NLDS Gameday: Cardinals (0-1) at Phillies (1-0)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Sun, October 02, 2011 06:30 PM | Comments: 106
2011 Gameday, Posts, Video
St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (1-0)
Chris Carpenter, RHP (11-9, 3.45) vs. Cliff Lee, LHP (17-8, 2.40)
Time: 8:37, Citizens Bank Park
TV: TBS
Weather: Cloudy, 50
Media: Twitter and Facebook
Update, 8:07 pm: Game times have been announced for the remainder of the series.
- Game 3: 5:07 pm
- Game 4: 6:07 pm(or 8:07 if no other Game 4)
- Game 5: 8:37 pm
The Philadelphia Phillies fell to an early deficit in the first game of the National League Division Series, but one swing of that bat changed everything. Ryan Howard completely launched Kyle Lohse‘s offering into Citizen Bank Park’s right field second deck. Howard’s homer sparked the Phillies offense as the game became somewhat of a blowout. Roy Halladay made one bad pitch to Lance Berkman, but settled in to shut down the St. Louis Cardinals.
In Game 1, it took a few innings before the Phillies offense came to life, but today the Phillies need to come out swinging early. Two former Cy Young winners are on the mound, making arguably the best pitching matchup of the series. Because of these two starters, both teams are going to want to get on the board quickly.
When a team’s number two starter has a 2.40 earned run average, things must be pretty good. That’s exactly the case with the Phillies and Cliff Lee. Lee will seek to continue his postseason dominance as he is making his eleventh career postseason start. In the playoffs, Lee is 7-2 with a 2.13 ERA. He has been especially good in the Division Series, going 3-0 with a 1.11 ERA.
Chris Carpenter is no stranger to postseason play; he played a big role in the Cardinals’ 2006 World Series run. In nine postseason starts, Carpenter is 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA. Carpenter will be pitching on three days rest, something he has never done in his professional career. Carpenter is a veteran, but with his history of injuries and lack of experience on short rest, it will be interesting to see how he performs.
Ryan Howard had a big night last night, and the Phillies are hoping he can continue his success against his hometown team. Howard has a .360 average, 16 home runs, and a 1.185 OPS in 45 games against the Cardinals. Howard is only 2-for-9 in his career against Carpenter, but one of those hits is a home run. In his career in the postseason, Howard has a .279 average and .915 OPS. The Big Piece will play a big role in what the Phillies offense does. Because of his success against the Cardinals, he is expected to shine in this series.
The Cardinals have their own well-established slugger. Albert Pujols had a “down year,” but batting .299 with 99 RBI is a career year for most players. Pujols has also had postseason success, hitting .322 with 13 home runs. Against Cliff Lee, Pujols is only 1-for-8 in his career.
Matt Holliday is once again out of the lineup for St. Louis with a hand injury.
Jimmy Rollins talks to the media prior to Game 2 and I asked him about the fans and what sort of role they play in helping the team:
Lineup:
Your gameday beer: Since it is the beginning of October, today’s gameday beer will be Sam Adams Octoberfest. “Here’s to a lengthy Octoberfest for the Phillies. Gan bei,” Michael Baumann said.
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 344 Morris Buttermaker
Ok guys, we got a game with the Cardinals tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Cardinals!
Posted: 06:56 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 2540 Chuck A.
The Phillies need to show the Eagles just how it’s done.
Posted: 07:07 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 344 Morris Buttermaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuULcVaMTf0
Posted: 07:49 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
Here we go!!!
Posted: 08:43 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Frank Riccard
Carpenter looks like garbage.
Posted: 08:57 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Looks liek pitching Carpenter on 3 days rest is about as smart as making your offensive line coach the defenive coordinator. WTF
Ive never been one to change up the routine that got you to that point. Never wanted to pitch guys on short rest.
New name for the firstbaseman.
6 RBIs
Posted: 09:08 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
First off. The Gmennnnn. Oh baby
Eagles suck
Hey dip syhit. How bout Raul you scuz
Posted: 09:10 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Mostone
@Andrew -
New name for the firstbaseman.
6 RBIs
Love it!
Posted: 09:12 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Dark
Rollins is looking really solid. Almost has two homers already.
Posted: 09:26 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
Is this sweet or what?
Drink up boys!!!!
Jimmy looks incredible so far, Carpenter looks like garbage
but, Pence hit a tough pitch – Howard gave that one a launch.
I did not go to yesterdays game but I watched highlights – the absolute roar when Howard hit that 3 run hr was deafening – wow
Posted: 09:33 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Maybe 6 RBIs was play possum all year.
everyone knew Phillies would have the best record. So he swings at crap pitches.
Now you can see the pitchers are trying to continue to get him out with the same crap pitches. And hes not swinging at them. So the pitchers are screwed.
Being selective now is like a double wammy cause tis not expected.
This team cant lose when they hit and score runs.
Posted: 09:34 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 100 buffy08210
I realize it’s a jinx to think this but the mind does wander to the Brewers….
Posted: 09:40 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Poly needs to be sent to a retirement village.
