NLDS: Cards vs. Pirates

[dmiles2186]

Thursday game, time and opponent to be determined. Playoff baseball, boys. Always fun.

[cardsfan04]

I'm stoked. With a little luck, we'll have the afternoon game on Thursday (LA being on West Coast likely gets them the night game, right?) and it won't interfere with the home opener. I really wish they would announce game times though. I know we don't know who we play yet, but the two possible teams are in the same time zone.

[dmiles2186]

Man, that Pirates crowd is going to be something to deal with. It's important to keep home field before heading that way. When they went all hockey crowd and started chanting Cueto's name, it visibly shook him and then he gave up the homer.

Looks like Waino vs. Burnett in game 1 and Lance starting for us in game 2.

[cardsfan04]

Big big win yesterday. Obviously the 7 run 3rd was the big story, but I was really happy to see us score in 2 more innings after that.

[cardsfan04]

Also, I think the Pirates might have started something when they chanted "Cueto." Yesterday, "A.J." was chanted several times.

[dmiles2186]

Beltran and Freese coming up big in the playoffs again. Stop me if you've heard this before...haha.

But great first win. Waino was spot on, that 7 run inning sucked the life out of the Pirates, and we've assured a split at home. Now we need to hold serve at home.

[cardsfan04]

Wow, Wacha getting the nod for game 4 over Miller. Miller has really bad splits versus Pittsburgh though, so I guess this makes sense.

[cardsfan04]

Today, not the best.

[dmiles2186]

Tough. Obviously, you always want that 2-0 lead after the first two at home, but I really wanted it with rookies throwing out in Pittsburgh. If they're going to split in Pitt, I'd prefer we take Game 3. I'm not sure my heart could stand a Game 4 with elimination on the line with that Pitt crowd. They're going to be bonkers.

Edit: I guess Kelly is going in Game 3. For some reason, I had it in my mind that Shelby was going game 3 and Wacha in 4. On top of that, the Pirates are throwing Liriano who has killed the Cards this year. Gonna be a tough one today.

[cardsfan04]

Holy balls that was a crazy game today. I couldn't sit through the 9th. I was pacing around my living room. So nerveracking. But we got it down. Got series back to STL for Waino to pitch game 5. I guess we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves since we still have to win it, but I like our chances.

[abc789987]

I couldn't sit through the 9th. I was pacing around my living room.

Yeah, same here. I'm pretty sure I got a path worn in the carpet in my basement from last night.

[dmiles2186]

I had was holding one of my son's teething rings and I spiked it like a football when McCutchen popped that ball up. It's been awhile since I've been that nervous for a Cardinals game. It was just pure relief more than anything knowing we're going to a Game 5.

Ballsy performance by Wacha. Maybe I'm a prisoner of the moment, but that dude is bound to throw a no hitter at some point in his career.

[cardsfan04]

Relief is a good word for it. I can take losing game 5, but if McCutcheon would have hit a 2R HR, that would have been too much.

Now, with the Dodgers winning, game 5 is at the same time as Blues/Blackhawks.

[dmiles2186]

Relief is a good word for it. I can take losing game 5, but if McCutcheon would have hit a 2R HR, that would have been too much.

Now, with the Dodgers winning, game 5 is at the same time as Blues/Blackhawks.

I agree about losing in Game 5. I'm okay with it. After all, the Pirates are a good team. But this Cards team won 97 games. To flame out after 4 in the DS would have been beyond frustrating. But to take the series 5...something about that just lets me know, win or lose, the Cards and the Pirates were a great matchup and they went to the final bell. There's no shame in that.

But also, not having to deal with that awesome Pirates crowd makes me breathe a little easier. Maybe it was me, but it seemed like the Cards were playing against the fans too. Any mistake seemed magnified because the crowd was so loud. It was a great home field advantage for Pitt. But now we don't have to deal with that.

[cardsfan04]

Waino is Bueno!!!

[abc789987]

[dmiles2186]

WAINO! FREESE! Bring on the Dodgers!

[cardsfan04]

It was nice to see mCarp hit the ball on the nose a few times last night. I think he's getting ready to bust out of his slump. He's too good of a hitter not to.

[cardsfan04]

Rotation announced:

Kelly
Wacha
Waino
??? (hopefully Miller IMO)