The Not-So Crappy Cardinals continue to impress, weathering last week's stretch of bad baseball by winning three out of four and reclaiming a share of first place in the NL Central. Pujols is still the best player on the planet, but the play of Skip Schumaker, Adam Kennedy (yes, the same Kennedy who was good 5 years ago), and Ryan Ludwick at the plate have given this team a lift. The pitching of these Cardinals continues to defy the odds. What should have been one of the worst rotations in the last 25 years, has been lights-out:- Adam Wainwright--3-1/2.79 ERA
- Kyle Lohse--3-0/2.36 ERA
- Joel Pineiro--2-2/3.75 ERA
- Braden Looper--3-1/4.05 ERA
- Todd Wellemeyer--2-1/4.14 ERA
Currently, the Cardinals rank third in all of baseball with a team ERA of 3.46. Other baseball-related observations not related to the Not-So Crappy Cardinals are:
- Many surprises continue at the top of many divisions. The Orioles continue to torment its fan base by playing well. I am setting the over-under for days before the birds start their collapse and end up in the cellar at 20. The White Sox are still on top and the Tigers are still at the bottom of the AL Central, but the latter is still working on closing the gap. How is Oakland tied for first with the ALs best record? A league best, 3.11 team ERA helps. The Marlins still lead the NL East despite ranking 21st in team ERA, 18th in runs scored, and 29th in team fielding percentage. What does this team do well? Win.
- Chipper Jones is doing his best 1925 Rogers Hornsby. In 1925, Hornsby hit .404 with 39 home runs and 143 RBIs for the Cardinals. Chipper is currently hitting .432 with 8 home runs and 21 RBIs. Can he stay healthy?
- While Cliff Lee has been nothing short of sensational, as chronicled here, Brandon Webb is trying to be the NL version of Cliff Lee, sexy 0.28 ERA not included. In 6 starts, Webb is 6-0 with an ERA of 1.98 (Cliff Lee scoffs at an ERA that high) and 34 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched.
- Hitters to watch not named Chipper--Albert Pujols, Chase Utley, Pat Burrell, Derrick Lee, Rafael Furcal, Manny Ramirez, and Josh Hamilton
- Pitchers to watch not named Cliff and Brandon--Edinson Volquez (who?), Ben Sheets, Tim Lincecum, and Zack Greinke
1 comment:
Did you just compare Chipper to Rogers Hornsby? More like John Olerud.
I can't imagine the Cards can keep up that pitching, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.
I'll take the under on the O's. They have no business making Angelos look smart. This will end sooner rather than later.
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