Posted: 09:50 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Mostone
@buffy – I know – it’s kind of hard not to go there…
Posted: 09:52 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Dark
Crap.
Posted: 10:00 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
The guy who used to host dance fever just got a hit?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deney_Terrio
Posted: 10:01 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Go away Buffy with your jinx crap you piece of
Posted: 10:03 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 100 buffy08210
That was a little harsh, don’t you think?
Posted: 12:00 AM on October 3, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
HOLY $HIT THAT WAS AMAZING!!!
RAUUUUUUUL!!!!
CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCHHH!
Posted: 10:04 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Ruiz is decent
Team MVP every year and can hit .000
I think he had a negative WAR this year again too. Go figure. He had a negative one the last time they won the world series too.
Posted: 10:04 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Mostone
Seriously – I’d like to throw an elbow right in that piece of crap John Jay’s face – actually I’d like to kick him in the teeth. That was dirty play in my book. He threw an elbow right in Chooch’s face.
Posted: 10:06 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Love u Lee but you are no Doc
Posted: 10:06 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Mostone
Did I just hear Tony LaRusa complain about Carpenter not getting the strike zone that Lee did? Are you kidding me? I am really starting to hate the Cardinals.
Posted: 10:11 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Ruiz who has been the most important player on a team thats manager is going to the hall of fame. Has a career WAR of 10.5. Piazza who sucked and never won anything and hurt every team he was on had a single season with a 10 WAR LOL
Yea thats a meaningless stat.
Ruiz will never get a vote for the hall of fame. And Piazza will go in.
I am always amazed how some do not understand the sport at all.
Posted: 10:13 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
I think the turning point in the game was Vic’s last at bat. Carpenter was clearly off his game, why swing at first pitch. The strike zone appeared to have shrunk in half for Cliff also. The question. Can the Phillies offense hit the bad Cardinals offense again?
Posted: 10:14 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Yes Larussa and his dutchy boy haircut is crying about the strike zone LOL
Posted: 10:15 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Did alby really complain about that k. Ball caught alot of the plate
Posted: 10:18 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
WOW! That was clearly a BALL! WTF!!!!
Posted: 10:22 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
Dirty play on Chooch – he tried to take his head off…
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Terrible call. Tony the only reason u won with As was because they were all on the juice
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
So the dope with the bad hair cries about the strike zone.
And magicly the Phils start getting bad calls.
Nice
Ive never like LaRussa. He thinks too much and costs his team games. Like Carpenter on short rest.
Charlie would never do that. Hes such a better manager. But its not known. LaRussa is a genius LOL not
Posted: 10:24 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
Where is Larussa complaining about the strike zone after Utley’s at bat?
Posted: 10:24 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/celebrity/sports/tony-larussa
nice. class guy
Posted: 10:27 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
Two scoreless/hitless innings against the Cardinals bullpen is kind of pathetic. Granted one of them should jar been a walk, but come on. Now we have to rely on the Phillies bullpen?
Posted: 10:31 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
I think Salas is their best bullpen guy, so I’m not that worried about it. He was their closer for most of the season and did an excellent job.
Posted: 10:33 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
And another BS call for Molina..
We need to start arguing. This ump totally bit*hed out after LaRussa talked to him.
Posted: 10:32 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
Hit this prick!
Posted: 10:34 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
UGH
Posted: 10:34 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
shit
Posted: 10:34 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Come on lee. A 4 run lead you putz
Posted: 10:37 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
At least Salis is gone. I think Lee is out as well.
Posted: 10:38 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1056 Manny
This ump sucks.
Posted: 10:41 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
Can the Phillies score against one o the worst bullpens in the league? Can the Phillies bullpen hold the cardinals high scoring offense? Honestly, I tend to doubt it. Especially considering they haven’t Had a baserunner in 2.1 innings.
Posted: 10:42 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
Salad WAS their best bullpen arm, then choked big time. Dotel is horrible. 13 straight retired? Unreal. I don’t think the Cardinals bullpen has retired 13 straight all season.
Posted: 10:48 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
I cannot believe Lee is still in there… Worley is warmed up
Posted: 10:50 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
Freaking iPhone with the auto correct. Should be Salas. But not sure why cliff is back out there with already over 100 pitches.
Posted: 10:51 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 1934 Brooks
Enough already????? Comon Cholly let us have a chance
Posted: 10:53 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Game over. Vic u suck and lee go back to texas
Posted: 10:53 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Mostone
Charlie – Come on, time to get him.
Posted: 10:54 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Trevor McFur
He didn’t put in Worley because the pitcher’s spot comes up in the bottom of the inning … bad, bad, move, Lee clearly doesn’t have it tonight, and up over 100 pitches. Fuuuucccckkkkk…..
Posted: 10:55 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Brian Sr of CO
We were just talking about Cholly not making stupid decisions? Thi was stupid. Way to go Cholly. Congratulations. Going to St Louis tied 1-1. Cholly need to stop watching the Eagles. How can the Phillies not even get a hit against the Cardinals bullpen?
Posted: 10:55 PM on October 2, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Just like the eagles. The cards are a better offense.
Posted: 10:55 PM on October 2, 2011