Cardinals get an A-: but

[Ronnie Dobbs]

All I need to know is that I am having fun while it lasts. I have a bad feeling that there will be rough times ahead with our bullpen and rotation, but we’re not there yet. And these two areas will get worse if both May and O’Brien are pitching well at the deadline.

[Jatalk]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

Because the starters don't cover enough innings and the bullpen has been combustible from day 1 on the innings they cover. This staff will be gassed by Aug 1 (if they make it that far).

I can’t find the stat I’m looking for but it does seem they are getting a little deeper in games. Heck I think the league average is a little over 5 innings. Please don’t burst my bubble of enthusiasm. It rarely happens with me.

[3dender]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

Because the starters don't cover enough innings and the bullpen has been combustible from day 1 on the innings they cover. This staff will be gassed by Aug 1 (if they make it that far).

I can’t find the stat I’m looking for but it does seem they are getting a little deeper in games. Heck I think the league average is a little over 5 innings. Please don’t burst my bubble of enthusiasm. It rarely happens with me.

The issue is that both starters and relievers are getting lucky... it would literally be a miracle if it continues. Look at the ERA/FIP/BABIP against for the following pitchers (our best ones):

McGreevy: 2.52/4.19/.209
Libby: 4.50/5.84/.292
Pallante: 3.73/4.68/.250

Romero: 3.94/5.27/.256
Graceffo: 0.98/3.53/.167
Soriano: 3.68/4.24/.175
Shuster: 3.18/4.38/.238

[Talkin' Baseball]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

Because the starters don't cover enough innings and the bullpen has been combustible from day 1 on the innings they cover. This staff will be gassed by Aug 1 (if they make it that far).

I can’t find the stat I’m looking for but it does seem they are getting a little deeper in games. Heck I think the league average is a little over 5 innings. Please don’t burst my bubble of enthusiasm. It rarely happens with me.

I haven't looked up the stat either, but since they began this 17 games in 17 days stretch the starters have done much better about going longer (one Liberatore start excepted).

[rockondlouie]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

Because the starters don't cover enough innings and the bullpen has been combustible from day 1 on the innings they cover. This staff will be gassed by Aug 1 (if they make it that far).

Unless C. Bloom is able to bring in a couple upgraded bullpen arms (of course doing so w/o dealing any relevant prospects).

Doing this wouldn't disrupt the L-T plans, could be good for team and fan moral (re: attendance).

[imetsatchelpaige]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

Because the starters don't cover enough innings and the bullpen has been combustible from day 1 on the innings they cover. This staff will be gassed by Aug 1 (if they make it that far).

I can’t find the stat I’m looking for but it does seem they are getting a little deeper in games. Heck I think the league average is a little over 5 innings. Please don’t burst my bubble of enthusiasm. It rarely happens with me.

The issue is that both starters and relievers are getting lucky... it would literally be a miracle if it continues. Look at the ERA/FIP/BABIP against for the following pitchers (our best ones):

McGreevy: 2.52/4.19/.209
Libby: 4.50/5.84/.292
Pallante: 3.73/4.68/.250

Romero: 3.94/5.27/.256
Graceffo: 0.98/3.53/.167
Soriano: 3.68/4.24/.175
Shuster: 3.18/4.38/.238

Telling stats. Thx for the research.

[82birds]

No lies detected.

The lack of a strikeout pitches on the staff concerns me. I think that's been the biggest issue with the team. I don't know how many times I've seen starters and relievers get to 0-2/1-2 on a guy, and then start nibbling or going into foul ball-o-rama.

yup, that is a problem

[JDW]

No lies detected.

The lack of a strikeout pitches on the staff concerns me. I think that's been the biggest issue with the team. I don't know how many times I've seen starters and relievers get to 0-2/1-2 on a guy, and then start nibbling or going into foul ball-o-rama.

But hey, wins are still wins. You gotta win somehow, right?

What it suggests to me is that there's serious regression coming.

E.g. Jeff Jones today was pointing out how bad Graceffo's peripherals look, while he has a 0.98 ERA. How long are we really thinking he's going to have a .167 BABIP against while giving up 92mph EV and 52% HardHit rate, with only a 15% K-rate?

1 run games and extra innings games tend to average out by season's end so ...

Point being, enjoy it while it lasts and don't blow a gasket when it stops... I'm aware that's like praying for a miracle on this forum.

Lol!
Well, I am enjoying it, while holding out some hope with the "you never know" thingy.
Trading for a couple good BP guys instead of additional prospects before the deadline probably isn't the direction the Cards FO goes this summer, but will they stick with that IF the Cards are still surprising into July?

[Talkin' Baseball]

No lies detected.

The lack of a strikeout pitches on the staff concerns me. I think that's been the biggest issue with the team. I don't know how many times I've seen starters and relievers get to 0-2/1-2 on a guy, and then start nibbling or going into foul ball-o-rama.

But hey, wins are still wins. You gotta win somehow, right?

What it suggests to me is that there's serious regression coming.

E.g. Jeff Jones today was pointing out how bad Graceffo's peripherals look, while he has a 0.98 ERA. How long are we really thinking he's going to have a .167 BABIP against while giving up 92mph EV and 52% HardHit rate, with only a 15% K-rate?

1 run games and extra innings games tend to average out by season's end so ...

Point being, enjoy it while it lasts and don't blow a gasket when it stops... I'm aware that's like praying for a miracle on this forum.

Lol!
Well, I am enjoying it, while holding out some hope with the "you never know" thingy.
Trading for a couple good BP guys instead of additional prospects before the deadline probably isn't the direction the Cards FO goes this summer, but will they stick with that IF the Cards are still surprising into July?

IMO, they will.

