2006-06-26 15:58:22 · 12 answers · asked by refforjesus 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Not yet. The problem is that there really is nobody to put up good competition in the Central this year. I thought it was going to be pretty tough this year with the Astros and the Cubs' lineups, then Cincinnati and Milwaukee started playing well too. But the Cards are on a 7 game losing streak and are still in first place by 1.5 games. They have a tough game tonight, but I think they'll pull this one out, then they have one more against the Indians, a day off, then 3 game sets against Kansas City and Atlanta before closing the first half with a 4 game series against the Astros. They're still looking at 50+ wins in the first half, with 76 to go in the second half.
2006-06-27 01:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by Swish 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First off let me qualify this by saying I'm a Cardinals fan from way back(early 60's)...I thought this might be the year, but the pitching just has not been there...we will not win in the playoffs without pitching...Carpenter is the only starter who has been good and he's been inconsistent...
Carpenter 2.97ERA
Marquis 5.82 and worse he's not hitting(171)
Mulder 6.09 I hear he may have an arm problem.
Ponson 4.95
Suppan 5.09
That kind of starting pitching just will not get the job done...
Isringhausen 6HR in 31 IP and averaging 7.26 walks per 9 innings, that's not going to cut it for a closer...
The rest of the BP is doing a pretty good job...
Now for the good news, the Cards have 2 of the top 10 position players in Baseball, Pujols may well be the best right now and Scott Rolen is the best "all around" 3B in the game...Yes I know David Wright is having a huge year for the Mets but Wright can't come close to Rolen with the glove...Rolen 3.32TCPG , Wright 2.45TCPG that means Rolen has taken away 55 more hits "so far" this season than Wright..
The Great
Pujols 312 the best Power and Clutch hitter in BB right now.
Rolen 348
The Good
Eckstein 318 his fielding has improved since his move to the Cardinals he was at 4.2TCG with the Angels...5.0 last year with the Cards and he's at 4.6 this year.
Taguchi 290
Luna 317
Miles 273
Encarnacion - 283 coming on after a horrible start
Rodriguez 298
The Bad
Edmonds 260 and slowing down on the field and at the plate
Molina 214 it hurts to have a catcher that can't hit a lick..
The Cardinals are going to win 90+ games and lose early in the playoffs unless their pitching really steps up...
2006-06-27 00:34:02 · answer #2 · answered by jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't panic just yet - the Cards are a very good team. They have a better middle of the lineup than anyone else in the NL Central, solid pitching, and with LaRussa as manager, they do all the little things a team needs to succeed. The problem in recent weeks has been the injuries to Pujols and Edmonds, and then having to play against the hottest division baseball has seen in the last decade or longer (the poor Twins have won 15 of 17, and made up a grand total of 1/2 a game on the division lead). I can't see either the Reds or Brewers taking the division from them, although Houston, now that early season disappointments like Lane are beginning to come around, could be dangerous. But you can't panic less than half way through the season - otherwise the next couple of months will be hell (take it from a Tigers fan, who has had to panic year after year before they even make the trip up from Lakeland).
2006-06-26 23:29:48 · answer #3 · answered by lobyman13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The leaders on the St. Louis Cardinals are tough. But, they have to stay healthy. St. Louis is not a well rounded team. Strong with Albert Pujols with the r.b.i.'s and home runs and Brad Thompson batting average of .500. Jason Marquis pitching and Jason Isringhausen closing makes for a nice 1st string...
Team Stats Leaders
Stat Leaders
BA Brad Thompson .500
HR Albert Pujols 26
RBI Albert Pujols 67
Wins Jason Marquis 9
Saves Jason Isringhausen 24
Having said that...26 June 2006---
CLEVELAND
INDIANS (34-41).................10
ST. LOUIS
CARDINALS (42-33)............3
W: Cliff Lee (7-5) L: Jason Marquis (9-6)
HR: CLE- G. Sizemore (15), T. Hafner 2(21), T. Hollandsworth (3)
With Cincinnati giving chase in the National League Central and the National League West being wide open, all eyes will be focused on the National League post season playoffs.
And in the National League East....
LET'S GO, METS
2006-06-26 23:52:35 · answer #4 · answered by marnefirstinfantry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No , If you look at what Larussa has done since he has been in St.Louis he has a very constant record of showing up in the second half.
That being said it's no way if we make the playoffs we could win with our current lineup, we need at least 1 more starter and a solid closer, I would go as far to say another clutch batter also since Edmonds it's the player of old.
2006-06-26 23:04:52 · answer #5 · answered by Derrick T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they just got swept by the two best teams in baseball. also you need to relize that the Al is something like 47-12 this year versus the NL.
2006-06-27 01:41:05 · answer #6 · answered by ccccccc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because the Reds are coming to get you.
2006-06-26 23:03:23 · answer #7 · answered by olelefthander 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Naw, just chill.
its the cards, they literally own the NL central.
they just suck everywhere else.
I mean who's gonna pas them, the cubs?
see your calming down already...
2006-06-27 12:07:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're in first place, the team chasing you has no bullpen, and you're just getting your big hitter back. In other words, no.
2006-06-26 23:13:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anon28 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep anthony reyes up. saw the kid make his major league debut last yr in milwaukee. amazing stuff
2006-06-27 03:32:48 · answer #10 · answered by STLredbirds33 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