RIP, St. Louis Cardinals' playoff hopes

[TheSportsPredictor]

A year ago today I pronounced the Braves dead (http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/26370/). Today, it's the Cardinals' turn.

Cardinals, you are now 8 games out of first and have the second-worst record in the National League. Your best pitcher, Chris Carpenter, will miss most of the season, if not all of it. The rest of your starting staff has combined for a 5.00+ ERA. You're also dealing with the distractions from the drunk-driving death of one of your relievers.

Last year you barely got into the playoffs, then surprised everyone by going all of the way. Be proud of that, because you are now finished.

 

[Chi City 81]

End well, their season will not.

 

[PhilaYank36]

Seriously, what are the odds that both Suppan AND Marquis would start both of their seasons out as well as what they have? But still, shame on Jocketty for not going after some more pitching or line-up protection for Pujols. I think the warranties for Edmonds and Rolen have expired a while ago.

 

[Oz]

End well, their season will not.

And that's perfectly fine with me.

 

[Write-brained]

End well, their season will not.

And that's perfectly fine with me.

Royals fans love company.

 

[doubledown68]

End well, their season will not.

And that's perfectly fine with me.

Royals fans love company.

Nope. Most of just can't ****ing stand St. Louis, and that was before LaRussa got there.

 

[Write-brained]

End well, their season will not.

And that's perfectly fine with me.

Royals fans love company.

Nope. Most of just can't ****ing stand St. Louis, and that was before LaRussa got there.

No ****. Herzog and LaRussa were winners.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

Only the Cardinals and Nationals have failed to score 100 runs so far this season. The Cardinals went into the day with just 87 runs scored this season. The Nationals went into today with 91. The Pirates went over 100 runs today.

Management could have re-signed Jeff Suppan but they didn't. Management could have foreseen the offense going completely in the tank this year but they did nothing about it. Seriously - did the Cardinals really think their aging players would be OK? Did they not see the perils of declining performance due to age? Their big move last offseason was re-signing Jim Edmonds (who is hitting just .200 with a lower slugging % than Adam Kennedy). And they gave him a 2-year contract even though he's 37 and there are a number of quality CF free agents this year (Ichro, A. Jones, T Hunter).

 

[Mayfly]

Of all teams did you have to pick the Cardinals to label RIP with the playoffs?

 

[Write-brained]

Of all teams did you have to pick the Cardinals to label RIP with the playoffs?

Too soon? :

 

[Mayfly]

Of all teams did you have to pick the Cardinals to label RIP with the playoffs?

Too soon? :

Maybe he could have thrown out the Devil Rays?

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

A World Series win is so damn tough . . . . it buys a franchise a lot of time. If the Dodgers ever manage to win the World Series again, I would gladly take five subsequent years of no playoffs.

In other words, I shed no tears for the Cards. And they need no tears.

 

[PhilaYank36]

Only the Cardinals and Nationals have failed to score 100 runs so far this season. The Cardinals went into the day with just 87 runs scored this season. The Nationals went into today with 91. The Pirates went over 100 runs today.

Management could have re-signed Jeff Suppan but they didn't. Management could have foreseen the offense going completely in the tank this year but they did nothing about it. Seriously - did the Cardinals really think their aging players would be OK? Did they not see the perils of declining performance due to age? Their big move last offseason was re-signing Jim Edmonds (who is hitting just .200 with a lower slugging % than Adam Kennedy). And they gave him a 2-year contract even though he's 37 and there are a number of quality CF free agents this year (Ichro, A. Jones, T Hunter).

Rick Ankiel -- yes, THAT Rick Ankiel -- is among one of the top power hitters in the PCL so far. Colby Rasmus seems to be a legit Major Leaguer. Other than that, bubkis. Who out of those three outfielders would be the most likely to sign with STL and who would fit in best?

 

[spnited]

Wow, TSP, it takes a genius to figure out this team is done when it's playing like ****, just had one guy kill himself and then lost it's best pitcher for at least three months

 

[doubledown68]

Cleveland has a baseball team? Uniforms and everything?

I didn't know they still had a team

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

A year ago today I pronounced the Braves dead (http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/26370/). Today, it's the Cardinals' turn.

Cardinals, you are now 8 games out of first and have the second-worst record in the National League. Your best pitcher, Chris Carpenter, will miss most of the season, if not all of it. The rest of your starting staff has combined for a 5.00+ ERA. You're also dealing with the distractions from the drunk-driving death of one of your relievers.

Last year you barely got into the playoffs, then surprised everyone by going all of the way. Be proud of that, because you are now finished.

I think that limb you just jumped onto could hold your prediction.... along with every member of every offensive line in the NFL.

 

[shotglass]

Wow, TSP, it takes a genius to figure out this team is done when it's playing like ****, just had one guy kill himself and then lost it's best pitcher for at least three months

And I'm sure you were the first to jump on him for the Braves' call last year. :

They still pissing in your corn flakes at the ol' desk?

 

[spnited]

Shot, my friend, the Cards announced Friday that Carpenter was out for three months ... two guys in our office who were more concerned with Rangers-Sabres than any baseball game said "The Cards season just ended"

Not like the great TSP is going out on a limb here.

 

[Armchair_QB]

This just breaks my heart...

 

[HejiraHenry]

TSP is correct about the Cardinals' prospects, but the RIP and death references coulda waited a few more days, At least.