head in agreement!

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm expecting Wolf to get pounded

so that the media frenzy about us needing pitching reaches a frenzied pitch. Plus that is a tough lineup for a lefty to face right now with DeRosa back, Holliday in, and Ludwick swinging a hot bat. No need to mention the man. I can understand us being big underdogs tonight.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 27, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phillies move on to Cliff Lee.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Toronto also gave the Dodgers an updated list of names it would take over the weekend. But while the Dodgers haven’t backed out completely, they appear to be more focused on bullpen upgrades (a la George Sherrill) at this point.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4359405&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

by Tripon on Jul 27, 2009 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs