Everybody and I mean Everybody (even you Mel) were wrong about this team

[riff raff]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

I find it amazing that someone, anyone would read all that. I'm sure it was very inciteful.
I have dooshville on a 3-sentence limit for the most part. If he goes over, I generally just skip past him.

You read every word.
Twice.
Hoping and looking for a misstatement.
And found none.
We both know that.

sure I did

[riff raff]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Thankfully, a pause to your daily 2:00am woe is me b----fest.

no doubt

[sikeston bulldog2]

I'm happy to admit (up to this point) that I was wrong about this team. Then again, a great stretch of 15 games doesn't make a season. Right now they're firing on all cylinders and I hope that continues. To expect them to continue at this pace is reality though. I just hope it's close to reality. I still don't trust Mikolas.

Agree concerning Mikolas.
He is the weakest link in the rotation and those of us who called for McGreevy, not Mikolas, to have the spot, were probably correct.
Mikolas does not K many hitters, but unlike Pallante he cannot rely on inducing ground balls to compensate.
A lot of hard contact getting caught in the outfield - and that is not sustainable.
Regardless of what standings may look like in July, Super Slo Mo should not miss an opportunity to move him.

Mik is a strike thrower. Either they barrel him or they don’t. Doesn’t usually walk many but has walked eight in four of last five games while averaging 5 IP. That means almost two runners per inning by walks. Then combined with his hittability, the recipe is for 5 run games.

Excellent point concerning covering innings.
All the other starters are better bets to get deeper into games and cause less exposure to the BP.
That has been key to the BP's improved performance.
Mikolas is the one pitcher who causes The Marmot to lean on the BP the most.
And BP stress becomes a greater risk as the season grinds on.

If it’s a pitcher or two causing the stress I see no BIG deal, an issue, not big deal. Pen might handle 2 games spread out over five days. Anything more would tip the boat over.

[ClassicO]

Once again, it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals' pitching holds up over the remainder of the season.

Right now, they are 29th in K/9, 7th in BB/9, and 2nd in HR/9.

So they've allowed balls in play (and have had one of the best, if not the best, team defenses so far) while avoiding getting hurt by HRs.

That is the recipe they have seemingly tried for many years, with limited success.

The pitching staff is 11th in runs allowed at 4.09 runs/game (with league avg. of 4.37) vs 13th last year with 4.44 (with league avg. of 4.39).

It's the offense (so far). They're 6th this year at 4.93. vs 25th last year with 4.15 runs/game.

[Carp4Cy]

The bottom line is that, to this point, the Cardinals have a number of players who are:

1) exceeding rather modest expectations, or
2) confirming that they can meet some pretty high expectations.

Donovan, Winn, Nootbaar, Herrera, Scott, Saggese, Pozo, Liberatore, Matz, etc. are all probably in one of those two categories.

This year has been about wanting to see that development show on the field from a lot of the younger players, and so far that are seeing that. But they hope to see more of it out of Walker and Gorman as well.

Meanwhile, this is the big leagues and the point is to win championships. Getting close to time to stop-over-analizying every speck of prospect progress or lack thereof and just go for it.

[Cusecards]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

I find it amazing that someone, anyone would read all that. I'm sure it was very inciteful.
I have dooshville on a 3-sentence limit for the most part. If he goes over, I generally just skip past him.

Nobody read it all.
I just picked out all the “I’s” and “me’s” and pointed out he’ll always be the Sideshow Clown!

[Cranny]

It’s nice that all existing major league Cardinal position players are under control for multiple years. And Saggese, JJ, and Crooks are in the wings.
Lots to consider with the rotation going into 2026.
Mikolas, Fedde, and Matz will all be gone. That leaves Gray, Pallante, Liberatore, and McGreevy probably set. Will Matthew win the #5 spot? Or will he need another year of development? Do they trade or sign a FA for depth? The bullpen may
have to be rebuilt if Helsley is traded.

[Voldemort]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

I am the most principled, consistent, and accountable person who has ever posted on this forum.
Every statement above is in perfect alignment with everything I stated in the off-season and spring training.
You - nor anyone else - will find zero deviation.
Which, of course, is the real source of your objection.
Please note, I did not initially insert my views and perspective into this thread.
The OP did - doubtless with the best of intentions and the purest of motives.
I merely responded with the correct record.

This is your typical deflection. You [nonsense] your way around this site and when asked for evidence of the [nonsense] you post, you can't. You're not fooling anyone here. Principled? Too funny!

[CCard]

I'm happy to admit (up to this point) that I was wrong about this team. Then again, a great stretch of 15 games doesn't make a season. Right now they're firing on all cylinders and I hope that continues. To expect them to continue at this pace is reality though. I just hope it's close to reality. I still don't trust Mikolas.

Agree concerning Mikolas.
He is the weakest link in the rotation and those of us who called for McGreevy, not Mikolas, to have the spot, were probably correct.
Mikolas does not K many hitters, but unlike Pallante he cannot rely on inducing ground balls to compensate.
A lot of hard contact getting caught in the outfield - and that is not sustainable.
Regardless of what standings may look like in July, Super Slo Mo should not miss an opportunity to move him.

Mostly agreed. I think I'd wait to move him now since he's showing signs of reverting back to his best year form, but really it would depend on what they could get for him. I certainly think McGreevy could take his place though.

[Cusecards]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

I am the most principled, consistent, and accountable person who has ever posted on this forum.
Every statement above is in perfect alignment with everything I stated in the off-season and spring training.
You - nor anyone else - will find zero deviation.
Which, of course, is the real source of your objection.
Please note, I did not initially insert my views and perspective into this thread.
The OP did - doubtless with the best of intentions and the purest of motives.
I merely responded with the correct record.

This is your typical deflection. You [nonsense] your way around this site and when asked for evidence of the [nonsense] you post, you can't. You're not fooling anyone here. Principled? Too funny!

He’s a running joke.
AKA the Sideshow Clown!

[hugeCardfan]

Right. Just clueless.

viewtopic.php?t=1509995

[spfldan]

Winning can also be a disease. Momentum is underrated. I think, especially with pro athletes. I'm enjoying the run.

[bfib]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

There were many people on this board who said the Cardinals would contend for the Central. Nothing is at all surprising about the position they find themselves in.

[Baseball Savant]

Playing over their skis a bit, 12/13 is a nice response to early season woes, but it’s get harder soon with upcoming schedule Detroit, Arizona, Texas

[1_12_1968]

Playing over their skis a bit, 12/13 is a nice response to early season woes, but it’s get harder soon with upcoming schedule Detroit, Arizona, Texas

We need to stop doing this. Cards aren’t lucky they are playing great baseball. I will be surprised if they don’t play well against Detroit.

[Bully4you]

How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

There were many people on this board who said the Cardinals would contend for the Central. Nothing is at all surprising about the position they find themselves in.

I don't recall many that said that.
I remember maybe 75-80% of the board
believing this was a loser of a year.
I could be wrong, but I doubt it.