Carpenter and Cards take 2-1 lead in series

BTW, what was the brown mark on Carpenters pitching hand? Just KIDDING! Scheesh!

posted by commander cody at 12:15 AM - reply - flag:

I kind of hope the Tigers don't win it now just because it will help to void the entire SmudgeGate crap. And I like the pitching duels.

posted by fenriq at 12:21 AM - reply - flag:

The only reason SmudgeGate is still around is because the media wants it around. Rogers still pitched a gem after he washed his hand, so it should be over. Damn you, Carpenter!

posted by wingnut4life at 05:05 AM - reply - flag:

Zzzzzzzzzzz. Oh, wait, I'm sorry, must have nodded off. I'm all for good pitching, but so far this series has done nothing to keep me from drifting off at night. There's still a chance that could all change, but man, it's been mainly about a starter shutting down the other team and that other team not making a charge. It would help if the games would start prior to 8:30, especially since the temperature keeps dipping lower and lower. I'm hoping I can see both teams show up hitting the same game before the series is over, and maybe an exciting 8th and 9th inning thrown in there.

posted by dyams at 07:17 AM - reply - flag:

Yeah - that game was very yawn. Though I admire the fact that a Tigers fan posted the result without editorializing. Good karma there.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:56 AM - reply - flag:

Zzzzzzzz. You might have slept through it but both game 1 and game 2 had exciting 9th innnings. A well placed hit in either inning could have tied or won the game for the eventual loser. Well pitched games but still exciting.

posted by rchugh at 08:08 AM - reply - flag:

This series reminds me of the Orioles and Phillies in '84 (I think). Both teams barely hit over .200. This is what I hate about the World Series. Both teams get conservative. If the pitching was this good during the regular season, they would have won their divisions by 25 game.

posted by dbt302 at 08:15 AM - reply - flag:

So is Game 3 really the calm before the storm? Especially if the Series reaches Game 6 when "Dirtgate" Rogers is scheduled to start. If the Tigers are going to have any shot to win this thing, they're going to have to deal with the aftermath of that little incident from Sunday night. I think we're all in agreement here: this series is far from over. dbt, you almost got it right. Orioles and Phillies was 1983.

posted by NerfballPro at 08:22 AM - reply - flag:

PANIC IN TIGER TOWN! PANIC IN TIGER TOWN!! All I can say is if Granderson, Polanco, and Pudge don't get it going it'll be over, and St.Louis will be scheduling the parade Thursday Night. Actually, that game was closer than it looked, but the defense, like game 1, was terrible. Plays like the Inge errors in game 1 and Zumaya's last night kills any chance you might have to come back. I'm not going to take anything away from Carpenter's game, but a 2-0 game is much easier to get back into. I'm a huge Tiger fan, but I'm not getting that warm fuzzy feeling about this one. I think the magic potion might have run out. GO GET 'EM TIGERS!!!

posted by sydney2006 at 08:35 AM - reply - flag:

If the pitching was this good during the regular season, they would have won their divisions by 25 game. Both teams did have substantial leads in their respective divisions until late season slumps, coupled with surges by desperate teams behind them, narrowed the gap (and in the Tigers' case, closed it altogether). And the teams that were battling them had very good pitching, too. That said, the Cardinals pitching is not as good as it's been. It helps when the batters are trying to get loose in the box in 43 degree (F) weather.

posted by BullpenPro at 09:50 AM - reply - flag:

I've been trying to figure out the Tigers poor performance so far , and it came to me about the ninth inning last night. Ex-Cub factor has reared its ugly head! Poor fielding, throwing to the wrong base, interferring with base runners, swinging at the first pitch. The Tigers are playing so badly I thought I was actually watching a Cub game.

posted by americanleague at 10:10 AM - reply - flag:

dbt302- You're remembering 1983.

posted by rabi at 10:34 AM - reply - flag:

It would help if the games would start prior to 8:30, Last nights game started at 7:30.....Oh wait! There is no other time zone than eastern. lol I just want some one to win it quickly just to shut McCarvers freakin' mouth. Go Redbirds.

posted by budman13 at 10:45 AM - reply - flag:

The only reason SmudgeGate is still around is because the media wants it around. Rogers still pitched a gem after he washed his hand, so it should be over. You Tigers fans are persistent, and not very original.

posted by tron7 at 10:46 AM - reply - flag:

You Tigers fans are persistent, and not very original. But that doesn't make them wrong.

