Series Thread: Brewers @ Cardinals

[theohall]

Time for another weird two game series.

Tuesday, August 26 Ben Sheets, RHP (11-7, 3.16) @ Todd Wellemeyer, RHP (11-4, 3.79), 7:15 PM CT
Wednesday, August 27 Manny Parra, LHP (10-6, 4.10) @ Adam Wainwright, RHP (7-3, 3.04), 7:15 PM CT

These two are must wins and the Cardinals have the right pitchers going and will have a rested bullpen. If they don't take these two, I don't think they have a shot at the wildcard, unless Milwaukee implodes in September. St Louis has a history of playing .500 ball in September regardless of where they are in the standings.

[stlmark]

Yep, we HAVE to win both games.

[dmiles2186]

I'm with both of you. I'm not trying to go all-ESPN over the top in my statement here, but if they don't win these two games, you can count the Cards out of the playoffs. They are playing well this season, obviously, but not good enough. The Brewers and the Cubs have been a few steps ahead all season, and games like these are why. The Cardinals seem to do okay in important series, but they haven't been able to dominate (i.e. sweep) when they need to.

No better time to start than now.

[stinkdified]

I'm with both of you. I'm not trying to go all-ESPN over the top in my statement here, but if they don't win these two games, you can count the Cards out of the playoffs. They are playing well this season, obviously, but not good enough. The Brewers and the Cubs have been a few steps ahead all season, and games like these are why. The Cardinals seem to do okay in important series, but they haven't been able to dominate (i.e. sweep) when they need to.

No better time to start than now.

IOW: this shit is important

[jimmy straka]

there is still time

[theohall]

Seeing as the Brewers have beaten the Cardinals in 7 straight games with the Cardinals unable to generate offense against them and the Cards now being 4.5 back, time won't help.

How bad is the Cardinals offense vs the Brewers this season:
3 L
5 W
3 L
3 L
3 L
3 L
0 L
3 L
0 L

That's the last 9 games vs Milwaukee. More than 3 runs once in 9 games is pure and utter crap. Unfortunately, it indicates Brewers pitching owns the Cardinals. Sure, Wainwright will likely hold them down tonight, but don't count on the Cardinals generating enough offense even if Wainwright does keep the score down. Heck, it was only a 3 run game thru 6 innings last night, but the Cards offense choked again.

[roddick]

loved seeing albert fired up after villanueva showboated

[theohall]

Ned Yost's comments in the Brewers writeups on the game say it just as well.

Brewers manager Ned Yost said the Villanueva-Pujols saga wasn't something he would have preferred to see happen.

"It definitely does have an effect," Yost said. "They've been struggling against us. You just get your pitch, make the out and walk on off. It leaves them thinking, 'I missed another opportunity.'

"Villaneuva let his emotions get away a little bit. You can't allow it to happen.

[stlmark]

I hate Villaneuva and the skunk beers.

Man, that was a big win.