Recap of the Reds series
The 2-2 series split with the Reds represented a lot of what is good and what is bad about this team so far this season. Let's look at the good news and the bad news.
The Good News
Everything went right in the opening. This looked like it would be a statement game that could turn the series in the direction of the Cardinals. They hammered out 13 runs on 4 home runs, including one from anemic batting catcher Yadier Molina, who had a good day at 2-5 with 4 RBI. In addition, Jeff Weaver pitched his best game as a Cardinal, going six innings and allowing one earned run while striking out seven. They got into the Reds bullpen early in a series opener, always a good thing, as it potentially puts more pressure on the starting pitching the following couple days.
Game four of the series was practically a replay of game one, with fewer runs. Four home runs(2 by Duncan, 1 by Edmonds and Spiezio, there's that lefty power that they've been lacking most of the year), only one run scored by the other side. Anthony Reyes pitched about as poorly as you can without giving up a run, which I put in the category of good news, because again, 0 ER!
Other good news: The split with the Reds, who the Cardinals are now 4-8 against, means that the Reds gain NO ground on the Cards and still sit 3.5 games back. This was a beautiful opportunity for both sides to make a statement, and down 2 games to 1, the Cards pulled out an excellent performance to keep the lead from being cut to only 1.5 games.
The Bad News
Jason Marquis was straight up BAD. In what could end up being Marquis's last start for awhile, he went 2.2 Innings, giving up 4 earned. La Russa's got to be getting frustrated with him, and as is written in excellent Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos, "the team looks ill whenever Marquis pitches". Also discussed is what will happen when Mulder returns. Mulder may be taking Marquis's place, and who knows, depending on which Weaver comes out next time(the 1 ER in 6 innings, or the one who is more responsible for the 6.79 ERA), we may even see them consider placing Jorge Sosa into the rotation.
Potentially even worse news, Chris Carpenter was rocked as well. Although he did go deep into the game, Carpenter was afforded a 4-0 first inning lead, and a 6-3 lead later, neither of which he held. Normally I wouldn't worry about Carpenter, as everyone is entitled to have a bad start, but last time out he did take a shot off of one of his pitching fingers. Hopefully there is no injury that we have to worry about.
The Good News
Everything went right in the opening. This looked like it would be a statement game that could turn the series in the direction of the Cardinals. They hammered out 13 runs on 4 home runs, including one from anemic batting catcher Yadier Molina, who had a good day at 2-5 with 4 RBI. In addition, Jeff Weaver pitched his best game as a Cardinal, going six innings and allowing one earned run while striking out seven. They got into the Reds bullpen early in a series opener, always a good thing, as it potentially puts more pressure on the starting pitching the following couple days.
Game four of the series was practically a replay of game one, with fewer runs. Four home runs(2 by Duncan, 1 by Edmonds and Spiezio, there's that lefty power that they've been lacking most of the year), only one run scored by the other side. Anthony Reyes pitched about as poorly as you can without giving up a run, which I put in the category of good news, because again, 0 ER!
Other good news: The split with the Reds, who the Cardinals are now 4-8 against, means that the Reds gain NO ground on the Cards and still sit 3.5 games back. This was a beautiful opportunity for both sides to make a statement, and down 2 games to 1, the Cards pulled out an excellent performance to keep the lead from being cut to only 1.5 games.
The Bad News
Jason Marquis was straight up BAD. In what could end up being Marquis's last start for awhile, he went 2.2 Innings, giving up 4 earned. La Russa's got to be getting frustrated with him, and as is written in excellent Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos, "the team looks ill whenever Marquis pitches". Also discussed is what will happen when Mulder returns. Mulder may be taking Marquis's place, and who knows, depending on which Weaver comes out next time(the 1 ER in 6 innings, or the one who is more responsible for the 6.79 ERA), we may even see them consider placing Jorge Sosa into the rotation.
Potentially even worse news, Chris Carpenter was rocked as well. Although he did go deep into the game, Carpenter was afforded a 4-0 first inning lead, and a 6-3 lead later, neither of which he held. Normally I wouldn't worry about Carpenter, as everyone is entitled to have a bad start, but last time out he did take a shot off of one of his pitching fingers. Hopefully there is no injury that we have to worry about.
posted by Matt at 11:05 AM
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