One Down, 29 More Blown Saves to Go…
…and that’s only if the 2009 lackluster beer-league softball team of a Cardinals bullpen wants to equal last year’s pathetic mark.
And let me tell ya, folks, they’re well on their way.
For if Opening Day is any indication as to what we Cardinal fans can expect this season, we are in for a long, painful, vomit-inducing ride.
In fact, I’m still cleaning up the mess I made yesterday.
Thank you, Jason Motte.
But more thanks to you, John Mozeliak, our miserly GM who spent the entire off-season ignoring the Cardinals’ biggest problem: the gaudy, bloody mess of a metastasizing bullpen.
Sure, having a healthy, strong, productive Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter in the rotation is great and all. And yes, we will take a lot of leads into the sixth inning; but unless we find a way to get Albert Pujols on the bump for the 7th, 8th and 9th, we are in line to fall apart every single night like Amy Winehouse at an open bar mixer.
In both cases, the result will be the same: lots and lots of puking.
And though I am impressed with Jason Motte’s blazing fastball, it’s not really all that impressive when that’s all he throws (that slider that doesn’t slide doesn’t count). I’m sure Jack Wilson was thinking the same thing when he sat back and ripped that game-winner.
Dear readers, if running a baseball organization was a democracy, the revolution would have long been over by now; and the ominous, towering, domineering statue of John Mozeliak would be lying in ruins.
Don’t hate me ‘cuz I’m right.
Peace,
Jeffy
That hurt and is probably a sign of things to come. That just further infuriates me to the point of kicking our GM right between the legs for his lack of urgency towards a closer in this year’s off-season / free agency period.
True dat, Tim. True dat.
–Jeff
Jeff – Start the revolution!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
That pumpkin pic is hilarious. So is “like Amy Winehouse at an open bar mixer.” Think of the great material the Cardinals are giving you for your stand-up act.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
That pumpkin pic is hilarious. So is “like Amy Winehouse at an open bar mixer.” Think of the great material the Cardinals are giving you for your stand-up act.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Julia — It’s already begun. I could use a northeastern lookout ready to make a midnight ride. You interested?
Jane — I’d rather have no material and a winner on the field– wait, no, what am I saying? You’re right. I’ll get what I can out of this.
–Jeff
Never mind ‘democracy’. If the Cards’ bullpen was a horse, it would have been put down immediately after Wilson trotted around to second. Ashhttp://ashleymarshall.mlblogs.com
Ash — Yes, and if it were a dog it’d be Old Yeller.
–Jeff
I loved the way this guy pitched during Spring Training. He almost had a Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn feel to him. He will get it together.
Last night was an excellent reality check for him. I still will keep him on my Fantasy team because I know it sometimes takes a rookie closer a few games to feel that they are safe with their job.
hopefully I am right here, because you do not want Trever Miller closing games. He is a lefty specialist, and that is it.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
RR — I hope you’re right, man. I don’t want Miller on the team period. But I’m not so sure about Motte. The man has one pitch. That’s it. They said he worked on a slider but it didn’t look very effective yesterday. How can someone be a closer with just one pitch that everyone’s sitting on? I mean, if he had Maddux-like location, then sure, but he doesn’t… like you said, he’s wild. Frustration is the new face of the Cardinals.
–Jeff
I don’t know what you’re talking about… I enjoyed the game 😉
http://eatsleepmlb.mlblogs.com
What do you think the odds are we see Perez by May 1st?
– Toby
http://welcometotheshow.mlblogs.com/
I think Perez will be up soon if Motte doesn’t get the job done. The Cards have a healthy starting rotation this year. The last thing they need is blown save after blown save.
Ron
http://strictlycubsbaseball.mlblogs.com/
If I was going crazy because of that performance, I can only imagine what you and the rest of the Cardinals fans were going through. Better luck today (I hope) or I fear for the mental stability of several people I know.
Jen
http://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com
You guys can have Matt Guerrier. No, really, you can have him.
-Erin
http://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com
Feel free to go out and try out Kyle Farnsworth! I’m sure all 7 KC fans will be happy to be rid of him.
http://newmexicanyanksfan.mlblogs.com
Feel free to go out and try out Kyle Farnsworth! I’m sure all 7 KC fans will be happy to be rid of him.
http://newmexicanyanksfan.mlblogs.com
Nice use of the word “metastasizing.” The good news is, there’s nobody on the Cardinals that you can plug into the closers role that will do as poorly as Fausto Carmona. I don’t think.
Jason
http://jmays.mlblogs.com
Nice use of the word “metastasizing.” The good news is, there’s nobody on the Cardinals that you can plug into the closers role that will do as poorly as Fausto Carmona. I don’t think.