posted by dfleming at 11:07 AM - reply - flag:

My Tigers just plain got spanked and that happens sometimes. That said they really did beat themselves. Yes Carpenter pitched a good (not great, but good) game, but as americanleague pointed out, the Tiger's flamethowers pitchers showed their weakness, they can't field to save the game or their lives. That just shows another reason why Kenny Rogers is still so good. Not only is his pitching still right up there with the kids, but his Gold Glove still works.

posted by commander cody at 11:22 AM - reply - flag:

Last nights game started at 7:30.....Oh wait! There is no other time zone than eastern. lol No shit. My point was that a series between the Cardinals and Tigers will probably draw only minimal geographic ratings in the far west. The true baseball fans will tune in no matter when it's broadcast. The games are scheduled at the time they are to benefit from prime-time bucks, period. In the meantime you've got near-winter type conditions that, believe it or not, don't improve as midnight approaches, and also fans in the areas these teams come from having to sit in the stands until early morning. Maybe most of you are too young to remember when there were afternoon World Series games played, and do you know what? People still watched. Don't let network greed dupe you into believing these starting times are due to anything but money. Pretty soon Polanco will show up on the field wearing a down coat and snow pants in an effort to stay warm.

posted by dyams at 11:58 AM - reply - flag:

Pine tar or No Pine Tar, Kenny Rogers is an above average pitcher that tends to be very streaky. So if he gets racked next time out it may not be the lack of pine tar or other "help."

posted by daddisamm at 11:59 AM - reply - flag:

Smudge Gate is that one little "story" that is being used by FOX and ESPN to create some excitement in the Yankee/Red Sox less World Serious! You knew that they would have found something. Kenny Rogers actually did them a favor.

posted by daddisamm at 12:06 PM - reply - flag:

Lighten up dyams. I do indeed miss day games. I can remember going out into the hallway at school and watching the '64 series.

posted by budman13 at 12:56 PM - reply - flag:

This game was the highlight of the series so far. It was great to watch Trinity High's (Manchester, NH) very own Chris Carpenter put in what has to be described as an excellent night's work. Give the Tigers batters all the excuses you want, Carpenter shut them down. A lot of people commenting on World Series threads on SpoFi seem ready to give Kenny Rogers credit for his admittedly excellent post-season performances, but few seem willing to do the same for Carpenter, Suppan, etc. My only rooting interest in the series is Chris Carpenter, because of where he's from. Other than that, I'm enjoying watching what is for the most part a very interesting series. Even Buck and McCarver's best efforts haven't turned me completely off yet.

posted by Howard_T at 01:17 PM - reply - flag:

I can remember going out into the hallway at school and watching the '64 series. Dad?

posted by jerseygirl at 01:29 PM - reply - flag:

Dad? Beautiful!

posted by dyams at 01:34 PM - reply - flag:

Kenny Rogers is an above average pitcher that tends to be very streaky. Slightly above-average is more like it. Career ERA+: 110. Career post-season ERA in 10 games, 6 starts: 6.43.

posted by yerfatma at 01:40 PM - reply - flag:

Career post-season ERA in 10 games, 6 starts: 6.43. [Note: includes this year's ALDS, but not the LCS or WS appearances.]

posted by BullpenPro at 01:43 PM - reply - flag:

Compare his career (regular season) stats to Orel Hershiser's, I think you will be very surprised, not only by how similar they are, but also how many categories KR is better in.

posted by mjkredliner at 01:54 PM - reply - flag:

But the Bulldog actually has a ring. I still can't believe when he pitched games one and three of the NLCS in 88 and got the save in game four. How many pitchers pitch again on three days rest, then come in from the bullpen the next game? Sure, he received no decision in games one and three and his team lost both games...

posted by igottheblues at 02:06 PM - reply - flag:

Zzzzzzzzzzz. Oh, wait, I'm sorry, must have nodded off. I'm all for good pitching, but so far this series has done nothing to keep me from drifting off at night. Yes, dyams, good pitching must be somewhat foreign to Yankees fans lately. What you are watching is great pitching, and it is as exciting to me as a juiced Giambi jacking one 500 ft must be for you.

posted by smithnyiu at 02:12 PM - reply - flag:

