Game Thread #44 - TAM@STL - 5/16/08

Coop · 05-16-2008, 09:44 AM

The AL East First Place Tampa Bay Rays visit St. Louis.
Probables: Braden Looper vs Andy Sonnanstine.

Interleague preview
The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: Cards begin daunting Interleague slate
Lohse
The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: Lohse may miss Sunday start
Offense
STLtoday - Cardinals offense has been marooned

MSN schedule
FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Schedules

Yahoo schedule
MLB - Scores & Schedule Friday May 16, 2008 - Yahoo! Sports

Standings.
The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Standings: Regular Season Standings
Won 24 Lost 19

mattcrossman
SportingNews.com - Your expert source for MLB Baseball stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from MLB Baseball columnists
Cardinals don't have the talent to sustain hot start
There are few on it you would want for your team other than Albert Pujols.
Heck, there might be no one on it you could name other than Albert Pujols.

Additions and corrections are appreciated.

John F · 05-16-2008, 11:10 AM

"AL East, First Place Tampa Bay Rays"

...Living in Tampa, I still can't buy into the concept... Knowing what the Rays have done in the past (not a lot, besides failing spectacularly).

But to give a scouting report - an aloof one at that -- the Rays have been winning games in a decidedly NL fashion. strong pitching, small ball offense... It's a breath of fresh air after having to endure 10 seasons of homer-happy-but-never-a-safe-lead AL slug fests.

Kodiak · 05-16-2008, 12:33 PM

Hey John, thanks for stopping by!

Tampa bay has been the story of the season, so far, for me. Its pretty amazing that they are doing so well in that division. Hopefully they keep it up. The way we've been playing, that may not be too hard.

Anyway, lets hope the Loop-man can put us back on track tonight.

John F · 05-16-2008, 12:47 PM

No problem, Kodiak. Nice chang eof pace being able to actually discuss a game with someoen for a change.

Just a heads up -- Rays pitchers have been taking Batting practice for a few weeks now in prep. for the series. of course, that isn't to suggest that they are suddenly formidable, just a suggestion not to be toos urprised if they actually take their plate appearances seriously.

BleacherBum593 · 05-16-2008, 05:44 PM

Just a heads up - Izzy is gone for the series. We got a shot at shutting the door late in game and winning a few now.

GO PEREZ GO!

tulcard · 05-16-2008, 05:51 PM

I have no question whether or not TLR will throw Perez into the fire immediately....just whether he'll put him in the closer role or in middle relief at first.

Going to the game Bleacher?....if so please bring Home a Winner!!....

BleacherBum593 · 05-16-2008, 06:14 PM

Getting ready to head down to the park in about 30 minutes.

I'd look for Perez to pitch in the 6-8th inning(s) his first time out. Wouldn't surprise me if he's moved into the closer role by the time they return next weekend.

As Crash Davis said "Bring the heat, Meat".

tulcard · 05-16-2008, 08:39 PM

Thus far Looper is not sharp....Tampa Bay leads 1-0 here in the top of the 3rd....2 runners on with none out.....hopefully Looper can get out of this and settle in....and the offense figures out their righthander....

tulcard · 05-16-2008, 10:18 PM

Chris Perez' debut was successful in the 7th; no hits, no runs and was able to record his first ML strikeout....Parisi threw a scoreless 8th so I would assume Lohse will be pitching on Sunday....

Duncan gets us a bit closer w/ his 4th HR of the year in the 8th....Cards trail 3-1 heading to the 9th....

tulcard · 05-16-2008, 10:35 PM

Tampa Bay starter Sonnenstine kept our hitters off balance all night and their defense was outstanding as they take game one 3-1....

Back at the 'ole ballpark tomorrow to even things up....

Kodiak · 05-16-2008, 11:49 PM

Great pitching from Tampa, their starter hardly threw a ball.

Looper pitched decently and once again raised his batting average.

Must.....get.....wins.

Coop · 05-17-2008, 12:36 AM

Recaps
STLtoday - Rays stymie Cards — and Pujols
The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: St. Louis Cardinals News

John F · 05-17-2008, 11:50 AM

Warned you guys about pitchers taking batting practice seriously. Sonny was 2-3. Anyone ont he Cards voice anything regarding his delivery?