[WeeVikes]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

I think those are very legitimate concers, however, your point is very well taken. They may need some luck, perhaps more than if the pitching were more complete, but yeah, I'm starting to come around to your thinking.

There will certainly be injuries. And while strengthening the bullpen could conceivably get us to the tail end of the playoffs, that too is a crapshoot. But I don’t see any world in which we would go very far. Bloom has a plan. I think sticking with that plan is far more important than where we end up at the end of this year.
All of that stated, I also see a world where we are competitive next year, a team that could make a run. I would’ve given you long odds on that a month ago.

And as 3ender said, don’t blow a gasket when it all catches up to us. Because it will.

I’m in complete agreement, Satch. I think it would have to be a pretty charmed year to make it this season. I’m beginning to think it’s within the realm of possibility, though, which I didn’t believe back in March.

That said, I also agree with you about staying the course. The last thing I want to see is them get impatient, do something foolish, and chase something that probably isn’t yet there, just to get beaten early. If they slide in as-is, outstanding. Anything is gravy at that point. If they trade for rentals, I’ll be most put out.

[Ozziesfan41]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

I think those are very legitimate concers, however, your point is very well taken. They may need some luck, perhaps more than if the pitching were more complete, but yeah, I'm starting to come around to your thinking.

There will certainly be injuries. And while strengthening the bullpen could conceivably get us to the tail end of the playoffs, that too is a crapshoot. But I don’t see any world in which we would go very far. Bloom has a plan. I think sticking with that plan is far more important than where we end up at the end of this year.
All of that stated, I also see a world where we are competitive next year, a team that could make a run. I would’ve given you long odds on that a month ago.

And as 3ender said, don’t blow a gasket when it all catches up to us. Because it will.

I’m in complete agreement, Satch. I think it would have to be a pretty charmed year to make it this season. I’m beginning to think it’s within the realm of possibility, though, which I didn’t believe back in March.

That said, I also agree with you about staying the course. The last thing I want to see is them get impatient, do something foolish, and chase something that probably isn’t yet there, just to get beaten early. If they slide in as-is, outstanding. Anything is gravy at that point. If they trade for rentals, I’ll be most put out.

One thing bloom has said since taking over is the key to success is staying discipline in what they are doing so I don’t think bloom does anything foolish

[WeeVikes]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

I think those are very legitimate concers, however, your point is very well taken. They may need some luck, perhaps more than if the pitching were more complete, but yeah, I'm starting to come around to your thinking.

There will certainly be injuries. And while strengthening the bullpen could conceivably get us to the tail end of the playoffs, that too is a crapshoot. But I don’t see any world in which we would go very far. Bloom has a plan. I think sticking with that plan is far more important than where we end up at the end of this year.
All of that stated, I also see a world where we are competitive next year, a team that could make a run. I would’ve given you long odds on that a month ago.

And as 3ender said, don’t blow a gasket when it all catches up to us. Because it will.

I’m in complete agreement, Satch. I think it would have to be a pretty charmed year to make it this season. I’m beginning to think it’s within the realm of possibility, though, which I didn’t believe back in March.

That said, I also agree with you about staying the course. The last thing I want to see is them get impatient, do something foolish, and chase something that probably isn’t yet there, just to get beaten early. If they slide in as-is, outstanding. Anything is gravy at that point. If they trade for rentals, I’ll be most put out.

One thing bloom has said since taking over is the key to success is staying discipline in what they are doing so I don’t think bloom does anything foolish

I’m willing to be patient for that. Being a serious threat year in and year out is worth the effort and the wait.

[hugeCardfan]

All I need to know is that I am having fun while it lasts. I have a bad feeling that there will be rough times ahead with our bullpen and rotation, but we’re not there yet. And these two areas will get worse if both May and O’Brien are pitching well at the deadline.

Nah. O'Brien has 5 years of control left. We don't have a reason in the world to trade him.

[3dender]

No serious injuries and strengthen bull pen, why can’t we be a playoff team?

Because the starters don't cover enough innings and the bullpen has been combustible from day 1 on the innings they cover. This staff will be gassed by Aug 1 (if they make it that far).

I can’t find the stat I’m looking for but it does seem they are getting a little deeper in games. Heck I think the league average is a little over 5 innings. Please don’t burst my bubble of enthusiasm. It rarely happens with me.

The issue is that both starters and relievers are getting lucky... it would literally be a miracle if it continues. Look at the ERA/FIP/BABIP against for the following pitchers (our best ones):

McGreevy: 2.52/4.19/.209
Libby: 4.50/5.84/.292
Pallante: 3.73/4.68/.250

Romero: 3.94/5.27/.256
Graceffo: 0.98/3.53/.167
Soriano: 3.68/4.24/.175
Shuster: 3.18/4.38/.238

Graceffo luck balancing out tonight.

[Cardinals1964]

No lies detected.

The lack of a strikeout pitches on the staff concerns me. I think that's been the biggest issue with the team. I don't know how many times I've seen starters and relievers get to 0-2/1-2 on a guy, and then start nibbling or going into foul ball-o-rama.

But hey, wins are still wins. You gotta win somehow, right?

What it suggests to me is that there's serious regression coming.

E.g. Jeff Jones today was pointing out how bad Graceffo's peripherals look, while he has a 0.98 ERA. How long are we really thinking he's going to have a .167 BABIP against while giving up 92mph EV and 52% HardHit rate, with only a 15% K-rate?

1 run games and extra innings games tend to average out by season's end so ...

Stats please?

[Carp4Cy]

And guys criticize the high velocity arms we are drafting and trading for. This is why

Problem is none of them can stay healthy or throw strikes.

Graceffo and Hence have already been demoted to relief careers.