Series Thread: Cards @ Dodgers (5/24-5/26)

[dmiles2186]

That game 3 pitching matchup is dynamite.

Game 1
May 24, 9:10 pm CT
@ Dodger Stadium

TV:
FS-M
Radio:
KMOX 1120

Lynn vs. Capuano

Game 2
May 25, 6:15 pm CT
@ Dodger Stadium

TV:
FOX
Radio:
KMOX 1120

Gast vs. Lilly

Game 3
May 26, 3:10 pm CT
@ Dodger Stadium

TV:
FS-M
Radio:
KMOX 1120

Miller vs. Kershaw

[cardsfan04]

This series concerns me. Almost everything suggests we should be fine (we've been a great road team so far, Dodgers have struggled, we're playing really well). But, at some point I feel like we are going to come back down to earth and the Dodgers are going to turn things around. They also have 2 lefties going in the series and we don't hit lefties real well (so far anyway). We'll see, but I just have a bad feeling about the series.

[dmiles2186]

This series concerns me. Almost everything suggests we should be fine (we've been a great road team so far, Dodgers have struggled, we're playing really well). But, at some point I feel like we are going to come back down to earth and the Dodgers are going to turn things around. They also have 2 lefties going in the series and we don't hit lefties real well (so far anyway). We'll see, but I just have a bad feeling about the series.

Funny thing, I was thinking the same thing. I don't know what it is. The Cards have been rolling but they've gotta hit a rough patch sometime soon. The Dodgers have a decent enough lineup that they could break out this weekend.

Or we could be back here on Monday talking about a sweep, who knows? haha

[cardsfan04]

I didn't realize this until today, but we were actually better vs lefties than righties in both 2011 and 2012 (going by OPS anyway), and in 2012, it wasn't even close. This year it's been a different story, but I think we've only faced 8 LH starters so far this year.

[dmiles2186]

We got one. Freese's bat is waking up a bit. It was good to see Boggs get through an inning quietly, even though he had a bit of a cushion. But for him to come back, it's a start.

[cardsfan04]

Well, I nailed that prediction. Really impressive win today vs Kershaw. Ended his streak of not allowing more than 3 runs (I think at 22). Battled through an early deficit to immediately take the lead back. And bullpen was solid, especially Rosenthal with the 5 out hold which started w/ 1 out, bases loaded in a 1 run game.

And, the Reds blew a late inning 4-0 lead to the Cubs, losing 5-4 in 10 after allowing 1 in the 7th, 3 in the 8th and another in the 10th.

Now the bad news. Gast is on the DL which seemingly means Wacha will be coming up to start on Thursday. Haven't heard anything official yet, but all signs point to that. I'm excited to see him, but he will likely become a super 2 if he comes up this week, whereas he likely won't if he comes up in a month.

Basically, of all the players with between 2 and 3 years of ML service, the 22% closest to 3 years of service are arbitration eligible after 2 years instead of 3. Usually the breaking point is around June 1, but I read it might be mid-June this year because GMs try to wait other GMs out to avoid turning a prospect into a super 2.