Rox at Cards, Season Opening Series

BigRapidsJackass · 03-31-2008, 10:45 PM

I get to start this late thanks to the rainout. I also get to actually watch the game thanks to the rainout!

I'm not sure I've ever seen a less inspiring opening day matchup:

Kip Wells vs. Kyle Lohse

And the Cards back that up with Todd Wellemeyer. And then Brad Thompson.

Didn't this team used to be considered pretty good? Oh, about 2006 or so? Geez, that looks like some of the rotations the Rockies threw out there in 2004 or so. Aaron Miles is the starting 2B, and Cesar Izturis is the starting SS. Brings me back to the not so good old days of Miles and Royce Clayton.

I got to listen to today's non-game on the radio. Would it kill the Rox radio guys to mention Rick Ankiel's HGH use? They were oohing and ahhing about Rick's combined minor-major league HR total of 43. I think one mention per series is in order. Preferably on a player's first plate appearance so the fans can discount the stats accordingly. Also, do our radio guys not have internet access? They kept wondering aloud about how far Jefferson City is from St Louis. Painful.

One interesting point they did make: LaRussa batted the pitcher 8th, Miles 9th. Partly a commentary on the suckitude of Miles and the ability of Wainwright to handle the bat. But they did say that Hurdle mentioned that if Kaz had be re-signed he would've considered batting Kaz leadoff and Taveras 9th. Hurdle is not immune to innovation! I would've loved to see that, but I don't think we have any decent hitting pitchers anymore. Maybe Morales, who looks like he knows what he's doing at the plate.

All hail midwestern spring rainstorms!

HoyaRoxFan · 03-31-2008, 11:01 PM

All hail indeed! Was quite glad to see the Rox god(s) shine on us today, after Francis' murky start - at the risk of confusing my metaphors all over.

Selfish question: I assume Wells' start tomorrow likely mean everyone else gets pushed back too? Will they mix up the rotation, possibly letting Francis pitch on Friday? I'm flying into town with tickets to the home opener, and would be thrilled to be able to see anyone but Redman. When you see as few games as I do, you can't be picky, but hey...

BigRapidsJackass · 04-01-2008, 01:27 AM

Funny, Hoya (oh, by thew way, sorry about that G'town thing), I was thinking the same thing.

The way I see it, they would likely go Wells-Cook-Jimenez in StL. They won't want to bring Francis back on less than 3 days rest -- he threw an awful lot of pitches and worked constantly in trouble in a mere 3 innings. But I doubt they'd want to hold him back 4 full days.

So there's a reasonable chance we'll see Francis out there.

HoyaRoxFan · 04-01-2008, 08:47 AM

Fantastic. (It happens... rooting for the Hoyas over the years has given me appreciation for how an upstart Cinderella can turn into a perennial powerhouse... gives one hope.)

Mark this as the one time all year to be excited that Kip Wells and not Mark Redman is taking a turn in the rotation.

GerryInCS · 04-01-2008, 12:39 PM

the opening day pitchers were Jeff Francis and Adam Wainwright

HoyaRoxFan · 04-01-2008, 04:41 PM

MLB is pretending yesterday never happened, if you check the language on the websites. Thus, your Opening Day starters are Wells and Lohse.

And it looks like they'll hold off on Francis again until Saturday, according to Ringolsby:

Rockies: Rain brings sunny outlook : Rockies : The Rocky Mountain News

Ah well, Redman it is, for the home opener. Isn't this the first year Hurdle hasn't made a big deal about giving the home opener to a co-ace a la Kennedy/Jennings, Francis/Cook etc? Guess that's a nod to the Canuck.

Dante Bichette · 04-02-2008, 03:52 PM

Good win last night. Could of had more runs in the 8th inning, but Hawpe and Torrealba were way too agressive against a pitcher who was struggling to throw strikes. Nix looked like the veteran of the group by getting the walk that seemed inevitable. Good pitching on both sides, and I was surprised with Wells' performance.

Dante Bichette · 04-02-2008, 03:54 PM

Oh, and by the way, it is good to be back after the long offseason and have baseball to talk about again.

Newman · 04-03-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRapidsJackass

I got to listen to today's non-game on the radio. Would it kill the Rox radio guys to mention Rick Ankiel's HGH use? They were oohing and ahhing about Rick's combined minor-major league HR total of 43. I think one mention per series is in order. Preferably on a player's first plate appearance so the fans can discount the stats accordingly. Also, do our radio guys not have internet access? They kept wondering aloud about how far Jefferson City is from St Louis. Painful.

One interesting point they did make: LaRussa batted the pitcher 8th, Miles 9th. Partly a commentary on the suckitude of Miles and the ability of Wainwright to handle the bat. But they did say that Hurdle mentioned that if Kaz had be re-signed he would've considered batting Kaz leadoff and Taveras 9th. Hurdle is not immune to innovation! I would've loved to see that, but I don't think we have any decent hitting pitchers anymore. Maybe Morales, who looks like he knows what he's doing at the plate.

All hail midwestern spring rainstorms!

Fernando Vina made his debut last night, on Baseball Tonight, and he said he was sorry that he was busted for HGH (or was it steroids) and that he thought nothing should happen to any of the players mentioned in the Mitchell Report. Being embarassed is enough of a penalty. Let's turn the page and move on. Why have consequences?

