BBTF's Game Chatter Discussion :: NLCS Game 2: NL Wild Card Houston at NL Central Champion St. Louis, 8:05 PM ET on FOX

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Thursday, October 13, 2005

NLCS Game 2: NL Wild Card Houston at NL Central Champion St. Louis, 8:05 PM ET on FOX

R. Oswalt vs. M. Mulder
St. Louis leads, 1-0

A line drive off his pitching arm couldn’t slow down Mark Mulder last time. Can the Houston “offense”?

SG in ATL Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:47 AM | 119 comment(s)
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1. Joe Bivens, Ditch Digger Posted: October 13, 2005 at 02:05 PM (#1681752)

First!!

2. Dewitty_Pun Posted: October 13, 2005 at 03:11 PM (#1681868)

Hopefully, the Cardinals will win this game and series. They have a better chance at beating the Angels than the Astros do.

3. Halofan Posted: October 13, 2005 at 03:14 PM (#1681877)

Is Don Denkinger on the umpiring crew?

4. cardsfanboy Posted: October 13, 2005 at 05:50 PM (#1682339)

where is vaux????

5. Anonymous Observer Posted: October 13, 2005 at 05:58 PM (#1682349)

Will this chatter get more than 100 posts tonight?

My magic 8 ball says:

"Outlook not so good"

AO

6. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 06:49 PM (#1682410)

Will this chatter get more than 100 posts tonight?

My magic 8 ball says:

"Outlook not so good"

Well, I'm planning on getting loaded, that's always good for a few dozen posts

7. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: October 13, 2005 at 07:03 PM (#1682418)

Will this chatter get more than 100 posts tonight?

My magic 8 ball says:

"Outlook not so good"

AO

All you need is a controversial call!

8. Urban Faber Posted: October 13, 2005 at 07:05 PM (#1682420)

where is vaux????

His radar doesn't go off until the Astros get the leadoff man on in an inning.

9. pweber Posted: October 13, 2005 at 07:28 PM (#1682443)

I'll take the over since there is no ALCS game tonight--Shredder has to have something to watch.

10. Ivan Grushenko of HK in Tokyo Posted: October 13, 2005 at 07:48 PM (#1682458)

RB, do you still mix beer and cider?

11. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:08 PM (#1682483)

His radar doesn't go off until the Astros get the leadoff man on in an inning.

Well, that should be happening pretty soon...

12. Greg Franklin Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:13 PM (#1682487)

Lineups:

1 Craig Biggio, 2B David Eckstein, SS
2 Willy Taveras, CF Jim Edmonds, CF
3 Lance Berkman, 1B Albert Pujols, 1B
4 Morgan Ensberg, 3B Larry Walker, RF
5 Jason Lane, RF Reggie Sanders, LF
6 Chris Burke, LF Mark Grudzielanek, 2B
7 Adam Everett, SS Abraham O. Nunez, 3B
8 Brad Ausmus, C Yadier Molina, C
9 Roy Oswalt, P Mark Mulder, P</pre>

"O"? Oh.

13. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:33 PM (#1682497)

Whose fault is that? Pujols?

14. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:34 PM (#1682498)

The Astros will enjoy Mark Mulder tonight.

15. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:39 PM (#1682504)

Thanks, Vaux. that saved us.

16. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:43 PM (#1682505)

Berkman would not have made that play.

17. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:43 PM (#1682506)

I think if you had asked 1000 baseball fans about the Cardinals DP combo this year 996 would have said, "sure-handed, but limited".

Having seen approximately 27 Brewer mini-rallies short-circuited thanks to that DP combo I think a lot of folks were wrong.

There is something to be said for technical proficiency.

18. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:48 PM (#1682510)

Very true, Harvey. However, the Cardinals pitchers also generate a lot of ground balls, which is why they get so many double plays. What's more, the Cardinals led the league in unearned runs.

19. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:54 PM (#1682512)

Yeah, because teams couldn't score against them in honest fashion. :)

What seems to be overlooked by all the experts is that the Cards won 100 games with a rotating roster. Folks mention it but don't UNDERSTAND it.

Just because they whup the bejeezus out of my hometown nine doesn't mean I don't recognize a great team. Some of Tony's best work.

Definitely one of the SMARTEST teams LaRussa has ever had. Baseball smarts that is.

20. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:57 PM (#1682517)

That was a sketchy call.

21. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 08:59 PM (#1682519)

This proves the need for instant replay in baseball :)

22. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:01 PM (#1682521)

I really don't think there was anything Nunez could do to make a faster tag. Edmonds could have gotten that ball out more quickly though.

23. AstrosFan Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:03 PM (#1682524)

The first inning corroborates the Astros strategy in this series. Eckstein trying to poke every pitch to right field so we pitch hard away (especially with two strikes). Edmonds struggling to pull the ball so pitch him away. Walker just plain struggling so pitch around him to get to get to Sanders. Thank goodness for Ausmus or we might not have a gameplan.

24. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:04 PM (#1682525)

Molina is terrible. Again.

25. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:10 PM (#1682530)

so pitch around him to get to get to Sanders

That worked well last inning, but not so good overall this post season.

26. Rough Carrigan Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:10 PM (#1682531)

"Listen, ump, when I invented this game I didn't intend on my players like Grudz getting called out on plays like that"

27. Rear Admiral Piazza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:10 PM (#1682532)

So how would Eddings have handled that situation?

28. Greg Franklin Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:11 PM (#1682533)

Good gravy, another umpiring controversy.

29. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:12 PM (#1682535)

Good inning for Oswalt.

30. Rear Admiral Piazza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:19 PM (#1682548)

This game seems to have brought out all the chatters

31. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:28 PM (#1682557)

Omar Moreno clearly left a strong impression on Phil if he thinks Willie Taveras is a worthy of regular status.

But if it gets Biggio out of center he does have some value.

32. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:29 PM (#1682558)

RB, do you still mix beer and cider?

Not so much since I got back from London. There's a place in NYC that make Snakebits (beer, cider & blackcurrent) but no where here, so far as I know

33. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:31 PM (#1682560)

Maybe the umps are doing some sort of slow-down strike? They sure are terrible this postseason.

34. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:34 PM (#1682561)

Nothing better than turning on the game and finding Scooter explaining a 12-to-6 curveball

35. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:36 PM (#1682566)

Scooter is the devil.

36. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:37 PM (#1682567)

This is the first tim eI've seen SCooter

I just fuond my new enemy in life.

37. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:42 PM (#1682570)

Scooter is the fourth-best talking baseball I've ever seen, and that's high praise. Also, he's NOT gay.

38. Sparkles Peterson Posted: October 13, 2005 at 09:46 PM (#1682575)

Why does Scooter get so much #### on this site? He's like the second most tolerable Fox baseball personality.

39. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:01 PM (#1682586)

He's like the second most tolerable Fox baseball personality.

In a world where that is considered praise, we are all losers.

40. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:05 PM (#1682589)

What's the most tolerable? Until recently, I'd have said Zelasko's fetus.

41. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:13 PM (#1682592)

It wouldn't be a Cardinals game without an unnecessary diving catch by Jim Edmonds.

42. ericr Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:13 PM (#1682593)

Dude loves to dive.

43. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:14 PM (#1682594)

Edmonds is fun to watch.

44. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:16 PM (#1682596)

That might have been the Cardinals chance. No way does Garner throw anyone but Lidge out there after Oswalt. Roy has to slog through two more innings before Lidge drops the hammer.

And this is why I don't like the idea of the Astros winning. They are so FLAWED. No bottom of the rotation, no middle relief, half the batting lineup is Triple A quality, and the bench is barren. I overstate to some degree for effect but this team has about five really good players. One position player (Berkman) three starters, and a relief stud. Ensberg? Bah, he will return to form next season.

That and Garner is just a Tony Robbins mini-Me.

Blech.........

45. Sparkles Peterson Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:17 PM (#1682598)

I suppose that dive wasn't necessary. He could well have let the ball fall in and the world would not have flown off its axis or anything. But since he had designs on making that catch, he dove for it.

46. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:22 PM (#1682599)

Pujols is funner to watch.

47. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:22 PM (#1682600)

Jesus freakin christ that ball was hit hard.

48. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:26 PM (#1682603)

Pujols HOF.

49. stubbyc Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:27 PM (#1682604)

Wow. Pujols is unbelievable.

50. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:28 PM (#1682605)

It wouldn't be a Cardinals game without an unnecessary diving catch by Jim Edmonds.

This is a sad statement. Can't one just enjoy baseball? Unnecessary?

Berkman is my favorite Astro, but the man walks and runs like a girl. He sort of sashays.

51. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:30 PM (#1682606)

Albert Pujols is quickly becoming my favorite non-Indian player.

52. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:30 PM (#1682607)

One thing I do wish Edmonds found necessary was swinging the bat, by the way. That K in the 5th was annoying -- he took two strikes that were called balls and then he took another strike on 3-2. I know Oswalt's tough, but at least look like you're trying.

53. ericr Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:31 PM (#1682608)

There are Indian players in Baseball?

54. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:33 PM (#1682609)

Chief Knockahoma

55. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:33 PM (#1682610)

Two run homer for Biggio here.

56. Bull Pain Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:33 PM (#1682611)

I couldn't help but think that we're looking at a modern-day Joe DiMaggio (at least offensively) in Pujols. Then I looked at his b-ref page. Turns out he's Pujols #1 comp through age 25. We're fortunate to get to see his talent.

57. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:33 PM (#1682612)

Berkman is my favorite Astro, but the man walks and runs like a girl.

That would explain the knee injury.

58. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:34 PM (#1682613)

Now the game's over.

59. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:37 PM (#1682615)

I thought the same on Edmonds, DTS. He was pretty damn lucky to get that far in the at bat without being rung up.

60. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:38 PM (#1682616)

This is a sad statement. Can't one just enjoy baseball? Unnecessary?

Sorry; you're right. I'm being really cynical here.

The first thing I think when I see an outfielder make a diving catch is, "if he had a decent break on that ball, he wouldn't have had to do that".

I've become automatically suspicious of diving catches, to the point where I wonder if certain outfielders adjust their break on balls on purpose to make that play, and it kills my enjoyment of the play.

61. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:40 PM (#1682621)

Berkman is my favorite Astro, but the man walks and runs like a girl. He sort of sashays.

This is a sad statement. Can't one just enjoy baseball? Like a girl?

62. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:43 PM (#1682624)

Oh crap, you get two strikes on Yadier Molina, and you can't put him away? Not a good sign.

63. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:46 PM (#1682628)

How can Lyons #### up a line from Bull Durham??? That's how bad he sucks, he cant get even that right!

64. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:48 PM (#1682630)

C'mon, Eckstein, I defended you all year from the unfair remarks of kevin.

Time to crap out.

You owe it to me.

65. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:49 PM (#1682632)

FWIW, I'm rooting for the Cards here, for the same reason as Harvey.

Nothing against baseball chick et al, but the Cardinals are just such a complete team. They outplayed Houston all season, somehow I think it unfair that they have to outplay them again.

66. mbd1mbd1 Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:52 PM (#1682634)

Dammit Jim

67. Rear Admiral Piazza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:53 PM (#1682635)

Good decision to keep your All Star Oswalt in there instead of bringing in the Rooster

68. stubbyc Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:53 PM (#1682636)

Oh crap, you get two strikes on Yadier Molina, and you can't put him away? Not a good sign.

I wouldn't be too worried. Molina's nearly impossible to strikeout.

69. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:54 PM (#1682637)

This is a sad statement. Can't one just enjoy baseball? Like a girl?

Berkman's girlness actually enhances my enjoyment of baseball.

70. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:55 PM (#1682638)

There is nobody on the Cards I root for, except Pujols. And Eckstein, but that is just to mess with kevin.

And I used to hate LaRussa, for no particular reason. But I give him a pass these days because of his work for dogs.

On the 'Stros, I root for Clemens, Bagwell, Biggio and Pettitte.

So I gotta go with Houston here.

71. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:55 PM (#1682639)

That's right... Morris in game three, so the Astros have a 2-1 series lead now.

72. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:55 PM (#1682641)

They outplayed Houston all season, somehow I think it unfair that they have to outplay them again.

Yeah well, how come no one liked that line of argument for the Yankees in 2004? Huh? Huh? Bunch of jerks.

(Just kidding)

73. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:56 PM (#1682642)

I am very concerned. I sure dont think the Cards can get more than one off Lidge, and I don't know that we can keep them scoreless.

74. villainx Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:56 PM (#1682643)

I'm rooting for the White Sox, so I'm rooting for the Stros.

Plus I'm not a Larussa fan.

Lyons laughs at his own jokes/analyses/comments, he sucks.

75. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:57 PM (#1682644)

And I used to hate LaRussa, for no particular reason. But I give him a pass these days because of his work for dogs.

That's one of the funnier things I've read in a while.