Jason
http://jmays.mlblogs.com
That pumpkin was so uncalled for, lol.. but I sympathize.. actually, that’s a lie.. our closer doesn’t stink.. BUT the Yanks Opening Day was a downer as well. [-_-]
Good thing there’s 161 more.
– V [ http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com ]
That pumpkin was so uncalled for, lol.. but I sympathize.. actually, that’s a lie.. our closer doesn’t stink.. BUT the Yanks Opening Day was a downer as well. [-_-]
Good thing there’s 161 more.
– V [ http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com ]
Actually, just saw that your boys won numero dos so sweeet =)
– V [ http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com ]
How bout that Pujols. Heard at the ballpark today he had a nice jack. Last year it took him nine games to get a jack. Maybe the tides are turning…Can you feel it…
Tom
http://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com
Hey I can relate, 2008 was the year of Joe Borowski becoming Joe “Blownsaveski” Now he is retired and Wood hopefully gives us what we were missing, a true closer.
Aaron
http://mlbtribefan.mlblogs.com
Eatsleep — Did you enjoy last night’s romp too? 🙂
Toby — Very possible. Very, very possible. Sad thing is: He ain’t much better.
Ron — Right, so why doesn’t the front office address this?
Jen — Mental stability goes out the window once the season starts.
Erin — No thanks. Twinkies had nice walk-off last night though. Make you smile?
William — They have seven fans?
Jason — Patience my young paduwan. Patience.
V — I was cheering madly, alone, in my apartment. AP is the man.
Tom — AP not only hit a jack, but he reached second on a routine pop up that LaRoche dropped. Gamer indeed.
Aaron — We’ll take Wood if you don’t want him.
–Jeff
No, in fact I did not enjoy yesterday’s game. Thankfully it wasn’t on TV for me to watch and blacked out on MLB.TV so I didn’t have to witness the patheticness that is Ian Snell. Anyways, I have no idea what is up with Andy LaRoche. We all knew he was never going to be a gold glover or even one of the league’s better third basemen, but this is getting ridiculous. You can’t have 3 errors in 2 games… if he keeps this up he’s going to find the BENCH, and possibly a demotion in favor of our best defensive third baseman, Neil Walker.
http://eatsleepmlb.mlblogs.com
No, in fact I did not enjoy yesterday’s game. Thankfully it wasn’t on TV for me to watch and blacked out on MLB.TV so I didn’t have to witness the patheticness that is Ian Snell. Anyways, I have no idea what is up with Andy LaRoche. We all knew he was never going to be a gold glover or even one of the league’s better third basemen, but this is getting ridiculous. You can’t have 3 errors in 2 games… if he keeps this up he’s going to find the BENCH, and possibly a demotion in favor of our best defensive third baseman, Neil Walker.
http://eatsleepmlb.mlblogs.com
Hey Jeff
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. To answer your question, I don’t think it’s too early to bury Cliff Lee, and it has more to do with last year then this year. Someone else already posted a bunch of numbers under your comment to answer your question and rather than repeat them, I’ll just add that his BABIP and Strand rates screamed “lucky” last year and warned a serious regression was coming. Now those that took head of the warning and drafted Lee as their 3rd starter may be ok. But if you drafted him as your ace, well…..
I actually hope Lee comes around, just because I like seeing good pitching exist in the league and he was great last year. But I’m not holding out hope.
Thanks again.
– Toby
http://welcometotheshow.mlblogs.com/
My apologies, I meant to say his Flyball rate, not his BABIP. 1. I had the wrong player in mind. 2. I’m an idiot.
– Toby
Already getting down on Motte? Look at CC, Lincecum, Lyon, and other pitchers that are pretty decent, but blew on opening day. I see your point since last season the Cards struggled to find a safe closer after Izzy went down. Give him a few more games, at least I am, he’s on my fantasy team ;).
Jeff, I love that pumpkin photo! May I borrow it? The Nationals are one of my teams, so there’s no doubt that I’ll be feeling exactly like that pumpkin on a regular basis this season.
Shelley
http://diamonddiva.mlblogs.com/
Eatsleep — At this rate, Walker looks like he could be a Gold Glove winner compared to LaRoche (ahem, I mean, LaChoke)
Toby — No prob. Hey, Allen and I are a bunch of idiots, so you’ll fit right in! Thx for the info on Lee. I wasn’t too sure of him so I avoided him in the drafts.
nwest33 — Yes. Already getting down. And yes, it’s because of last year. I’ll give him a few more games… but that’s it.
–Jeff
Shelley — Haha. Yes. I ripped it off of someone else anyway. Maybe the Nats should use that as their new logo. It was more of the same today against the Fins. Yikes!
–Jeff
Jeff,
Grr why is Jason Motte doing badly? Excuse me while I go adjust my fantasy roster. Loved the last paragraph btw.
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com