The Struggle

There’s no doubt about it – the Redbirds are struggling right now.  Not “it’s time to hit the panic button struggling,” but struggling nonetheless.  No matter what they do these days, they seem to fall just a bit short.  And it’s frustrating to watch.

Yesterday, they were foiled by good defense and Stanton’s 2 homers to lose by a run.  Today, a decent outing by Wainwright is spoiled, as they get shutout.  Adams, is slumping big time and struck out to end 2 games in a row.  It’s frustrating.

I have to remind myself that back in 2006 the Cardinals did everything they could to not make the postseason before catching fire and winning it all.  The main difference this time is not having that big bat that you know is just going to come through.  For years it was Albert and even last year Beltran always seemed like a sure thing.  Holliday has been on a tear, but he’s such a streaky hitter that you never know how long that will last.  Taveraz hasn’t materialized into that big power bat yet either.

Once again, as I mentioned in a previous post, as a normal bench player (Mark Ellis) got the start, he went 2 for 3.  But ask him to get a hit of the bench?  Impossible.  The same as been true for Descalso, Jay, when he was hitting off the bench and so many others.

Bad mangerial move of the day: putting in Adams to pinch-hit for Taveras.

There’s two problems with this.  You say you’re giving Adams a “mental and physical break,” by giving him a day off.  He got the physical break, but not the mental one.  In fact, it was probably made worse.  He had already struck out to end the game the day before.  So basically unless he homers, you are setting him up to fail again.  It doesn’t matter that he had no control of the rest of the game.  What he’s going to be thinking about tonight was ending two games in a row via the K.

The second problem is Taveras.  Both he and Adams are left hitters.  So by subtituting one lefty for another, you are flat out telling Taveras, you don’t have the confidence in him coming through in a big situation.  And of course, we don’t, but don’t tell him that!  There’s no other explanation for that move unless you think Adams is more likely to get the big hit.

Every game I think, maybe this is when they break out of their slump.  But it just hasn’t been happening.  And unless something magical happens, I’m just not having my normal confidence in this team making a long post-season run.  At least without Wacha and Molina returning pronto.  Their hitting, their pitching has all been mediocre.  I’ll give them credit for their defense.

It just feels like the whole team has been in a funk and it’s time for them to snap out of it real fast!

 

Break the slump,

Tiffany

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