NL Central Small Talk (men, cards, game, White Sox) - - Page 63 - City-Data Forum

malfunction · 08-08-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatTNGuy

For a while, I forgot about this Albert Pujols guy. When he breaks out of a slump, he does it in style. 4-5 with two homers (including a grand slam) and 5 RBI. Not bad.

Also, for what it's worth, Albert tied the NL record for grand slams in a season tonight (Ernie Banks had 5 in a season). Two more and he holds the record for both leagues.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals keep hanging on. I hope Pujols can get to 70 home runs and challenge McGwire's old records. You think he can do it?

ThatTNGuy · 08-08-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malfunction

Meanwhile, the Cardinals keep hanging on. I hope Pujols can get to 70 home runs and challenge McGwire's old records. You think he can do it?

Assuming you're talking about this year, I think it's highly unlikely. He was on pace for somewhere around 62 long balls before his post-All-Star break slump, and it looks like he's on pace for 52 as of right now. That would still be the highest total of his career, but he's going to have to ramp it up considerably if he even wants to get to 60.

I guess I'll still be happy to have him on the team if he doesn't break the record.

case44 · 08-10-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malfunction

Meanwhile, the Cardinals keep hanging on. I hope Pujols can get to 70 home runs and challenge McGwire's old records. You think he can do it?

I think TN has a point, mal, or else they'd have to schedule the Cards only against the Astros for the remainder of the season because Pujols feasts on the Astros' pitching like a ravenous wolf.

And speaking of the Astros' pitching, that was a whale of a game yesterday with a squeaker of a finish against the Brew Crew that gave me palpitations in the ninth. Both teams are now six back of the Cards, and St Louis is the hottest team right now.

ChiMack · 08-13-2009, 11:57 AM

once the cubs sale is done...jim hendry better improve his mistakes or he needs to go

Drover · 08-13-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiMack

once the cubs sale is done...jim hendry better improve his mistakes or he needs to go

The Cubs had some momentum going, but a big issue for them has been injuries. Ramirez re-injured his shoulder; Reed Johnson is on the DL; Soto just got back from his rehab assignment and is still rusty; and every one of our starting pitchers has been out with injuries at some point or another -- in fact, recently Zambrano, Demster and Lily were all injured at the same time. That's why they're tossing people like Marshall and Gorzelanny and Jeff "watch me try to fool you with another fastball right down the middle" Samarzidja out on the mound. And now Gorzelanny is injured too. We can't even keep our backup starters healthy.

big daryle · 08-14-2009, 05:06 AM

If the Cubs want to be in the playoffs, they had better get going. The Cardinals are rock solid, and it will probably take at least 93 wins for the Cubs to win the division title.

case44 · 08-14-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big daryle

If the Cubs want to be in the playoffs, they had better get going. The Cardinals are rock solid, and it will probably take at least 93 wins for the Cubs to win the division title.

I don't see the Cards letting up, and they pretty much have the inside track. Granted, there's more baseball to be played, but right now, this whole division has too many question marks. The Astros have not started to go on their annual second-half explosion, so instead, they are just stagnant right now in the standings playing Catch-22. The Cardinals have pitching and the 'Stros don't. Every time Houston wins, the Cards win, too, so we can't gain any ground.

ThatTNGuy · 08-17-2009, 11:03 PM

I thought Haeger was going to give us some trouble tonight (and he certainly pitched well), but thankfully, Albert and Ankiel were able to deliver some big hits.

I'm optimistic about the rest of the season.

jared422 · 08-18-2009, 10:22 AM

St. Louis will win the Central. I kept thinking that the Cubs might turn things around, but after watching last night's blown save by Gregg, I just can't see this team going on a run. The Cardinals are too good a team to blow this lead.

Drover · 08-18-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jared422

St. Louis will win the Central. I kept thinking that the Cubs might turn things around, but after watching last night's blown save by Gregg, I just can't see this team going on a run. The Cardinals are too good a team to blow this lead.

It's definitely time for the Cubs to re-evaluate the closer spot. That's the 3rd blown save (and I believe a blown tie game as well) from Gregg in 2 weeks.