roenick99
May 18th 2008, 5:00 pm
Well, we are 44 games in and we have the 2nd best record in baseball behind the team that swept us from the playoffs last year. By default, the Cubs are the better team because they handed the D-Backs their asses last weekend via a 3 game sweep in Chi-town.
Big Z. I'll start with him. I was on him hardcore last year because he made all these claims of being the ace and winning the cy young and a world series and didn't back it up. He has finally pitched this year like the ace he is. Yesterday was not a good day but there will be days like that. The thing I have noticed is that his strikeouts are down. That's a not a bad thing because with that his walks are down. That tells me he is finally using his sinker to induce ground balls like he should instead of trying to rely solely on his fastball and paint the corners to every batter. He is on pace for a career low in walks and I think that has been the key for the first two months of the season. This is the point of the season in the past where he has "turned it on" and gotten it going. I am excited to see where he is in 2 months.
Dempster - WTF? I liked Dempster as our closer. I think I was alone in this, but whatever. I was nervous with this transition because his career as a starter wasn't stellar. Now I am excited every time he pitches! How crazy is that? Not much else to say other than he has totally exceded my expectations.
Lilly - is finally starting to come around. I was a little nervous he would get knocked around coming into this season and revert to previous form, but it seems from all indications that it was because his velocity was down and not because the league had him figured out. He looks to be a solid #2 or #3 now depending on where you want to stick him with regards to Dempster. I like this little "problem" we have. haha
#4 and #5 starters - This could change depending on Lou's mood, but it seems that Marquis and Gallagher earned themselves at least one more start for now since they both pitched pretty well this weekend. I wonder if we will see Hill before September callups if these guys keep it up?
Bullpen and Closer - I have seen worse for this team and it seems that Howry is still hit or miss, but regardless if he gave up a run today he still did the job and got the hold and Woody came in and saved it. Marmol is Marmol and had to have a bad day at some point. Yesterday was it and I hope that's all we see of it. LOL My first statement is misleading because this past week, the bullpen has actually been awesome! I think until yesterday they had gone so many games without giving up a run. I thought i heard that somewhere. Anybody have stats on that?
Soriano - He's hitting...finally! lol The bottom line is he is a great hitter, but I personally don't like him at leadoff. Oh well, I leave it up to Lou to take us to the promise land. I apologize for the couple of times I compared Lou to Dusty. Dusty would have buried this team by now. Back to Soriano. He's hitting well and I don't think he cost us any games with his erratic fielding lately, so that is good. I still love his arm. Still not worth $136 million though, no matter what he does.
Theriot - I wanted Brian Roberts in the off season which would have displaced Theriot in my opinion because I don't think they would have benched DeRosa. I am uber happy with Theriot. Regardless of his CS stats so far, I think he needs to steal more bases. He is going to steal more than he gets caught. He's a fast little white boy.
Lee - Hmmm... I guess I was wrong about him cooling off. Boy, do I feel like an idiot! LOL Seriously though, I expect him to pick it back up here soon AND to make things that much better is that once both he and ARam get hot then WATCH OUT! This could get ugly. Lee is cold and other guys like Soto and Soriano have taken this team on their shoulders and it is a non-issue. This is what i was talking about. Not everyone can be or should be hot at the same time and it will only benefit this team for guys to take turns and keep the runs coming.
Ramirez - He started out a little slow and really has not hit his stride yet. It's like the calm before the storm. I just have this feeling he is about to go ape-**** for about a 2 week tear! I predict at least one grand slam in the next two weeks. Our most clutch player is about to turn it on.
Fukudome - What the Fuk is this guy on? Although, it doesn't seem he is tearing up as much lately as before, he stills seems to always be on base or making some contribution to the game. He has this weird presence of being there even when he goes 0-4. I would love to see the benefit analysis of Soto hitting behind Fuku. Not sure if that made sense but i know what i mean and that's all the matters. :D
Soto - Is this kid even a rookie? He's a had a couple of hiccups with his strikout streak and such but so far he is 90% solid and is starting to become the guy I want up to bat with men on base. Good arm, good backstop, great bat. I hope he keeps it up and it would be interesting to see if he can take the "rookie" of the year from Fukudome.
Johnson/Edmonds - I like Johnson. He seems to be pretty solid at the plate and in the field. He also seems like he is due for a little streak of his own. As for Edmonds, I am rooting for this guy just for the simple fact that it will only benefit the team and if he does a great job for us, then that is another way to stick in the Cards fans faces. Regardless of what the fans down here in Stl say about him, he is an icon here and nothing would make me happier than to have a solid stint for their arch rival. HAHA!!
Bench - I think this bench is about as solid as we have ever had. Any one of these guys could start for this team right now the way they are hitting with the exception of Hoffpauir. He has one AB under his belt. He is a wait and see. Pie was the weak link and now he is gone. For good? Only Hendry knows that for sure. I think Lou has made his decision now it is up to Hendry to find out what to do with him. If Lou doesn't like you then pack your bags. Just ask Barrett and Izturis.
