Series Thread > Cards vs Reds > Apr 17-19

[dmiles2186]

Game 1: Tuesday @ 7:15 PM on FSMW
Cueto v Lohse
Game 2: Wednesday @ 7:15 PM on FSMW
Latos v Garcia
Game 3: Thursday @ 12:35 PM on FSMW
Arroyo v Wainwright

[cardsfan04]

It's way way WAY too early to think about winning the division even though 27 of our first 28 games are against the NLC. But, it's not too early to think about making it difficult for teams to come back.

[DaDitka]

First game I'm attending this year, and of course it's against Cueto.

I'm fairly certain that I've attended a game he's pitched in each of the last three seasons.


I'm comfortable with my fantasy team taking their lumps this evening (I have Cueto, but I also have Yadi and David)

[dmiles2186]

It's way way WAY too early to think about winning the division even though 27 of our first 28 games are against the NLC. But, it's not too early to think about making it difficult for teams to come back.

That's a great way to put it.

[cardsfan04]

I'm pumped to see Lohse pitch tonight. He's having a really good start to the year. Let's hope he continues.

[cardsfan04]

Berk and Freese back in the lineup tonight. That's nice to see.

[dmiles2186]

Great win. Sucks that Lohse doesn't get a well deserved W but great to see the Cards battle back and get the win.

[DaDitka]

great to see the Cards battle back and get the win.

Actually we led the whole game heading into the 8th. I don;t know if I'd call it battling back as much as waking the F up after failing to score a singe run after the first.

We left a lot of runners on base last night.

[dmiles2186]

great to see the Cards battle back and get the win.

Actually we led the whole game heading into the 8th. I don;t know if I'd call it battling back as much as waking the F up after failing to score a singe run after the first.

We left a lot of runners on base last night.

Well, I meant after being 4 outs away from a 1-0 win, they blew the lead, but then battled back and didn't let it get away from them.

[DaDitka]

great to see the Cards battle back and get the win.

Actually we led the whole game heading into the 8th. I don;t know if I'd call it battling back as much as waking the F up after failing to score a singe run after the first.

We left a lot of runners on base last night.

Well, I meant after being 4 outs away from a 1-0 win, they blew the lead, but then battled back and didn't let it get away from them.

Fair enough

[cardsfan04]

-Nice that we pulled it out, but we've gotta be able to manufacture runs better than last night. I mean, we have a great offense, so I'm not worried. But, we blew a couple of spots where we need to be able to consistently score.

-Lohse is looking fantastic. I didn't keep track, but tons of first-pitch strikes. Cueto, not as many. I don't think he was as good as his 6IP/1ER line suggests. Lohse was every bit as good as his line.

-I have my first gripe against Matheny this year. I don't think it makes any sense to take a bat out of the lineup (Freese) for speed if you're going to bunt him over. In the end, it worked out well because Freese doesn't score there. But, it won't play out like that every time. I also was perplexed by bringing in Salas, but not a double switch. But, apparently Salas was only going to get 1 batter anyway, so it didn't really matter.

[DaDitka]

-I have my first gripe against Matheny this year. I don't think it makes any sense to take a bat out of the lineup (Freese) for speed if you're going to bunt him over. In the end, it worked out well because Freese doesn't score there.

Yeah, I almost thought they might try and have him steal second and then bunt him over. They said he'd never been caught stealing.

[cardsfan04]

-I have my first gripe against Matheny this year. I don't think it makes any sense to take a bat out of the lineup (Freese) for speed if you're going to bunt him over. In the end, it worked out well because Freese doesn't score there.

Yeah, I almost thought they might try and have him steal second and then bunt him over. They said he'd never been caught stealing.

Yep, I thought they were going to do the same thing, at least the stealing part. He was 11 for 11 last year. 11 isn't a ton of steals, but he played most of the year in Memphis.

[cardsfan04]

Offense sure looks good right now. And Jaime was solid last night.

Couple of pieces of minor bad news though:

-Matheny admitted that they mishandled Craig this spring and it has resulted in a setback. I think the current timetable is 2-4 weeks.

-Berkman is likely off to the DL, but if he goes, he should be back the day he's eligible I think.

We're playing really well with or without Berk, so I say shelf him for 15 days and make sure he's as close to 100% as possible.

[cardsfan04]

I hope Waino is OK. He has me a little worried. I knew he would struggle some, but not to this extent. I'm definitely not panicked about him yet, but if he doesn't have a solid start sometime in the near future I'll be worried. I'm not real sure yet, but it seems that he's struggling with 2 things:

1. His location. I think he's given up 2HR's each game. That likely means he's missing his spots pretty badly a few times per game. He might be throwing pretty well for the most part, but then let's one get away from him.

2. His curveball seems inconsistent. I watched the first 2 1/2 innings yesterday on my lunch break. Some of his curves were fine with good movement. But, it is a long way from what it used to be. This alone won't make him bad. But, take the first inning for example. He threw 21 pitches and only allowed 1 base runner. Phillips had a long AB fouling off lots of pitches. If his curve were up to snuff, I think we'd see him more efficient.