I just want some one to win it quickly just to shut McCarvers freakin' mouth Thank you, I agree that FOX is blowing the coverage with outlandish ammounts of repetition and dead air (yes, more so than the average baseball telecast), although they are doing an above average job of selling every portion of the broadcast to advertisers. As a former ad guy I am actually in awe and pissed I didn't get my free taco today. As a Tiger fan, could Fox have brought in a more lopsided crew of announcers. Let's see, take the St. Louis born son of the most famous broadcaster in Cardinal's history and pair him with a former player who spent the first decade of his career in ... St. Louis. Maybe if FOX could have resurrected Stan the Man from the grave they could have completed their Cards bias and promoted the upcoming Simpson's Treehouse of Horrors.

posted by gradys_kitchen at 02:18 PM - reply - flag:

As a Tiger fan, could Fox have brought in a more lopsided crew of announcers. Let's see, take the St. Louis born son of the most famous broadcaster in Cardinal's history and pair him with a former player who spent the first decade of his career in ... St. Louis. Maybe if FOX could have resurrected Stan the Man from the grave they could have completed their Cards bias and promoted the upcoming Simpson's Treehouse of Horrors. Every year pal. They are there every year. And St. Louis fans are just as unhappy about it as you are.

posted by lou at 02:30 PM - reply - flag:

I can remember going out into the hallway at school and watching the '64 series Your school was in a baseball stadium? Cool.

posted by owlhouse at 02:46 PM - reply - flag:

Maybe if FOX could have resurrected Stan the Man from the grave they could have completed their Cards bias and promoted the upcoming Simpson's Treehouse of Horrors. For those Cardinal fans who haven't taken breath in almost an hour, no, Stan Musial is not dead. Owlhouse, that's the second thing in a row I've read from you that made me laugh out loud. Cut it out.

posted by BullpenPro at 03:11 PM - reply - flag:

I am embarrassed. Please replace Musial w/Enos Slaughter. This is even a better tie in with FOX's Halloween programming.

posted by gradys_kitchen at 03:22 PM - reply - flag:

As a Tiger fan, could Fox have brought in a more lopsided crew of announcers. Amen. Sure would be nice to hear George Kell or Al Kaline on there. Just to give it balance and to lift up the quality...a lot!

posted by commander cody at 03:44 PM - reply - flag:

"The Simpson's Treehouse of Horrors is putting the 'laughter' back in 'Slaughter.' Make a mad dash for the television Sunday at 8."

posted by BullpenPro at 03:46 PM - reply - flag:

How much are the Tigers paying Ivan Rodriguez again? It sure as hell would be nice if the guy could get a hit or two. Maybe it's a Rodriguez curse...

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:59 PM - reply - flag:

Yeah, it's such a curse to win the Pennant. I see what you mean. Bench his ass.

posted by smithnyiu at 04:57 PM - reply - flag:

Sure it would be nice if he got some hits, but considering the smack he took under the cup from that foul tip yesterday I'd say he earned a nice chunk of change right there. I still cringe thinking about it.

posted by commander cody at 05:03 PM - reply - flag:

...considering the smack he took under the cup from that foul tip... It's never a good sign when your cup gets more action than your bat.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 05:30 PM - reply - flag:

What's really sad is that his cup probably gets more action then I do.....wah....wah....wah..... Damn you Rodriguezs' cup!

posted by commander cody at 05:50 PM - reply - flag:

Your school was in a baseball stadium? Yes it was and as a 3rd grader I was happy that it was between the beer stand and the bathroom.

posted by budman13 at 05:53 PM - reply - flag:

What you are watching is great pitching That could very well be. Or it may be slumping hitters flashing back to the final week of the regular season when Kansas City's great pitching swept Detroit into the wild card.

posted by dyams at 05:54 PM - reply - flag:

Good point. But I think they probably remember better the next series, when they pounded the Yankee pitching like April BP.

posted by smithnyiu at 06:22 PM - reply - flag:

They'll win the series. That pitching staff is pitching great. The Tigers are having problems hitting and It doesn't look like it's gonna get better anytime soon.

posted by yachts360 at 06:25 PM - reply - flag:

