OT: Cardinals implode

[BU_EMT128]

The cardinals imploded in the 9th, with holiday missing a easy fly ball that would have evened up the series. Cardinals are down 0-2, and I feel this series is over after the Dodgers defeated the cardinals 1-2 punch of carpenter and wainwright.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=291008119

[Chico]

Why would LaRussa take Wainwright out when he had pitched so well for 8 innings? Seems like every manager in baseball has to over-manage.

[SFP]

Why would LaRussa take Wainwright out when he had pitched so well for 8 innings? Seems like every manager in baseball has to over-manage.

That is not why they lost IMO. Give any good team 4 outs and I'd expect them to do some damage in that situation.

[Chico]

That is not why they lost IMO. Give any good team 4 outs and I'd expect them to do some damage in that situation.

You're right. When I left my watering hole to go home, I thought the game would be over. Just found out what happened.

[BU_EMT128]

Yeah, still tore up about this one.. One strike away from pulling even in this series, now we need the back end of the starting rotation to pick it up substantially for 3 games in a row... And with the run support we have been getting, its not looking good.

The Cardinals have really shat the bed in this NLDS

[CubbieBear]

Wainright deserved better, and should have been allowed to continue by LaRussa IMO too...but in addition to the costly miscue by Holliday and Franklin's inability to close, some bad fundamental baseball factored in this debacle...Rasmus getting thrown out a 3rd, lazy passed ball by Molina that moved runners up... and then credit should be be given to Torre for pushing the right buttons in his bull pen, pinch running Pierre, and pinch hitting Loretta

[Murph]

[Chico]

Wainright deserved better, and should have been allowed to continue by LaRussa IMO too...but in addition to the costly miscue by Holliday and Franklin's inability to close, some bad fundamental baseball factored in this debacle...Rasmus getting thrown out a 3rd, lazy passed ball by Molina that moved runners up... and then credit should be be given to Torre for pushing the right buttons in his bull pen, pinch running Pierre, and pinch hitting Loretta

Not knocking Torre because he's been too successful, but I think you are giving him too much credit for pushing the right buttons. Pinch-running Pierre and having a pinch- hitter for the pitcher with 2 outs in the 9th, in that
situation were no brainers.

[Bradleyguy10]

Most people have said it...it's the little things. Colby being thrown trying to extend the hit to a triple and then lugo comes up and gets a hit..would've been another run. Holliday missing the 3rd out. Not to mention R. Franklin had the next TWO BATTERS at two strikes before walking the first and giving up the tying single. And again I'm with those who think Wainwright should've stayed in. What is the point of putting in Glaus to hit??? Adam Wainwright has a better batting average than Glaus and he pitches better than Franklin. LaRussa with one switch did two negatives on both offense and defense, unbelievable.

Colby should've scored.
Should've had more clutch hitting...they out hit them 10 to 5 or something.
Holliday should've caught the ball.
Franklin should've done his job after the miss.
LaRussa should've gone with his ace who was only at 108 pitches..easily had 20 more in him.

The only hope that I have is if we win this 3rd game..maybe LaRussa will put in Carp for the 4th game on short rest..and bring it back to LA with Wainwright again on FULL REST. Let's hope for the best. STL CAN sweep LA...with 2 of the 3 games being Carp and Waino again. This next one will be the absolute hardest.

Use Smoltz as the closer period.

[shaunguth]

Yeah, still tore up about this one..

Same here!

Just kept telling myself when Franklin came in for the 9th....."No baserunners!". I had very bad feelings once they did.

[Murph]

[Chico]

Where did you find the broom? Did the D'Backs from 2 years ago or the Dodgers from last year loan it to ya?

[CubbieBear]

Deadbirds fold like a cheap card table

[TNel]

Cardinals

It's all Tony's fault. Before post-season play, he should have named Michael Jordan Assistant Manager. He could have mentored the Redbirds on what it's like to be a good teammate, how to be competitive while still having a good time, how to be a WINNER. Just look at how he transformed that woeful bunch of losers on the President's Cup team. They couldn't have won it without him.

[Chico]

Deadbirds fold like a cheap card table

Must be something about the NL division they play in. Seems to happen every October, except at least once in awhile the "deadbirds" actually do make it to a World Series.