10/8 GM 2 GDT: Phillies(Nola) vs Cardinals(Mikolas) 7:37 PM CT

[dmarx114]

I thought mvp voting took place before the playoffs, but that may have changed.

You are correct.

[Popeye_Card]

Just disappointment on my end. The Cardinals hadn’t been playing like a playoff team for the last few weeks. I was hoping they could turn it on come postseason, but the bats just didn’t come through.

Oh well. A beat down from the Braves or Dodgers was likely inevitable anyway.

[Magneto2.0]

I thought mvp voting took place before the playoffs, but that may have changed.

It does, we were referring to their September slumps.

[Magneto2.0]

Just disappointment on my end. The Cardinals hadn’t been playing like a playoff team for the last few weeks. I was hoping they could turn it on come postseason, but the bats just didn’t come through.

Oh well. A beat down from the Braves or Dodgers was likely inevitable anyway.

I think if Goldy and Arenado were right like they were in July and August, they would've gave them a great series. Especially if we kept getting this same type of pitching. But the way we were hitting over the last 6 weeks, even if we squeaked by the Phillies, a Braves sweep was for sure on the menu.

[Popeye_Card]

I keep going back to that National series, the team has never recovered or been the same since. They went from a team I thought was gonna really make a run to playing uninspiring baseball for 6 weeks.

They really need to add more professional bats. When Goldy and Arenado are slumping, this offense has nothing. We had to rely on 42 year old Pujols to save our bacon multiple times in September. That’s not good.

Gorman could develop into another dependable (though probably streaky) bat for the infield. The Cardinals can spend middle tier money and land a good OF or DH bat without having to shop in the luxury aisle they habitually avoid.

Nootbaar, Donovan, and Yepez are good players in a bench role that can start for a while if there’s an injury or slump. Edman is an OK starter thanks to his glove of the rest of the offense is clicking. TON is just not dependable - either health or streakiness. But you can’t just give up on his talent.

It will be an interesting offseason. Probably frustrating. Cardinals have a pretty good roster, but it will take some creativity and spending to reach the Braves and Dodgers.

[TGantz]

I paid attention to the team the most I have in probably 6 years. It was a fun season.

Oli was exposed for lack of experience IMO. Expecting Helsley to get 5 outs after being recently injured was inexcusable. I think I would have supported Wainwright going in over Helsley for the 9th. Or put Woodford on the roster over Dejong. Yepez shouldn't have played a single inning of OF defense in a must win game. DH or PH only. Maybe if Bader was still out there, but not with Nootbar in CF.

We need at least one intimidating power hitter. Not a scrappy turd nugget that will bloop it in the outfield after fouling it off five times. I want a hitter that would cause John Candy the same kind of stress as Cado or whatever his name is in the movie Rookie of the Year.

We need a starter that can shut things down. Quintana, Montgomery, and Mikolas all did pretty dang well. But those are 2-4 pitchers in your rotation. Let Wainwright walk, or be the #5 starter if he wants to come back. Flaherty has the stuff to be that guy, but not the durability.

Playoffs are won by defense, good pitching, and big hits. Other than Helsley, the pitching was great. Defense was nowhere near the elite level it should have been. No big hits besides Yepez in Game 1.

Depressing, but I'm ready to get some of these "unathletic" old guys out of here and get some young talent going. I don't want to hear anything else about Cardinal/devil magic. If it didn't happen this year, it is no longer a thing. It is time for a new era.

[Magneto2.0]

I keep going back to that National series, the team has never recovered or been the same since. They went from a team I thought was gonna really make a run to playing uninspiring baseball for 6 weeks.

They really need to add more professional bats. When Goldy and Arenado are slumping, this offense has nothing. We had to rely on 42 year old Pujols to save our bacon multiple times in September. That’s not good.

Gorman could develop into another dependable (though probably streaky) bat for the infield. The Cardinals can spend middle tier money and land a good OF or DH bat without having to shop in the luxury aisle they habitually avoid.

Nootbaar, Donovan, and Yepez are good players in a bench role that can start for a while if there’s an injury or slump. Edman is an OK starter thanks to his glove of the rest of the offense is clicking. TON is just not dependable - either health or streakiness. But you can’t just give up on his talent.

It will be an interesting offseason. Probably frustrating. Cardinals have a pretty good roster, but it will take some creativity and spending to reach the Braves and Dodgers.

I think if they really want to make a statement, they go after Trea Turner and Wilson Contreras. I think that puts us in the league of the Braves and Dodgers. But that's never been their style, so I doubt that happens. I do think an upgrade at catcher and a surefire power bat in the outfield are two slots they need to focus on. And another starter. Preferably someone who can be a game 1 starter. I don't think anyone else in the Central will be good, but with the balance schedule next year, we can't rely on feasting on mediocre to bad teams. We're gonna be facing a lot more competition from other divisions.

[Jocephus]

[jagtrader]

Get
A
Left-handed
Hitter.

FFS. It has been a gaping hole for half a decade.

[sighyoung]

I paid attention to the team the most I have in probably 6 years. It was a fun season.

Oli was exposed for lack of experience IMO. Expecting Helsley to get 5 outs after being recently injured was inexcusable. I think I would have supported Wainwright going in over Helsley for the 9th. Or put Woodford on the roster over Dejong. Yepez shouldn't have played a single inning of OF defense in a must win game. DH or PH only. Maybe if Bader was still out there, but not with Nootbar in CF.

We need at least one intimidating power hitter. Not a scrappy turd nugget that will bloop it in the outfield after fouling it off five times. I want a hitter that would cause John Candy the same kind of stress as Cado or whatever his name is in the movie Rookie of the Year.

We need a starter that can shut things down. Quintana, Montgomery, and Mikolas all did pretty dang well. But those are 2-4 pitchers in your rotation. Let Wainwright walk, or be the #5 starter if he wants to come back. Flaherty has the stuff to be that guy, but not the durability.

Playoffs are won by defense, good pitching, and big hits. Other than Helsley, the pitching was great. Defense was nowhere near the elite level it should have been. No big hits besides Yepez in Game 1.

Depressing, but I'm ready to get some of these "unathletic" old guys out of here and get some young talent going. I don't want to hear anything else about Cardinal/devil magic. If it didn't happen this year, it is no longer a thing. It is time for a new era.

It was a fun season, especially after the trade deadline. It was a terrific August, and magical to watch Pujols hit in August and September. As one of those who was most skeptical about his signing, I own my mistake, and was genuinely glad that he reached milestones and went out on his own terms.

Same with Molina. Wainwright a class act.

Marmol, hopefully, will learn on the job.

After the September offensive outage, I really didn't expect the team to go deep into the playoffs. I would like more offensive balance: the team would run hot and cold, and really relied on Goldschmidt, Arenado, or Pujols to carry the team. O'Neill's and Carlson's regressions were really disappointing.

I agree about a #1 starter. When Carpenter or Wainwright were the team aces, I really felt comfortable going into a short series. As you say, Quintana, Montgomery, and Mikolas did well, but I sure would love an ace.

This was a transition year that worked out pretty darn well. Molina will be gone, so there's a decision to be made about starting catcher. DeJong is toast, and while Edman has earned a starting spot and Gorman is a definite possibility at 2nd, I still would like the team to look at shortstop alternatives while keeping Edman.

Outfield feels unsettled to me. O'Neill needs to be able to stay healthy and productive. Carlson is still young, so hopefully will have a better year next year.