FanNation - The Republic of Sport

As I live, eat, and sleep Cardinal baseball this time of year, I'm going to try and give my impressions on the positives and negatives of most games.  I won't delude myself that I'll do every game, but 3 or 4 a week would be nice.  As for background, I am a diehard Cards fan born and raised in StL.  I do not live there any more, but follow the team daily through any means necessary.  I don't actually physically see most games, so I won't be commenting on many great fielding plays unless they make the highlight reel.  I should probably disclose that I have a visceral hatred for Tony LaRussa.  I have no interest in hearing how great he is in response to my posts.  You're not going to change my mind.  I'm not one of those Busch Light drinking JeffCo types who will keep yelling for Whitey to come back, but I'd be more than happy if old #11 became the manager instead.

So, here's my thoughts on the home opener, from the viewpoint of MLB Audio and Gamecast. 

Positives

1.  Pujols - Yeah, this is an easy one, I know.  But the guy starts the season with no real changes to last year's 4th place team and doesn't get down.  He just goes out and does his job going 3-4 with a walk. 

2.  Wainwright - Again, probably obvious.  But if your ace doesn't get off to a decent start, it can be a LONG year.  5.1 innings, 2 earned, 7 Ks.  He threw a lot of pitches, but certainly left the game in a seemingly winnable state.

3.  Schumaker - Went 1-1 off the bench with a steal.  Not sure at all why he's coming off the bench, but whatever.  The pitching coach ain't named Dave Schumaker, after all.

4.  The pitcher batted in the 9 hole.  Normally this should not be noted and praised in a Major League Baseball game.  But, look who you're dealing with and be thankful for the little things.

Negatives

1.  Motte - Can't really ignore this one.  He's supposed to be the new young fireballer who's going to make us forget about Izzy.  Unfortunately, he WAS Izzy.  Now I'm not going to get down on Motte too much.  Every closer blows saves.  Granted, you hate to see it in the home opener, but it happens.  But we can't really let the guy off the hook either.  4 earned in 1 inning with 1 K is just too reminiscent of last year's Major League leading blown save total to be ignored.

2. Handling of Motte - Here's the real blame on this issue - LaRussa.  I have no issue with him choosing Motte to be the closer or putting him in the game.  My issue is, why leave him in to die out there?  He gives up a leadoff double.  Fine, leave him in.  He gets two outs, leave him in.  But after the next single, double, and HBP, you don't consider pulling him?  Or after the bases clearing double?  Well the horse is gone, might as well leave the door open.    Is the goal to destroy his confidence so he loses his arm and you have a new center fielder in 7 years?  Who needs a farm system?  We can just destroy pitchers and turn them into outfielders!

3.  Cleanup - Even after the top of the 9^th, a little voice in each fan said, "well, we have the 2-3-4 hitters up next, maybe we can salvage this".  Then every one of us had that "OH ****!" moment where we realized that Khalil Greene was batting cleanup.  WHY?????  Your three outfielders today are Ankiel, Ludwick and Duncan!  I don't like Duncan at all, but at least he has pop occasionally! Your two best hitters are Albert and Ludwick and you separate them with a skinny SS with 84 career homers in 2,397 career at bats who hit .213 last year?  This is not freakin rocket science people.  You put speed and average in the 1 and 2 holes, power in the 3-4-5, and everybody else in 6-9.  This has been the formula for years for every team in baseball.  Looks like someone is CUI (Coaching Under the Influence) again. 

4.  MLB Audio - Sucked.  I heard, all told, about 2 innings between the stupid thing not loading and cutting out.  I guess for $15 a year I can't complain too much.  Try again tonight.