And of course his buds in the booth, Ravi and Steve Phillips, had nothing to say. But Karl Ravitch at least did ask Vina. Personally, I'm asking, why does he have a job at espn, Fernando? He's lost credibility in my mind, if Chelsey will allow me to use the word credibility. When asked if he thought players were still taking HGH Vina said no. They wouldn't risk it. Blah blah blah. I thought that was totally laughable. There's no testing for it. Why wouldn't they risk it? Athletes are always looking for an edge. Big money's at stake. Why does Vina still have a job there? Bring back Harold Reynolds. What did Harold get canned for? Flirting?

Found myself last night, watching the Yanks vs. Toronto, more often than our Rox. Why? Better broadcasters + they have a crawl screen on the bottom, giving info, like Putz on the DL, which gets my fantasy baseball mind buzzing at high speed. Would it hurt FSN to run a crawl screen at the bottom with info? Baseball is such a slow paced game.

Originally I scoffed at LaRussa and his ploy to bat the pitcher 8th. Now, being stuck with Taveras on my fantasy team, I'm thinking why not give it a try? I think Morales is a better hitter than Willy.

Was disappointed in Cook. St Louis is throwing a AAA pitching staff at us, after Wainwright. We should be sweeping them after the opening rainout.

And how about hitting Hawpe 5th against righty pitching, and Atkins 6th? What's wrong with that?

03-31-2008, 10:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,032	Rox at Cards, Season Opening Series I get to start this late thanks to the rainout. I also get to actually watch the game thanks to the rainout! I'm not sure I've ever seen a less inspiring opening day matchup: Kip Wells vs. Kyle Lohse And the Cards back that up with Todd Wellemeyer. And then Brad Thompson. Didn't this team used to be considered pretty good? Oh, about 2006 or so? Geez, that looks like some of the rotations the Rockies threw out there in 2004 or so. Aaron Miles is the starting 2B, and Cesar Izturis is the starting SS. Brings me back to the not so good old days of Miles and Royce Clayton. I got to listen to today's non-game on the radio. Would it kill the Rox radio guys to mention Rick Ankiel's HGH use? They were oohing and ahhing about Rick's combined minor-major league HR total of 43. I think one mention per series is in order. Preferably on a player's first plate appearance so the fans can discount the stats accordingly. Also, do our radio guys not have internet access? They kept wondering aloud about how far Jefferson City is from St Louis. Painful. One interesting point they did make: LaRussa batted the pitcher 8th, Miles 9th. Partly a commentary on the suckitude of Miles and the ability of Wainwright to handle the bat. But they did say that Hurdle mentioned that if Kaz had be re-signed he would've considered batting Kaz leadoff and Taveras 9th. Hurdle is not immune to innovation! I would've loved to see that, but I don't think we have any decent hitting pitchers anymore. Maybe Morales, who looks like he knows what he's doing at the plate. All hail midwestern spring rainstorms!

03-31-2008, 11:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
HoyaRoxFan Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 262	All hail indeed! Was quite glad to see the Rox god(s) shine on us today, after Francis' murky start - at the risk of confusing my metaphors all over. Selfish question: I assume Wells' start tomorrow likely mean everyone else gets pushed back too? Will they mix up the rotation, possibly letting Francis pitch on Friday? I'm flying into town with tickets to the home opener, and would be thrilled to be able to see anyone but Redman. When you see as few games as I do, you can't be picky, but hey... Last edited by HoyaRoxFan : 03-31-2008 at 11:03 PM.

04-01-2008, 12:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
GerryInCS Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 541	the opening day pitchers were Jeff Francis and Adam Wainwright __________________ Americans aren't afraid of Mexicans, Americans are afraid that Mexicans are turning America into Mexico.

04-01-2008, 01:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,032	Funny, Hoya (oh, by thew way, sorry about that G'town thing), I was thinking the same thing. The way I see it, they would likely go Wells-Cook-Jimenez in StL. They won't want to bring Francis back on less than 3 days rest -- he threw an awful lot of pitches and worked constantly in trouble in a mere 3 innings. But I doubt they'd want to hold him back 4 full days. So there's a reasonable chance we'll see Francis out there.

04-01-2008, 08:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
HoyaRoxFan Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 262	Fantastic. (It happens... rooting for the Hoyas over the years has given me appreciation for how an upstart Cinderella can turn into a perennial powerhouse... gives one hope.) Mark this as the one time all year to be excited that Kip Wells and not Mark Redman is taking a turn in the rotation.

04-01-2008, 04:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
HoyaRoxFan Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 262	MLB is pretending yesterday never happened, if you check the language on the websites. Thus, your Opening Day starters are Wells and Lohse. And it looks like they'll hold off on Francis again until Saturday, according to Ringolsby: Rockies: Rain brings sunny outlook : Rockies : The Rocky Mountain News Ah well, Redman it is, for the home opener. Isn't this the first year Hurdle hasn't made a big deal about giving the home opener to a co-ace a la Kennedy/Jennings, Francis/Cook etc? Guess that's a nod to the Canuck.

04-02-2008, 03:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dante Bichette Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 259	Good win last night. Could of had more runs in the 8th inning, but Hawpe and Torrealba were way too agressive against a pitcher who was struggling to throw strikes. Nix looked like the veteran of the group by getting the walk that seemed inevitable. Good pitching on both sides, and I was surprised with Wells' performance.

04-02-2008, 03:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dante Bichette Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 259	Oh, and by the way, it is good to be back after the long offseason and have baseball to talk about again.