[ForlrnPerplxity]

2006 was honesty the most trying time I had watching a Cardinals regular season. And then the playoffs happened.

The 2004 and 2005 Cardinals were by far the most fun to watch of any team I've followed and then they don't close.

This year was back and forth. You can make a case that they were the best team outside of the Nationals in the NL, despite the win-loss record.

[Eich696]

Originally Posted by Recovery Room

Even if Stras pitched, Gio, Zim and EJ (who still would have pitched) have all sucked.

Such a stupid argument.

If you think Strasburg sitting on the bench for the playoffs doesn't play a factor you're crazy.

[Eich696]

Originally Posted by ForlrnPerplxity

2006 was honesty the most trying time I had watching a Cardinals regular season. And then the playoffs happened.

The 2004 and 2005 Cardinals were by far the most fun to watch of any team I've followed and then they don't close.

This year was back and forth. You can make a case that they were the best team outside of the Nationals in the NL, despite the win-loss record.

Yup. They have such a solid team. I hate to admit it, but it's true.

[Drew Beringer]

Originally Posted by Eich696

If you think Strasburg sitting on the bench for the playoffs doesn't play a factor you're crazy.

so much this. I knew this would happen. The Nats could have Strasburg out there giving the team confidence they can win instead of having some Detwiler dude out there.

[Recovery Room]

Originally Posted by Eich696

If you think Strasburg sitting on the bench for the playoffs doesn't play a factor you're crazy.

There's no way to know, that for sure. He was tipping pitches his last few starts and it's not like he doesn't get emotional and rocked from time to time. All starters so far have been knocked around, fair to guess Stras would have been too.

Also, is Stras going to make up that run differential on offense as well? I know he's a good hitter and all, but I don't see him bringing in all those stranded base runners. I don't see him getting everyone not named Desmond and Zimmerman hitting.

[Eich696]

Originally Posted by Drew Beringer

so much this. I knew this would happen. The Nats could have Strasburg out there giving the team confidence they can win instead of having some Detwiler dude out there.

I don't get how you can say it doesn't change anything with a straight face. I know as a fan I am more confident with Cole Hamels pitching than Kyle Kendrick. I can't imagine how much it changes the players.

[Eich696]

Originally Posted by Recovery Room

There's no way to know, that for sure. He was tipping pitches his last few starts and it's not like he doesn't get emotional and rocked from time to time. All starters so far have been knocked around, fair to guess Stras would have been too.

Also, is Stras going to make up that run differential on offense as well? I know he's a good hitter and all, but I don't see him bringing in all those stranded base runners. I don't see him getting everyone not named Desmond and Zimmerman hitting.

Strasburg is the best pitcher in your rotation... How does it not change things? Substituting him for Det makes a big difference.

[Recovery Room]

Originally Posted by Drew Beringer

so much this. I knew this would happen. The Nats could have Strasburg out there giving the team confidence they can win instead of having some Detwiler dude out there.

What does that have to do with their ZERO runs today, though? Det was also one of their best pitchers in the second half of the season and down the stretch.

I love Stras and his potential, but it's not like his stuff would be guaranteed and isn't prone to getting lit up as well. Also, he would only cover ONE game. They haven't been good enough to win any (got lucky in Game 1) so it's all moot anyway.

I just don't think this was their year -- with Stras or not.

[Recovery Room]

Originally Posted by Eich696

Strasburg is the best pitcher in your rotation... How does it not change things? Substituting him for Det makes a big difference.

Go look at the numbers and see if he was the best pitcher. Will he be? More than likely, yes, but he wasn't this year. Up until now, they also did pretty damn well without him, no?

[Drew Beringer]

Originally Posted by Recovery Room

What does that have to do with their ZERO runs today, though? Det was also one of their best pitchers in the second half of the season and down the stretch.

I love Stras and his potential, but it's not like his stuff would be guaranteed and isn't prone to getting lit up as well. Also, he would only cover ONE game. They haven't been good enough to win any (got lucky in Game 1) so it's all moot anyway.

I just don't think this was their year -- with Stras or not.

right, so the offense was bad today, it happens. But getting down early like they did because of Edwin Jackson's awful pitching has a negative affect on the offense too, they start pressing. It's a totally different mindset going from "shit, we need to score 5 runs just to be in the game when Jackson is pitching" to "we only need 2 runs to win this game because we have Stras on the mound." Strasburg gives the other players around him confidence.

[Recovery Room]

Originally Posted by Drew Beringer

right, so the offense was bad today, it happens. But getting down early like they did because of Edwin Jackson's awful pitching has a negative affect on the offense too, they start pressing. It's a totally different mindset going from "shit, we need to score 5 runs just to be in the game when Jackson is pitching" to "we only need 2 runs to win this game because we have Stras on the mound." Strasburg gives the other players around him confidence.

That's a fair point.

But there's just no way to know either way.

Also, the real issue is that they let Teddy win too early, haha.

[Eich696]

Originally Posted by Recovery Room

Go look at the numbers and see if he was the best pitcher. Will he be? More than likely, yes, but he wasn't this year. Up until now, they also did pretty damn well without him, no?

I know Gio was the better pitcher this year, but Strasburg is the better pitcher of the two. He's your number one.

[Recovery Room]

Originally Posted by Eich696

I know Gio was the better pitcher this year, but Strasburg is the better pitcher of the two. He's your number one.

True.

And I don't mean to be snippy, just incredibly frustrated right now and torn, haha.

[whitelightning7]

Originally Posted by CubbyNick42

From 2000 to 2005, they won five of the six NL Central titles, averaged 96 wins, and won no titles. Then in '06, they won the World Series with 83 wins, 13th most in baseball. Last year, they won it with 90, tied for 8th most in baseball. This year, they won 88, tied for 11th most.

It's getting quite weird.

I'm a Cardinals fan, and this still blows my mind. We're just good at the right time I guess.

[Eich696]

Originally Posted by Recovery Room

True.

And I don't mean to be snippy, just incredibly frustrated right now and torn, haha.

It's fine. I just think having Strasburg puts the nats in a better position to win the series. That's all.