What you are watching is great pitching That claim sure seems to be showing up in October a lot lately. An article on the influence of temperature on baseball performance. Cold weather seems to increase strikeouts AND walks, and reduce home runs and base hits among balls hit in play. For a team like the Tigers that isn't very patient (their .329 OBP in 2006 was 24th in the majors, despite a .274 team BA), the walks become less of a factor. In fact, last night the Cardinals took 8 walks while the Bengals... uh... well, they didn't walk. They have only walked three times in the three games. (Tonight -- or whenever Game 4 gets played -- should be interesting in this regard, because Jeff Suppan gives up a lot of walks generally; top 20 in the NL in 2006). Anyway: Impatient team + temp that decreases hits and homers + temp that increases strikeouts + pitchers cheating (heh... oh, yeah... I went there) = GREAT pitching performances The Cardinals are outhitting the Tigers in the first three games 19-17. There have been 8 errors total in the Series. There have been 16 walks. Overall, there just hasn't -- YET -- been anything really remarkable or memorable about this series if you don't have a rooting interest. But I think they probably remember better the next series, when they pounded the Yankee pitching like April BP. Your attacking the Yankees like Dyams is the only fan in the room. I'm sure there are plenty of other Red Sox fans here who would like you to shut the hell up before they have to be reminded of that club's failures this season. Ya folla'?

posted by BullpenPro at 07:10 PM - reply - flag:

Bullpen, I wasn't attacking Dyams because he's a Yankee fan. I was a little annoyed to hear (again and again) how bored people are by great pitching. You can give all the stats you want about temp and what kind of socks they are wearing, or what they had for breakfast, but the fact remains that Carpenter and KR are two elite pitchers that just threw two GREAT games. Is heart a stat? Second, I was counterpunching Dyams with his rationale that being swept by Kansas City made Detroit somehow miss that last revolution of Carpenter's slider. Third, I could give a crap less about the Red Sox's failures this year. When did I ever say anything about them? They were out of the race when the Yankees swept them months ago, and it didn't really bother me. I am just enjoying watching greatness, in any form it takes. If it were Randy Johnson throwing darts right now, or Wang, I would appreciate that, and I will always open my big hole when I hear someone that doesn't. I do apologize if I gave off the stench of the Red Sox / Yankee mindless hatred. That's not what I'm about. Peace

posted by smithnyiu at 07:38 PM - reply - flag:

Peace Of all the things you said, I easily agreed with this one the most. Peace it is.

posted by BullpenPro at 07:50 PM - reply - flag:

I am just enjoying watching greatness, in any form it takes. It is The World Series, and the last chance for baseball this year. How can we not enjoy it?

posted by mjkredliner at 08:24 PM - reply - flag:

How can we not enjoy it? Well, here's one way.

posted by BullpenPro at 09:57 PM - reply - flag:

Cold weather seems to increase strikeouts AND walks, and reduce home runs and base hits among balls hit in play. You'd think batters would swing at the plate more just to stay warm.

posted by NerfballPro at 10:33 PM - reply - flag:

By the way, did anyone else hear that today was the 20th anniversery of that fateful 6th game of the '86 series and Billy's famous gaffe? I still feel bad for him...

posted by mjkredliner at 10:54 PM - reply - flag:

I think they could avoid the whole weather problem by just moving the rest of the games out here to L.A. The weathers great and then I'd get a chance to see my Tigers play!

posted by commander cody at 10:58 PM - reply - flag:

Tell Granderson to put the eye black back on, and he'll start hitting again. Tell Pudge to stop stressing, and he'll get a hit. Tell Maggs to pretend it's the bottom of the 9th and there are two men on base. Tell Nate Dawg to start his Gum Time rally in the first inning. Pretend like we're the underdogs. Tigers in six.

posted by wingnut4life at 01:00 AM - reply - flag:

Tigers take next 3 in a row. Still say Rogers for MVP.

posted by commander cody at 01:04 AM - reply - flag:

Rogers for MVP. Not a chance. They've killed Kenny. Bastards.

posted by mjkredliner at 07:49 AM - reply - flag:

By the way, did anyone else hear that today was the 20th anniversery of that fateful 6th game of the '86 series and Billy's famous gaffe? It was indeed yesterday. If anyone feels the need to celebrate, go to the very end of this.

posted by Howard_T at 11:24 AM - reply - flag:

If harry caray's restaurant can root for the cards I might have to bite my lip a little bit but I don't care if the cards win anyhow other than a few players on the tigers I don't know the names of them may god strike me down with lightning when I write this GO CARDINALS

posted by luther70 at 12:26 PM - reply - flag:

Howard, that's not a link to a short pier. I don't get it. If harry caray's restaurant can root for the cards Harry did get started as the Cards announcer.

posted by yerfatma at 12:33 PM - reply - flag:

Yerfatma, Don't bother to read the article, just play the video clip at the end. By the way, I couldn't finish it; I was getting ill.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

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