Official Cardinals @ Pirates Series Thread

[bigboy1234]

@

Monday Day Game: Braden Looper vs. Ian Snell

Tuesday Night game: Blake Hawksworth vs. Tom Gorzelanny

Wednesday Day Game: Adam Wainwright vs. Paul Maholm


Some thoughts: Ian Snell was absolutely dominant in his first start this season, striking out 11 in his 7 innings. Hopefully our bats stay hot from the last game in Houston. Blake Hawksworth makes his first major league start on Tuesday, although unofficial yet, he is a 24 year old who used to be our top prospect, before injuries got to him the past 2 years. Still one of our top 5 prospects it'll be nice to see how he does.

[mizzoupacers]

Last time out Looper did fine for about five innings, then he ran out of gas. We'll see how he looks this time.

Looking forward to seeing what Hawksworth can do, but man does it suck not having Carpenter.

And I don't even pretend to hide my man-crush on Wainwright.

I'm hoping we can get two out of three before we come back home.

[bigboy1234]

Well, I just heard that Randy Keisler maybe starting Tuesday now, so oh well with that. I actually wanted to see Hawksworth pitch, damn.

[mizzoupacers]

BOO! I thought the coaching staff said that Hawksworth was the "sixth starter"...

WE WANT THE HAWK

[BuckFan25226]

Last time out Looper did fine for about five innings, then he ran out of gas. We'll see how he looks this time.

Looking forward to seeing what Hawksworth can do, but man does it suck not having Carpenter.

And I don't even pretend to hide my man-crush on Wainwright.

I'm hoping we can get two out of three before we come back home.

I've had one for him since he made Beltran look like a little leaguer.

[pacerfan]

Braden Looper deserves some props. Beautiful outing. One heck of a pick up, maybe?

I love this board. Out of touch Cardinals fan now knows there may be a Hawksworth in my future.

[mizzoupacers]

Here's a bit more on Hawksworth, pacerfan:

http://sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1174230

Bigboy knows a lot more about the minor leagues than I do, but I've at least seen Hawksworth pitch once--the Cardinals' exhibition game about ten days ago with Memphis, their top farm club, was televised, and Hawksworth started for Memphis. Looks to me like he's got fairly good stuff. But he made his first-ever start at Triple A yesterday. Sounds like the Cardinals aren't too interested in bringing him up right away, despite what Duncan said last week about him being the "sixth starter."

Keisler is starting against Pittsburgh today; I think it's official now. He is a thirty-year-old journeyman. Hope he does well. He had a pretty good spring, I think 0 runs allowed in seven or eight innings total.

[bigboy1234]

Maybe it was a good decision Hawk didn't pitch today, although I wanted it.

Last night in AAA, he pitched 5 innings, gave up 4 ER, 8 hits, and 1 walk, with only 2 strikeouts.

Looking at Keisler's stats from last year is really nothing too good, as a 30 year old in AAA, he put up a 3.83 ERA, WHIP of 1.49. Keisler's been in 7 different organizations in the past 6 seasons. As a major leaguer (scattered threw the past 6 years) he has an ERA of 6.82, with a WHIP of 1.74 in 113 IP.

[bigboy1234]

Scary first inning with Keisler, we'll see how he does the rest of the game, but it isn't looking promising.

[pacerfan]

Here's a bit more on Hawksworth, pacerfan:

Keisler is starting against Pittsburgh today; I think it's official now. He is a thirty-year-old journeyman. Hope he does well. He had a pretty good spring, I think 0 runs allowed in seven or eight innings total.

Thanks for helping me get up to speed. It'll take awhile for sure. I won't get too excited about Hawksworth yet.

This forum rocks. Last year I didn't know who Adam Wainwright was until I saw him pitch in the playoffs. Wonderful surprise, though.

Keisler came through last night like a champ, too, giving us six good innings. Didn't see the game as I'm still waiting on my cable company, and then bargaining with my wife, but at least he was able to get people out. That's the type of win that can make for a good season.

[bigboy1234]

Good comeback win, I can't believe Bennet scored on that shallow pop out. I guess thats why the Pirates haven't had a season over .500 since 1992.

Keisler looked a lot better after settling down after the first, and actually did pretty good.

[mizzoupacers]

I'm starting to think that our catchers and coaching staff could get Skippy the ball boy through six innings relatively unscathed. Or anyone else on the planet except for Jason Marquis.

Man did we steal that game last night. Still can't believe our friggin' backup catcher scored on a 150-foot sac fly. I'd be ticked right now if I was a Pirates fan.

And yet another big hit by Spiezio. He's becoming maybe my favorite bench player since the days when Jose Oquendo was the "Secret Weapon" instead of an insanely over-aggressive third-base coach.

Early game today, 11:30 start Central time. Wainwright on the mound for us. Don't miss it!

[Gervin]

Cant wait to see Wainy...i missed his 1st game

[kg2005]

He pitched well again, but what's wrong with Pujols??

[mizzoupacers]

Dunno what's wrong with Pujols, that is the biggest mystery of the early season.

OTOH...CHRIS DUNCAN!!!



Cardinals take the lead in the ninth.

EDIT: Cards win 3-2.

[kg2005]

Chris Duncan is perhaps my second favorite Cardinal. He is on my fantasy team.

[Gervin]

Pujols will come around...off on his worse stretch of his career...