Dominant Pitching
« Bench option? | Main | 06/13/2005 »If you need a reason for over-spending on an ace starter, then two of the Cardinals' last three contess might be worth reviewing. Roy Halladay made it look less like a game than a guy mowing his grass with one of those industrial-strength mowers that zoom around the lawn. The final out was squeezed a little before 8:30 Central time, leaving plenty of time for touring Yonge Street. With their only run coming off a broken-bat opposite-field homer, the Cardinals put up a meek effort against Halladay and we were served with yet another reminder of their dependence on Jim Edmonds (out at least a few days with bruised ribs) and Scott Rolen.
Jeff Suppan always seems to me to be living on the edge. He got roughed up in the first, giving up his 12th homer to saber whipping boy Shea Hillenbrand, and just as I was wondering about Anthony Reyes (who pitched five shutout innings at Round Rock tonight) Suppan decided to remind me he's pleasantly mediocre rather than simply bad. In spite of frequent opportunities, the Blue Jays should've been limited to two runs over seven innings. The run given up in the second was a classic example of home field advantage (and American League defense) as Mabry had plenty of time and space to settle under a flyball to the wall, but suffered a dizzy spell on the warning track. Well, at least we won't have to hear about Suppan's home/road splits in 2005.
If you're feeling any kind of nostalgia for green plastic, then this week is for you. The Expos' move to Washington marked the extinction of artificial turf parks in the NL, so the only phoney grass games we'll get in 2005 will be at Toronto and at Tampa Bay. It's strange to wonder if the Cardinals might have problems from lack of familiarity with turf.
Posted by Rob at June 14, 2005 04:45 AMThe sad thing about Toronto is that up until this season when it was replaced, they had the last original Astroturf-type field in all of baseball. Now everything's the "grassy" stuff. Had they kept the Astroturf into this year, I think it would've been worth the trip to see a game or two there, just for the historical value.
Posted by: MO Boiler at June 14, 2005 05:56 AMHere's another pessimistic observation, the Cards are going to have to be able to beat star pitchers, like Johnson and Halladay, with 1-0 games. Sure, there was probably nothing that could have gotten to Johnson last Saturday, but they have to find ways. Right now, out batters just aren't doing that.
Posted by: ryan vb at June 14, 2005 08:34 AMI think our lineup will be a lot better with Edmonds and Rolen playing---that's quite a hit for any lineup to take.
Posted by: salvo at June 14, 2005 10:13 AMryan vb, a point I made to bellyitcher's blog is that last night, we had our #5 starter vs. their #1. Granted, I'd like Mulder to come around and do what he did in that 10 inning shutout more often, but I am perfectly happy when Suppan gives up only 3. You'd think in a normal series, the Cards can score 3 against anybody but the best.
And if Morris can put out more of those shutout/1 run outings, all the better.
Posted by: Vincent at June 14, 2005 10:45 AMryan vb, a point I made to bellyitcher's blog is that last night, we had our #5 starter vs. their #1. Granted, I'd like Mulder to come around and do what he did in that 10 inning shutout more often, but I am perfectly happy when Suppan gives up only 3. You'd think in a normal series, the Cards can score 3 against anybody but the best.
And if Morris can put out more of those shutout/1 run outings, all the better.
Posted by: Vincent at June 14, 2005 10:45 AMWhen I saw "Suppan vs. Halladay" in the paper, I had it chalked up as a *probable* loss. Halladay's been lights out lately, so he's tough to beat whoever you are. If we win the next two, as we should with Carp and Marquis versus two guys with ERA's over 7, we'll be fine.
Posted by: MO Boiler at June 14, 2005 11:55 AMI agree the 5 v 1 pitching matchup was the dominant feature, but it does make you think ahead to series games when it's more important to increase the probability of scoring 1 run than to increase the probability of scoring the most possible runs.
Posted by: Ryan at June 14, 2005 05:37 PMAnd there our #1 starter shows up. I wish it could have been Carpenter vs. Halladay and Suppan vs. Gaudin, but you get the breaks where you can take them ;).
Really, Carpenter, Morris, Mulder, and Marquis all have a good shot at 20 wins this year (and Suppan with at least 12, I hope 15), and Carpenter, Morris, and Mulder all have the potential of being lights out dominating (remember Mulder's 10 inning shutout?).
Now, if we can see Carpenter, Morris, and Mulder _at their best_ in the World Series, I say Cards in 4, over ANY team.
Posted by: Vincent at June 14, 2005 10:54 PM