Morris in game three, so the Astros have a 2-1 series lead now.

Luckily for the Cardinals, the Astros still have to use their offense. That sort of evens game 3 out.

76. FredUD Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:58 PM (#1682645)

Lane is just not seeing the ball well at all. Garner needs to look at moving Ausmus up right now given his hot bat.

77. FredUD Posted: October 13, 2005 at 10:59 PM (#1682650)

Burke is absolutely on fire.

78. Sam M. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:00 PM (#1682651)

Sarah's husband does it again.

79. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:01 PM (#1682653)

There's a great picture of LaRussa with two puppies around a store (Famous-Barr) here. I have been meaning to take a camera to get a pic of them as I can't find it online.

80. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:02 PM (#1682655)

For the first time today, I'm starting to doubt that the Cardinals are going to win this game. They sure haven't played very sound baseball today and Pujols can't hit a two run homer leading off the 8th. Houston, we have a problem.

81. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:03 PM (#1682656)

And I used to hate LaRussa, for no particular reason. But I give him a pass these days because of his work for dogs.

I really like LaRussa as a manager, but I find it hard to sympathise with him personally. Vegetarian, animal rights, all that stuff - yeuch.

Burke is a berk.

82. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:03 PM (#1682657)

Yeah well, how come no one liked that line of argument for the Yankees in 2004?

I was probably the only non-Yankee fan rooting for the Yankees last season.

That's how much I hate the Wild Card.

83. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:03 PM (#1682658)

That's one of the funnier things I've read in a while.

But I was being semi-serious!

84. Sparkles Peterson Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:04 PM (#1682659)

That was not very graceful.

85. The Mexicoan George Jefferson(Sheriff Blalock) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:04 PM (#1682660)

####### ###### bullpen hell piece of #### suckass ########## mother ###### bastards

86. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:04 PM (#1682661)

In my 50 years,

I've met a lot of dogs.

I've met a lot of people.

One the whole, I liked the dogs better.

87. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:04 PM (#1682663)

Now the series looks to be over.

88. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:04 PM (#1682664)

Sarah's husband does it again.

I was discussing this series with someone the other day and actually called Burke "Sarah's husband" to much bafflement and then mockery on the part of my friend

89. Gold Star for Robot Boy Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:05 PM (#1682665)

Reggie fall down go boom.

90. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:05 PM (#1682666)

ok, now I'm pretty sure the Cards aren't going to win today. Oh Reggie, you silly man.

91. Srul Itza Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:05 PM (#1682667)

When you are getting whipped by Chris Burke and Adam Everett, it is time to regroup.

92. AlouGoodbye Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:05 PM (#1682668)

Sanders gets injured on Thunderstick night.

How ironic.

93. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:06 PM (#1682669)

I just walked into the room, and it looked like Tony LaRussa was coming out to pitch.

I hope Sanders is okay.

94. Sam M. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:07 PM (#1682671)

called Burke "Sarah's husband" to much bafflement and then mockery on the part of my friend

Mockery??? Mockery!!??

Being a baseball hero is one thing. Being the spouse of a University of Louisville law student? Now, that's a REAL claim to fame.

95. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:07 PM (#1682672)

I like how they gave Everett a triple.

Oh, and earlier on the grounder to Eckstein that ate him. A single. Official scorers these days.... Major leaguers aren't even expected to make routine plays.

96. Sam M. Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:08 PM (#1682673)

Oh Reggie, you silly man.

You've gotta give him this much: that wasn't a play you see everyday at the ol' ballyard.

97. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:08 PM (#1682675)

Now the series looks to be over.

Luckily for the Cardinals, the Astros still have to use their offense. Kind of levels the playing field.

98. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:09 PM (#1682677)

Mockery??? Mockery!!??

Being a baseball hero is one thing. Being the spouse of a University of Louisville law student? Now, that's a REAL claim to fame

Well, it wasn't so much mockery him of being Sarah's husband, it was more mockery that I would refer to him as such

99. DTS Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:10 PM (#1682678)

that wasn't a play you see everyday at the ol' ballyard.

Very true. Keeps us coming back for more.

100. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 13, 2005 at 11:12 PM (#1682679)

Is that stat about Lidge right? 4 for 79? 4 for 80 now? That can't be right. That's absurd

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NLCS Game 2: NL Wild Card Houston at NL Central Champion St. Louis, 8:05 PM ET on FOX

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