05-16-2008, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Coop Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Memphis Posts: 3,220	Game Thread #44 - TAM@STL - 5/16/08 The AL East First Place Tampa Bay Rays visit St. Louis. Probables: Braden Looper vs Andy Sonnanstine. Interleague preview The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: Cards begin daunting Interleague slate Lohse The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: Lohse may miss Sunday start Offense STLtoday - Cardinals offense has been marooned MSN schedule FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Schedules Yahoo schedule MLB - Scores & Schedule Friday May 16, 2008 - Yahoo! Sports Standings. The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Standings: Regular Season Standings Won 24 Lost 19 mattcrossman SportingNews.com - Your expert source for MLB Baseball stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from MLB Baseball columnists Cardinals don't have the talent to sustain hot start There are few on it you would want for your team other than Albert Pujols. Heck, there might be no one on it you could name other than Albert Pujols. Additions and corrections are appreciated.

05-16-2008, 11:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	"AL East, First Place Tampa Bay Rays" ...Living in Tampa, I still can't buy into the concept... Knowing what the Rays have done in the past (not a lot, besides failing spectacularly). But to give a scouting report - an aloof one at that -- the Rays have been winning games in a decidedly NL fashion. strong pitching, small ball offense... It's a breath of fresh air after having to endure 10 seasons of homer-happy-but-never-a-safe-lead AL slug fests. __________________ The more they over think the plumbing, the easier to stop up the drain.

05-16-2008, 12:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	No problem, Kodiak. Nice chang eof pace being able to actually discuss a game with someoen for a change. Just a heads up -- Rays pitchers have been taking Batting practice for a few weeks now in prep. for the series. of course, that isn't to suggest that they are suddenly formidable, just a suggestion not to be toos urprised if they actually take their plate appearances seriously. __________________ The more they over think the plumbing, the easier to stop up the drain.

05-16-2008, 05:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,731	Just a heads up - Izzy is gone for the series. We got a shot at shutting the door late in game and winning a few now. GO PEREZ GO! __________________ "Build it and they will come"

05-16-2008, 06:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,731	Getting ready to head down to the park in about 30 minutes. I'd look for Perez to pitch in the 6-8th inning(s) his first time out. Wouldn't surprise me if he's moved into the closer role by the time they return next weekend. As Crash Davis said "Bring the heat, Meat". __________________ "Build it and they will come"

05-16-2008, 12:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 697	Hey John, thanks for stopping by! Tampa bay has been the story of the season, so far, for me. Its pretty amazing that they are doing so well in that division. Hopefully they keep it up. The way we've been playing, that may not be too hard. Anyway, lets hope the Loop-man can put us back on track tonight.

05-16-2008, 05:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
tulcard Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 737	I have no question whether or not TLR will throw Perez into the fire immediately....just whether he'll put him in the closer role or in middle relief at first. Going to the game Bleacher?....if so please bring Home a Winner!!....

05-16-2008, 08:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
tulcard Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 737	Thus far Looper is not sharp....Tampa Bay leads 1-0 here in the top of the 3rd....2 runners on with none out.....hopefully Looper can get out of this and settle in....and the offense figures out their righthander....

05-16-2008, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
tulcard Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 737	Chris Perez' debut was successful in the 7th; no hits, no runs and was able to record his first ML strikeout....Parisi threw a scoreless 8th so I would assume Lohse will be pitching on Sunday.... Duncan gets us a bit closer w/ his 4th HR of the year in the 8th....Cards trail 3-1 heading to the 9th....

05-16-2008, 10:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
tulcard Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 737	Tampa Bay starter Sonnenstine kept our hitters off balance all night and their defense was outstanding as they take game one 3-1.... Back at the 'ole ballpark tomorrow to even things up....

05-16-2008, 11:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 697	Great pitching from Tampa, their starter hardly threw a ball. Looper pitched decently and once again raised his batting average. Must.....get.....wins.

05-17-2008, 12:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
Coop Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Memphis Posts: 3,220	Recaps STLtoday - Rays stymie Cards — and Pujols The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: St. Louis Cardinals News

05-17-2008, 11:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Warned you guys about pitchers taking batting practice seriously. Sonny was 2-3. Anyone ont he Cards voice anything regarding his delivery? __________________ The more they over think the plumbing, the easier to stop up the drain.