Cardinals Preview

[elsrbueno]

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/stlouis.html

 

All,

I took a few seconds to write up a preview on the Cardinals Not position by position (yet, I hope to find time to do that though), but a general overview.

 

Enjoy, and comment here!

 

Tim

[yeszir]

Good writeup as usual els. I'm just glad we don't have to face Beltran.

[elsrbueno]

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart1.html

 

Offensive analysis.

[DOrtiz4prez]

Thanks Els, I love these comparisons.

 

I show them to all my friends and they love em too.

[elsrbueno]

Defensive analysis.

 

Ouch

 

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart2.html

[elsrbueno]

Bullpen analysis.

 

Starting to get worried, guys.

 

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart3.html

[elsrbueno]

Rotation Analysis.

 

This was thrown together REALLY quickly, let me know if I made a mistake.

 

Otherwise, enjoy, and GO RED SOX!

 

http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart4.html

[elsrbueno]

OK. Now that all the comparisons are done, here's my synopsis:

 

The Red Sox have the better starting pitchers, but the Cardinals have a deeper bullpen. Only problem is, the man at the end of the bullpen isn't quite as strong as the others, and didn't pitch particularly well in the NLCS.

 

The Red Sox have a slight edge in offense, but it's VERY close.

 

The key to this series as usual will be get early leads for the starters, and carry it to the bullpen. The regular season stats are misleading, because the Red Sox bullpen did a FANTASTIC job in the ALCS and we wouldn't be talking about game 1, Fenway Park without it.

 

I can't wait till tomorrow night. I'm actually gunna see the game on TV!!!!!

 

(that's a big deal for me)

[CrespoBlows]

From what I read on ESPN.com it's either Morris on game 2 or 4, or Marquis on 2 or 4. But I'm not sure

[CrespoBlows]

Of course els, always favors the other side, so I'm not so surprised the Cardinals get the edge in every postion just about.

 

Good writeups though

[stocker323]

I think Marquis is going Game 2, Morris Game 3 and Suppan Game 4.

[mosox]

Good write ups. I live in St. Louis and I've seen alot of their games. It's interesting to note that the Cardinals pitchers are very good hitters, something to look for in Games 3,4,5. Suppan is not the same guy he was in Boston last year, Marquis can be tough but he has a tendency to hang his sinker. With Carpenter hurt Williams is perhaps their best pitcher. Morris has been disappointing and seems to be a better pitcher on the road than at home.

Their bullpen is what has held them together, Tavarez, King and Klein (hurt) lead the pack. I'd look for the lefty King to be the guy to come in and pitch to Ortiz in a critical situation. Isringhausen has been the closer, and while he has Rivera type numbers he is not Mariano Rivera. His speed is not what it used to be and he walks batters.

Their defense is superb, especially on the left side with Rolen and Renteria.

Matheny is the best defensive catcher in the NL and is very good that throwing out runners.

Walker, Pujols, Rolen, and Edmonds can bust a game wide open. They are patient hitters, who put the ball in play even when chasing bad pitches. Pujols especially is devastating, a line drive gap hitter who can also go deep to right.

As a manager LaRussa does at times seem to second guess himself and overmanage a game by making too many changes. He is not a guy who will leave a pitcher in too long, and will always have guys warming up in the pen.

[CardsNSox]

Growing up as a Cardinals fan, I find myself torn between my two favorite teams.

 

But I couldnt be more proud to play a team like this from Boston. Even if the Cardinals lose, I won't be sad. There's some good to be had if Boston does win. The curse would be over, and hopefully passed to the Yankees. Pedro would get his much deserved WS ring, and the New Yorkers would have egg on their face, and be berated all next year.

 

It will be a good series, and the Cardinals are great at Busch stadium. Our fans our friendly and kind though (up to a point), so there probably won't be any shenanigans from them to warrant a full-dressed riot squad (unlike some of those unhappy, unsportsmanlike perennial arrogant f***s from NYC). We're just happy to be in the series. And if we lose, I'm glad it was Boston that beat us.

 

I really hate the Yankees... *kicks Billy Crystal in the nuts*

 

Theres one to cry over.