Overall, this team seems to be playing as well as they could be and seem to be on a serious roll. They are about to be tested with a short 6 game road trip. They HAVE to win on the road. They cannot play this well at home and then go on the road and have an experience like the previous trip. The way they are playing though, I like their chances. So, stay tuned...
Big Z. I'll start with him. I was on him hardcore last year because he made all these claims of being the ace and winning the cy young and a world series and didn't back it up. He has finally pitched this year like the ace he is. Yesterday was not a good day but there will be days like that. The thing I have noticed is that his strikeouts are down. That's a not a bad thing because with that his walks are down. That tells me he is finally using his sinker to induce ground balls like he should instead of trying to rely solely on his fastball and paint the corners to every batter. He is on pace for a career low in walks and I think that has been the key for the first two months of the season. This is the point of the season in the past where he has "turned it on" and gotten it going. I am excited to see where he is in 2 months.
Dempster - WTF? I liked Dempster as our closer. I think I was alone in this, but whatever. I was nervous with this transition because his career as a starter wasn't stellar. Now I am excited every time he pitches! How crazy is that? Not much else to say other than he has totally exceded my expectations.
Lilly - is finally starting to come around. I was a little nervous he would get knocked around coming into this season and revert to previous form, but it seems from all indications that it was because his velocity was down and not because the league had him figured out. He looks to be a solid #2 or #3 now depending on where you want to stick him with regards to Dempster. I like this little "problem" we have. haha
#4 and #5 starters - This could change depending on Lou's mood, but it seems that Marquis and Gallagher earned themselves at least one more start for now since they both pitched pretty well this weekend. I wonder if we will see Hill before September callups if these guys keep it up?
Bullpen and Closer - I have seen worse for this team and it seems that Howry is still hit or miss, but regardless if he gave up a run today he still did the job and got the hold and Woody came in and saved it. Marmol is Marmol and had to have a bad day at some point. Yesterday was it and I hope that's all we see of it. LOL My first statement is misleading because this past week, the bullpen has actually been awesome! I think until yesterday they had gone so many games without giving up a run. I thought i heard that somewhere. Anybody have stats on that?
Soriano - He's hitting...finally! lol The bottom line is he is a great hitter, but I personally don't like him at leadoff. Oh well, I leave it up to Lou to take us to the promise land. I apologize for the couple of times I compared Lou to Dusty. Dusty would have buried this team by now. Back to Soriano. He's hitting well and I don't think he cost us any games with his erratic fielding lately, so that is good. I still love his arm. Still not worth $136 million though, no matter what he does.
Theriot - I wanted Brian Roberts in the off season which would have displaced Theriot in my opinion because I don't think they would have benched DeRosa. I am uber happy with Theriot. Regardless of his CS stats so far, I think he needs to steal more bases. He is going to steal more than he gets caught. He's a fast little white boy.
Lee - Hmmm... I guess I was wrong about him cooling off. Boy, do I feel like an idiot! LOL Seriously though, I expect him to pick it back up here soon AND to make things that much better is that once both he and ARam get hot then WATCH OUT! This could get ugly. Lee is cold and other guys like Soto and Soriano have taken this team on their shoulders and it is a non-issue. This is what i was talking about. Not everyone can be or should be hot at the same time and it will only benefit this team for guys to take turns and keep the runs coming.
Ramirez - He started out a little slow and really has not hit his stride yet. It's like the calm before the storm. I just have this feeling he is about to go ape-**** for about a 2 week tear! I predict at least one grand slam in the next two weeks. Our most clutch player is about to turn it on.
Fukudome - What the Fuk is this guy on? Although, it doesn't seem he is tearing up as much lately as before, he stills seems to always be on base or making some contribution to the game. He has this weird presence of being there even when he goes 0-4. I would love to see the benefit analysis of Soto hitting behind Fuku. Not sure if that made sense but i know what i mean and that's all the matters. :D
Soto - Is this kid even a rookie? He's a had a couple of hiccups with his strikout streak and such but so far he is 90% solid and is starting to become the guy I want up to bat with men on base. Good arm, good backstop, great bat. I hope he keeps it up and it would be interesting to see if he can take the "rookie" of the year from Fukudome.
Johnson/Edmonds - I like Johnson. He seems to be pretty solid at the plate and in the field. He also seems like he is due for a little streak of his own. As for Edmonds, I am rooting for this guy just for the simple fact that it will only benefit the team and if he does a great job for us, then that is another way to stick in the Cards fans faces. Regardless of what the fans down here in Stl say about him, he is an icon here and nothing would make me happier than to have a solid stint for their arch rival. HAHA!!
Bench - I think this bench is about as solid as we have ever had. Any one of these guys could start for this team right now the way they are hitting with the exception of Hoffpauir. He has one AB under his belt. He is a wait and see. Pie was the weak link and now he is gone. For good? Only Hendry knows that for sure. I think Lou has made his decision now it is up to Hendry to find out what to do with him. If Lou doesn't like you then pack your bags. Just ask Barrett and Izturis.
Overall, this team seems to be playing as well as they could be and seem to be on a serious roll. They are about to be tested with a short 6 game road trip. They HAVE to win on the road. They cannot play this well at home and then go on the road and have an experience like the previous trip. The way they are playing though, I like their chances. So, stay tuned...